Kevin O’Leary Biography Terrence Thomas Kevin O’Leary born July 9, 1954, commonly known as Mr. Wonderful, is a Canadian businessman, investor, television personality, journalist, and author. From 2004 to 2014, he appeared on several Canadian television shows, including business news programs like SqueezePlay and The Lang and O’Leary Exchange, along with reality shows such as Dragons’ Den and Redemption Inc. He also featured on Discovery Channel’s Project Earth in 2008. Since 2009, O’Leary has been a prominent figure on Shark Tank, the American counterpart of Dragons’ Den. O’Leary co-founded SoftKey Software Products, a technology company focused on family-oriented educational software. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, SoftKey became a key player in the global educational software market, acquiring rival companies like Compton’s New Media, The Learning Company, and Broderbund through hostile takeovers.
Kevin O’Leary Biography
Kevin O’Leary is a Canadian businessman, investor, journalist, author, financial commentator, and television personality, widely recognized for his roles on Shark Tank (2009), Dragons’ Den (2006), and The Lang & O’Leary Exchange (2012). Often referred to as Canada’s business equivalent of Donald Trump, O’Leary has established himself as one of the country’s most influential entrepreneurs, investors, and financial experts. He is the co-founder and Chairman of O’Leary Funds and co-founder of Softkey. With a net worth of $400 million, O’Leary has made a significant impact in both the business and media worlds.
Kevin O’Leary Biography Details
| Born | Terrence Thomas Kevin O’Leary July 9, 1954 (age 70) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Other names | Mr. Wonderful |
| Citizenship | Canada Ireland United Arab Emirates |
| Alma mater | University of Waterloo (BES) University of Western Ontario (MBA) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, investor, author, television personality |
| Known for | Reality TV host, CNBC and BNN contributor |
| Political party | Conservative (2004–present) Liberal (before 2004) |
| Spouse | Linda Greer (m. 1990) |
| Children | 2 |
| Category | Singers Bio |
About Kevin O’Leary
Terrence Thomas Kevin O’Leary, sometimes known as Mr. Wonderful, is a Canadian businessman, investor, television personality, journalist, and author.
- Born: 9 July 1954 (age 70 years), Montreal, Canada
- Spouse: Linda O’Leary (m. 1990)
- Children: Trevor O’Leary, Savannah O’Leary
- Education: Ivey Business School, Nepean High School, University of Waterloo, Western University
- Height: 77 m
- Parents: Terry O’Leary, Georgette O’Leary
- Nickname: Wonderful
Early Life and Education
O’Leary was born on July 9, 1954, in Montreal, to Georgette (née Bookalam), a small-business owner and investor of Lebanese descent, and Terry O’Leary, a salesman of Irish descent. He has a brother named Shane O’Leary. Because of his Irish ancestry, O’Leary holds both Canadian and Irish citizenship. O’Leary has dyslexia, which he believes contributed positively to his success in business. Growing up in Mount Royal, Quebec, O’Leary’s parents divorced when he was a child, partly due to his father’s struggles with alcoholism. His father passed away when O’Leary was just seven years old. Following his father’s death, his mother took over the family’s clothing business.
How Kevin O’Leary Became Rich
O’Leary’s path to wealth began in 1986 when he founded Softkey Software Products, which launched his career and net worth to new heights. In the 1990s, Softkey gained a competitive edge by acquiring rival companies, a strategy that O’Leary has likened to using money as “soldiers” sent into battle to bring in more wealth. In 1999, Mattel acquired Softkey for $4.2 billion, catapulting O’Leary into the spotlight. Following this, he launched other ventures like Storage Now, O’Leary Fine Wines, and O’Leary Ventures, and he also became a bestselling author of Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women & Money, along with two other books.
O’Leary’s Business Ventures
In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, O’Leary owns several companies, including O’Leary Fine Wines, an award-winning wine label, and O’Leary Ventures, a private investment firm.
Is Kevin O’Leary Buying TikTok?
In January 2024, O’Leary revealed plans to buy TikTok’s U.S. assets, aiming to protect user privacy and empower creators and small businesses. He hopes to complete the deal before the platform faces a potential ban in the U.S. He has also expressed interest in partnering with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt on the deal.
Kevin O’Leary’s Investments
As a Shark Tank investor, O’Leary has built an impressive portfolio. Some notable investments include Basepaws (a cat DNA-testing company), BenjiLock (a fingerprint-accessible padlock), and over 40 additional investments, according to Sharkalytics.
The Rise of “Mr. Wonderful”
O’Leary earned the nickname “Mr. Wonderful” during the first season of Shark Tank. The title came about after he made an aggressive offer for a publishing deal, to which fellow investor Barbara Corcoran jokingly responded, “Well, aren’t you Mr. Wonderful?” O’Leary embraced it, and the moniker stuck, though it’s often used sarcastically due to his tough, no-nonsense persona. O’Leary defends his approach, saying, “I’m the only guy who tells the truth all the time. I care about your money, not your feelings.”
Kevin O’Leary’s Best Shark Tank Investment
O’Leary has made numerous successful investments on the show, including his most profitable deal with Plated, a meal-delivery service. After initially turning down the founders in 2014, he later invested in them, leading to a $300 million acquisition by Albertsons, providing O’Leary with a 1,346% return. Other notable successes include Wicked Good Cupcakes, which reached $10 million in sales, and Groovebook, which sold to Shutterfly for $14.5 million.
Worst Shark Tank Investment
Not every deal has been a success. O’Leary lost $500,000 on one investment when a business partner burned through the initial $250,000 he had invested, and despite his gut feeling telling him not to invest more, he put in another $250,000. This money also ended up being lost. O’Leary now emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s instincts when making investment decisions.
Kevin O’Leary’s Earnings on Shark Tank
In 2016, Variety reported that O’Leary, along with the other sharks, earned $50,000 per episode of Shark Tank. Given the show’s continued success, it’s likely that his pay has risen since then.
Is Kevin O’Leary the Richest Shark?
While O’Leary has seen tremendous success, he is not the wealthiest Shark Tank investor. That title goes to Mark Cuban, whose net worth is an impressive $5.7 billion, according to Forbes.
Kevin O’Leary Net Worth 2025
As of 2025, Kevin O’Leary’s estimated net worth is $400 million.