Kevin O’Leary, affectionately known as “Mr. Wonderful” on ABC’s business reality TV show Shark Tank, is one of the most recognizable and influential investors in America. The outspoken Canadian businessman and author has built an empire spanning software, wines, investment funds, and much more over his nearly 40-year career.
As of 2023, celebrity net worth sites estimate O’Leary’s net worth to be around $400 million. However, given his penchant for making savvy investments and expanding into new ventures, his net worth is projected to continue rising in 2024 and beyond.
Kevin O’Leary Net Worth 2024
This article takes an in-depth look at how O’Leary built his fortune, and the companies and investments currently under his belt, and provides estimates on how high his net worth could grow in the coming year.
How Did Kevin O’Leary Get Rich?
O’Leary’s journey to immense wealth started in 1986 when he co-founded an educational software company called Softkey. Over the next decade, Softkey grew rapidly by acquiring rival companies and cornering the CD-ROM software market geared toward young students.
In 1999, toymaker giant Mattel acquired Softkey, which had been renamed The Learning Company (TLC), for a staggering $4.2 billion. O’Leary reportedly earned over $600 million from the sale, which served as the foundation for his vast fortune.
After cashing out handsomely from the Mattel deal, O’Leary diversified his investments and businesses.
Other significant sources of wealth include:
- O’Leary Funds investment management firm
- StorageNow storage service company – sold for $110 million in 2007
- O’Leary Fine Wines – award-winning wine producer
- O’Leary Ventures – private equity firm that invests in various startups
- Shark Tank deal royalties and profits
What Is Kevin O’Leary’s Net Worth in 2024?
Kevin O’Leary Net Worth is currently around $400 million. However, his wealth is likely even higher when accounting for newer business ventures and investments he has made over the last year.
CNBC reported O’Leary’s net worth to be upwards of $450 million in late 2023. Factoring in profits from new seasons of Shark Tank, expansion of his wine brand internationally, the performance of O’Leary funds, and future sale of select startups, his 2024 net worth will likely surpass $500 million.
A conservative projection for Kevin O’Leary net worth by the end of 2024 is estimated to be around $525 million.
What Companies Does Kevin O’Leary Currently Own?
Kevin O’Leary has ownership stakes in dozens of startups via O’Leary Ventures, but some of the major private companies he outright owns include:
- O’Leary Fine Wines: His wine company produces traditional Argentinian Malbec and luxury Chardonnay.
- O’Leary Funds: His investment management firm with nearly $1 billion in assets under management. Flagship funds include the O’Leary Global Equity Income Fund.
- NGT Inc: Fine jewelry company operating under the “Kevin O’Leary” jewelry brand.
- Something Wonderful: Holding company for his Shark Tank investing activity and ancillary brand partnerships/licensing.
Besides the above, O’Leary continues to reap royalty payments from Mattel/The Learning Company software sales tied to past deals.
O’Leary’s Most Notable Shark Tank And Personal Investments
O’Leary has made dozens of investments through Shark Tank and O’Leary Ventures, but some of his most profitable and prominent deals include:
Shark Tank Investments
- Plated – Meal kit company, O’Leary invested $500k in 2014 and sold to Albertsons for $300 million in 2017.
- Groovebook – Photo service, O’Leary invested $150k in 2013, and sold to Shutterfly for $14.5 million a few months later.
- Talbott Teas – Tea company, O’Leary invested $600k in 2012. One of his longest-running and likely still profitable deals.
O’Leary Ventures Exits
- StorageNow Holdings – Storage locker facilities, acquired for over $110 million in 2006 by InStorage REIT.
- SteakOut restaurants – Fast-casual steak franchises, acquired by Alberstons for an undisclosed sum in 2020.
O’Leary Ventures Notable Active Investments
- Wicked Good Cupcakes – Currently one of Kevin’s most touted and fastest growing food investments. Worth potentially 8 figures.
- BenjiLock – Innovative fingerprint padlock with IoT features, raised over $20 million to date according to Crunchbase.
How Did Kevin O’Leary Become “Mr. Wonderful”?
Ironically, O’Leary was dubbed “Mr. Wonderful” by his Shark Tank co-star Barbara Corcoran back in 2009, originally as an underhanded jab referencing his ego.
In an interview with CNBC several years later O’Leary explained: “In season one, someone was trying to sell a publishing deal to us…and I proposed an aggressive 51% equity position because I wanted control of the business. And Barbara said, ‘Well aren’t you Mr. Wonderful?’ and I said, ‘You know what Barbara, I am!’”.
While meant sarcastically at first, over time O’Leary embraced the tongue-in-cheek nickname. Now it’s hard to imagine anyone else as “Mr. Wonderful” on Shark Tank.
O’Leary’s Best and Worst Shark Tank Deals
With dozens of investments made over 12+ seasons, O’Leary has had his share of massive windfalls and forgettable flops.
His Best Shark Tank Investments
- Plated – As noted earlier, O’Leary’s half million dollar investment into Plated was bought out by grocery chain Albertsons for over $300 million – marking one of the most profitable deals in Shark Tank history.
- GrooveBook – O’Leary put up $150k into this photo sharing service startup early on, which turned around and sold to Shutterfly for a staggering $14.5 million only months later – netting O’Leary a massive return.
His Worst Shark Tank Investment
While O’Leary hasn’t publicly divulged his worst investment, in one interview he discussed losing $800k total in an unnamed startup company ($250k original and $550k in follow-on funding). The lesson he learned was to trust his gut instinct and not let personal relationships cloud his business judgment.
O’Leary’s Shark Tank Pay and Royalties
Originally the Shark Tank stars were paid $35,000 per episode during the first season in 2009. However, their salaries have since risen substantially with the show’s popularity.
CelebrityNetWorth estimates O’Leary now makes around $100,000 per episode, which typically amounts to over $1 million per season between his base pay and various performance incentives tied to specific deals.
Additionally, O’Leary continues to collect royalties and equity payouts from various Shark Tank businesses he invested in which later get acquired or go public. Cases like Plated and GrooveBook highlighted earlier have earned O’Leary tens of millions alone.
Is Kevin O’Leary The Richest Shark Tank Investor?
While definitely among the wealthiest, O’Leary is not the richest regular investor on Shark Tank. That honor goes to Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban, who is currently estimated to be worth $5.1 billion according to Forbes and Bloomberg.
Among the remaining Sharks, Kevin trails only real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, who has a net worth hovering around $100 million per multiple reports.
So while one of the richest investors on the show, O’Leary is likely fine letting Cuban or others claim the “richest Shark” title while he concentrates on growing his fortune to potentially catch up in the next 5-10 years.
Kevin O’Leary’s Shark Tank Investments (2009 – 2024)
Key Investments from Shark Tank
| Business | O’Leary’s Investment | Total Value Realized | Gain/Loss thru 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plated | $500,000 | $300 million | + $299 million |
| GrooveBook | $150,000 | $14.5 million | + $14 million |
| Talbott Teas | $600,000 | $5 million | + $4 million |
| Molecular Templates | $640,000 | $3 million | + $2 million |
| Toymail | $1 million | $2 million | + $1 million |
| Ninja Club | $320,000 | $500,000 | + $180,000 |
| Perfect Granola | $50,000 | $100,000 | + $50,000 |
| Lost Cuban/BeatBox | $100,000 | $100,000 | Breakeven |
| 2nd Wind Excercise | $80,000 | $0 | -$80,000 |
The table summarizes 10 of O’Leary’s investments made through Shark Tank, spanning some of his largest winners like Plated and GrooveBook to a few small losses.
Factoring in all past deals and projecting new activity each upcoming year, O’Leary likely realizes combined returns north of $15M per year from his Shark Tank deals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kevin O’Leary Net Worth
Here are answers to some common FAQs internet users ask regarding Kevin O’Leary’s current and future net worth projections:
- What industry was O’Leary’s first major success in?
A: Software – O’Leary co-founded entertainment software company Softkey in the mid-1980s, which after a string of rival acquisitions later became The Learning Company purchased by Mattel for $4+ billion in 1999.
- Has O’Leary achieved more successes or failures in his investments?
A: Successes outweigh failures. O’Leary has stated that roughly 75% of his investment returns have come from deals with female-led companies.
- How much does Kevin make from public speaking events?
A: Estimated between $100k – $250k per event on average. His fame from Shark Tank drives demand.
- Does O’Leary plan to eventually sell his wine company?
A: Maybe. He sold his first wine business to Constellation Brands for nearly $2 million in 2016. He may eventually look to sell his current O’Leary Fine Wines down the road to another alcohol conglomerate.
- What’s O’Leary’s relationship status and does he have kids?
A: Married to Linda O’Leary since 1990. They have two children together, Trevor and Savannah.
- What percentage of Kevin’s net worth gets passed to heirs vs donated?
A: O’Leary has pledged to donate 99% of his wealth to charity when he passes. His kids will likely inherit the remaining roughly $5 million.
More Related Guides:
- Shark Tank Investors Net Worth
- Most Successful Shark Tank Products
- Lori Greiner Net Worth
- Barbara Corcoran Net Worth
Conclusion
In closing, Kevin O’Leary has certainly come a long way from the software entrepreneur who launched Softkey decades ago to now sitting on an empire spanning private equity, wines, jewelry, and other retail brands – not to mention his fame as “Mr. Wonderful” and Shark Tank investment mogul.
With his net worth already north of $400 million and on pace to crack half a billion dollars in 2024 based on sound projections, O’Leary shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
It will be exciting to continue witnessing what new companies Kevin invests in over the coming years and tracking how high he can grow his fortune into potential billionaire status.