Jozsef Varadi grew up in Soviet-controlled Hungary, where his family faced difficulties because of his father's role in the 1956 revolution. His father was sent to prison and struggled to find steady work afterward. His mother worked factory shifts to support the family. Varadi says this experience taught him that circumstances can change quickly.
After graduating from university in 1989, Varadi eventually joined Procter & Gamble, where he spent a decade. He later became the head of Malev Hungarian Airlines, but a government change forced him out in 2003. Within months, he founded Wizz Air. He expected Hungary's approaching entry into the European Union to increase demand for low-cost flights.
Wizz Air now operates 265 aircraft, serving nearly 200 airports across 50 countries. It has carried more than 550 million passengers. Varadi, who is 60, earned $4.4 million last year. Despite his success, he has no plans to retire and wants to continue building the business.
His usual morning includes a 30-minute treadmill run before work. He lives about 15 minutes from the office and generally eats lunch in the company cafeteria. The father of four also makes time for his family, although his job has meant missing events and spending nights away. He believes that balancing life's priorities depends on individual choices rather than one rule for everyone.
