Robert Herjavec Net Worth in 2024: How the ‘Shark Tank’ Star Made His Millions in the Tech Industry

Businessman Robert Herjavec has made a name for himself by appearing on the hit ABC series Shark Tank. He also appeared on the British equivalent of the series, Dragon’s Den, showcasing his knack for evaluating and investing in promising business ventures.

Robert Herjavec’s role in both series represents just a fraction of his contributions to the business community. His life story, career achievements, and ongoing efforts to mentor new businesses embody the spirit of innovation and persistence that is at the heart of entrepreneurship. This also sparks the curious question of what is Robert Herjavec’s net worth. Read on to find out.

Early Life

Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1963, in Varazdin, Croatia. Having grown up in what was formerly Yugoslavia, Herjavec’s family faced hardships, especially his father. His father was frequently jailed for speaking out against communism, which led them to migrate to Canada. According to the Shark Tank investor, his family arrived in Canada with only $20 and a single suitcase.

“I came from Croatia, where my dad would tell me he was a political prisoner,” Herjavec told Fortune in a 2016 interview. “He’d drink a little too much, say bad things about Communism, and got thrown into jail 22 times for being an anti-Communist. In 1970 he escaped from jail, grabbed my mom and me, and we hightailed it out of there. I was 8 years old.”

His family settled in Toronto, and his father found a job at a factory. Because Herjavec could barely speak English when he attended school, he was often teased by his classmates. It was especially challenging even more so because Herjavec was in a lower economic class compared to his classmates. They lived in a basement for a year after migrating to Canada.

Herjavec attended the University of Toronto, graduating in 1984 with a degree in political science and English literature. Because of the lack of opportunities his degree presented, Herjavec would wait tables, deliver newspapers, and take on other minimum-wage jobs to help support his family.

Career

Robert Herjavec eventually found his way into the film industry, becoming a third assistant director. Because of the lengthy time in between projects, Herjavec needed to earn money to get by, taking various jobs. At one point, Herjavec sold computer equipment for the firm Logiquest. Despite having no qualifications, Herjavec convinced them to take him as an unpaid intern for six months, eventually climbing up the corporate ranks to become the general manager.

In 1990, Herjavec left Logiquest to start his own company, BRAK Systems, which sold internet security software. Herjavec started the business from his basement, and by 2000, the company was sold to AT&T Canada for over $30 million. He then worked at Ramp Network as head of sales for a few years. Ramp Network was eventually sold to Nokia for $225 million.

By 2003, Herjavec returned to entrepreneurial work by launching his own business again.

This time, Herjavec’s next project was The Herjavec Group which would become his most successful venture. In 2020, The Herjavec Group was one of the fastest-growing software companies in Canada. The company also became Canada’s largest provider of internet security software. This was despite the slow start, from generating $400,000 in sales in its first year to around $200 million in revenue by 2017.

Investments

Herjavec has also invested in real estate. In 2000, during his first marriage, Herjavec purchased a mansion in the Toronto neighborhood, The Birdle Path, for $7 million. Herjavec sold the estate for $17.4 million in 2020. The year before selling the mansion, Herjavec bought a home in Hidden Hills, California, in 2019 for $14.6 million.

In February 2021, Herjavec listed the Hidden Hills property for $17.5 million. He accepted a $17 million offer for it in May 2021.

Herjavec was revealed to have bought a 6,200-square-foot condo in New York City in July 2021. The condo is in the building known as One57, and Herjavec purchased the condo for $34.5 million. Coincidentally, the seller of the condo was represented by Herjavec’s fellow shark’s real estate firm, The Corcoran Group.

In January 2023, Herjavec purchased a new mansion in Hidden Hills for $26 million. The mansion is 14,700 square feet on 7.4 acres of land. Herjavec and his wife, Kym Johnson, also have homes in Newport Beach, California, and Toronto.

Shark Tank

Robert Herjavec would later become even more popular when he appeared as one of the sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank. Herjavec also appeared in another similar program, Dragon’s Den as one of the dragons (the British version of Shark Tank). On Shark Tank, Herjavec was joined by fellow entrepreneurs Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, and Barbara Corcoran.

During his time with the series, one of Herjavec’s most successful investments was $100,000 in a company called Tipsy Elves. The investment was in exchange for a 10% equity share. It would work out in his favor as the company generated $70 million in sales since its launch.

Overall, Herjavec has invested $16 million in small businesses on Shark Tank. In 2023, he also announced that he was joining Shark Tank Australia and returning to Dragon’s Den.

Other Business Ventures

Adding to Robert Herjavec’s net worth are a number of self-help / financial advice books that he’s authored over the years. In 2010, Herjavec published “Driven: How to Succeed in Business and Life.” Three years later, in 2013, he published “The Will to Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding.”

Herjavec has also given presentations based on the principles he detailed in his 2013 book. And by 2016, Herjavec published a third book, “You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success.”

Personal Life

Herjavec married his first wife, Diane Plese, in 1990. They ended up divorcing in 2016. Herjavec and Plese share three children: two daughters and a son. Plese received child support payments as part of the divorce, but the sum increased in 2019. As a result, it’s reported that Plese received $25 million in compensation.

The dissolution of his marriage led to Herjavec falling into depression and suicidal thoughts. It was during this time that Herjavec got involved in philanthropy, donating to a homeless shelter in Seattle.

In 2015, Herjavec met Australian dancer Kym Johnson when he was a contestant in Dancing With the Stars. The pair finished sixth place and eventually dated and married. Herjavec and Johnson welcomed twins in 2017.

Herjavec also loves to collect cars. His collection includes a 1958 Porsche 356, a 2019 Porche Speedster, a 2020 Ford GT, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GTR Black Series P One edition, a 1971 Ferrari Daytona, and a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari.

Robert Herjavec’s Net Worth in 2024

As of 2024, it’s reported that Robert Herjavec’s net worth is estimated at $300 million. Compared to his fellow sharks, Herjavec isn’t the richest, as Mark Cuban retains the title of having the highest net worth among them.