Robert Herjavec is a Canadian successful businessman and entrepreneur. He is popularly known as Shark on the reality show Shark Tank Australia and Dragon on CBC’s Dragon’s Den.
He runs his two companies BRAK Systems and Herjavec Group with an estimated net worth of $300 million.
We will look at his life and career, so stick around to learn more about his journey.
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Who is Robert Herjavec?
Robert Herjavec wears multiple hats in the business world. He is the CEO and Founder of Herjavec Group, a prominent global cybersecurity firm.
He is a leading investor or Shark on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas for investment.
Robert is a bestselling author and has penned three books. He has appeared as a Dragon on CBC’s Dragon’s Den where he showed his expertise in rates and investing in startups.
His career expands around technology, entrepreneurship, and investment which makes him a prominent figure in both the business and entertainment world.
He has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years.
Robert Herjavec Early Life and Education
Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1962, in Varazdin, Croatia, Southeastern Europe. He has faced many challenges since childhood.
At the age of 8, he moved to Canada from his hometown with his family.
It was a challenge for him as he did not know the English language and it was difficult for him to manage there. His parent’s names are Vladimir Herjavec and Katica Herjavec.
His father got thrown into jail several times for being anti-Communist. They settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before eventually relocating to Toronto, Ontario.
He and his family shifted to a family friend’s home basement and they had only $20 at that time. His father used to work at the wage of $76 for a week in a factory in Mississauga.
He is a Canadian by nationality as he was born in Croatia which was part of Yugoslavia at the time of his birth. His ethnicity is Croatian.
Robert attended New College at the University of Toronto and pursued his degree in English Literature and political science in 1984.
After completing his academic years, he used to do odd jobs to fulfill and help his family financially.
He used to work on minimum wage jobs such as delivering newspapers, retail sales, waiting tables, and debt collection.
Robert Herjavec Height and Weight
Robert Herjavec stands tall at a height of 5 feet 9 inches which is equivalent to 175 centimeters or 1.75 meters.
He weighs around 75 kilograms which is equivalent to 165 pounds. He seems very healthy, charismatic, energetic, and young at this age, all because of his good diet and healthy lifestyle.
Robert Herjavec Age
Robert Herjavec is 62 years old as of 2024 because he came into the world on September 14, 1962, in Varazdin, Croatia, Southeastern Europe.
According to his birthday, he falls under the Virgo zodiac sign.
Robert Herjavec Early Career
Robert Herjavec began his career in the film industry shortly after completing college.
He played a role along with Tom Laughlin, the creator of Billy Jack, and also worked as a field producer for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo which was then part of Yugoslavia.
However, Herjavec made a career shift into the technology sector after a conversation with a friend who missed out on a job opportunity at a tech company offering a promising $30,000 annual salary.
Then, Herjavec applied for a position at the same company, despite lacking qualifications.
He managed to secure the job by offering to work for free for the first six months, during which he absorbed as much knowledge about the technology industry as possible. To support himself during this period, Herjavec worked as a waiter at night.
Even though Herjavec did not have all the right qualifications at first, he worked hard and moved up in the company. He became the president. But then, unexpectedly, he got fired in 1990.
Robert Herjavec as a Businessman and Tech Expert
Robert Herjavec career as a businessman and tech expert began after he left his job at Logiquest.
Together with Warren Avis, the founder of Avis Rent a Car, he entered into entrepreneurship because he needed to pay his mortgage.
In a 2012 interview with Inc. Magazine, Herjavec says that getting fired from Logiquest pushed him to start his own business, even though he never saw himself as a leader.
He sold his share in the business with Avis for $60,000 and then started BRAK Systems from scratch in his basement.
BRAK Systems quickly became Canada’s top Internet security company and was eventually bought by AT&T, Inc. for $30.2 million.
After that, Herjavec joined Ramp Network as Vice President of Sales and Nokia later bought the company for a huge $225 million.
In 2003, he founded the Herjavec Group which is based on information security services and it became a big success in his career which has made around $103.3 million in sales each year.
In 2021, a big part of the Herjavec Group was sold to Apax Partners but Herjavec stayed on as CEO.
Aside from his business, Herjavec became famous through TV shows like Dragon’s Den, where he listened to business pitches, and Shark Tank, where he invested in small companies.
He has put more than $16 million into various businesses over the years. In 2023, he announced he was going back to Dragon’s Den and joining Shark Tank Australia.
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Robert Herjavec as Author
Robert Herjavec has authored three books that are very inspiring and helpful for readers, especially for budding entrepreneurs and businessmen.
Here are listed his books are:
- You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success (2016)
- The Will To Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding (2013)
- Driven: How to Succeed in Business and in Life (2010)
Why is Robert Herjavec Considered Successful and Famous?
- Robert Herjavec is considered successful and famous due to his exceptional business skills which have led to the founding of his successful companies like BRAK Systems and the Herjavec Group.
- His appearances as an investor on popular television shows such as Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank have raised his fame and made his reputation as a successful entrepreneur.
- Robert actively supports charitable causes through philanthropic efforts which makes his public image and contributes to his fame.
- His inspiring journey from humble beginnings to achieving millionaire status serves as motivation for many budding entrepreneurs and also adds to his fame and success.
Robert Herjavec Net Worth
Robert Herjavec has an estimated net worth of $300 million as of 2024. With his high-end luxury, he follows a lavish and comfortable lifestyle along with his wife Kym, and children.
Through his social media, he shares pictures of vacations and travel insights.
He has many luxurious and branded things like sports cars, Lamborghini, a private jet, a big house, and more, which shows his net worth and continued financial growth every year.
How did Robert Herjavec Make Money?
Robert Herjavec makes money from his various sources:
- Entrepreneurship: Robert has founded and operated several successful businesses in the technology sector such as BRAK Systems and the Herjavec Group which provide information security services.
- Investments: Robert is known for his role as an investor on television shows like Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank. Through these platforms, he invests his money in promising businesses and earns returns on his investments.
- Television Appearances: Robert earns income from his appearances on television shows, where he shows his expertise in business and entrepreneurship.
- Speaking Engagements: As a successful entrepreneur and investor, Robert is in demand as a speaker for various events, conferences, and seminars. He earns income through speaking fees for sharing his knowledge and insights with audiences.
- Book Sales: Robert has authored books on entrepreneurship, business, and personal development, which generate revenue through sales and royalties.
Robert Herjavec Wife and Children
Robert Herjavec is married to Kym Johnson, an actress whom he met during the rehearsals of the show Dancing with the Stars in 2015, where she was a contestant.
Following their meeting, they began dating and entered into a relationship.
Their engagement took place four months before their wedding on July 31, 2016, in Los Angeles, California.
Kym is recognized for her roles in films such as Christmas with the Knights, The Wedding Planners, and Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens.
Kym is 47 years old as of 2023 because she was born on August 4, 1976, in Sydney, Australia.
They share the joy of parenthood with their twin children: a son named Hudson Robert and a daughter named Haven Mae.
The twins were born on April 23, 2018, in the United States, with a mere 1-minute difference between their births. Hudson and Haven are 6 years old as of 2024.
Before marrying Kym, Robert was previously married to his first wife, Diane Plese, a Canadian optometrist. Their marriage began in the early 1990s but ended in divorce in 2016 after 26 years together.
The decision to separate was announced in July 2014 but they got the divorce and officially separated in 2016.
Diane received a $25 million alimony settlement from Robert following their divorce and separation. Diane is 64 years old as of 2023 because she was born in 1959 in Parkdale, Toronto, Canada.
Together, they are parents to three children, including a son named Brendan and two daughters named Caprice and Skye.
Who is the First Wife of Robert Herjavec?
Robert Herjavec first wife is Diane Plese, a Canadian optometrist. They married in the early 1990s and ended their 26-year marriage with a divorce in 2016.
Diane received a $25 million alimony settlement after their separation.
Their decision to part ways was publicly announced in July 2014 and finalized their divorce two years later.
Social Media Handles
Robert Herjavec has made his online presence on various platforms of social media with a massive following. His social media accounts are:
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