Kevin O’Leary is a household name thanks to his appearances on popular television shows, such as “Shark Tank” and “Dragon’s Den.” But before becoming a reality TV star, O’Leary had a successful career as a businessman and investor.
O’Leary was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1954. He showed an interest in business and finance at a young age, and his parents recognized his entrepreneurial spirit. O’Leary attended university in Toronto and went on to work in investment banking. In 1986, he co-founded SoftKey Software Products, which eventually became The Learning Company. The company was sold to Mattel for $4.2 billion in 1999, making O’Leary a multi-millionaire. He continued to build his wealth through various business ventures and investments, including his own mutual fund company, O’Leary Funds.
While O’Leary’s success in the business world is undeniable, it wasn’t until he became a regular on “Dragon’s Den” in 2006 that he gained widespread recognition. His blunt and no-nonsense approach on the show, combined with his often controversial opinions and sharp business acumen, quickly made him a fan favorite. This led to him being cast as one of the “sharks” on the American version of the show
