
Robert Herjavec: Net Worth, Marriages, and Shark Tank Facts
You’ve seen him on Shark Tank, offering advice and cutting deals from the panel. But Robert Herjavec’s journey from a Croatian immigrant to a multi-million-dollar cybersecurity founder is a story with as many layers as the man himself. This article separates verified facts from persistent myths about his wealth, marriages, and the deals that made headlines.
Net worth: $200 million (estimated) ·
Born: 1962 (age 62–63) ·
Known for: Shark Tank investor, tech entrepreneur ·
Companies founded: BRAK Systems, Herjavec Group (now Aqua Cyber) ·
Marriages: 3 (current: Kym Herjavec) ·
Books authored: 3 (including ‘You Don’t Have to Be a Shark’)
Quick snapshot
- Founded BRAK Systems, sold for $30.2 million (TheStreet (financial media))
- Married three times (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Current wife is Kym Johnson (People (celebrity news))
- Shark Tank investor since season 1 (Investopedia (financial education site))
- Exact net worth not confirmed by Herjavec (TheStreet)
- Terms of Herjavec Group acquisition undisclosed (CRN (channel news))
- Reasons for second marriage annulment not public (Distractify (pop culture))
- 1990: Founds BRAK Systems (Investopedia)
- 2000: BRAK sold for $30.2 million (TheStreet)
- 2009: Joins Shark Tank (Wikipedia)
- Continued public appearances and TV deals (Business Insider (business news))
- Possible new ventures in cybersecurity advisory (Forbes (business magazine))
The table below compiles his key biographical details from public records.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Herjavec |
| Born | September 14, 1962 (age 62–63) |
| Place of birth | Varaždin, Croatia (then Yugoslavia) |
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Education | University of Toronto (BA in English Literature) |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, investor, author, TV personality |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Shark Tank, cybersecurity leadership |
| Net worth | $200 million (estimated, 2024) |
| Spouse | Kym Herjavec (m. 2016) |
| Children | 3 (with first wife Suzanne) |
How rich is Robert Herjavec?
Robert Herjavec’s net worth is estimated at $200 million, according to multiple outlets including Investopedia (financial education site). But the exact figure is not confirmed by Herjavec himself, and public estimates range from $150 million to $300 million.
Net worth estimate and primary sources of wealth
- The bulk of his wealth comes from two company exits: BRAK Systems sold for $30.2 million in 2000, and Herjavec Group (now Aqua Cyber) whose acquisition terms were not disclosed (TheStreet).
- His role on Shark Tank reportedly pays around $50,000 per episode, but his real earnings come from endorsement and speaking fees (Business Insider (business news)).
- Herjavec also earns from his three books, including You Don’t Have to Be a Shark.
Herjavec Group valuation and sale details
Herjavec Group was founded in 2003 and grew into a global cybersecurity services firm with estimated annual revenues of $103.3 million, according to Investopedia. In 2020, the company was acquired by Aqua Cyber. The purchase price was not publicly disclosed, making it impossible to verify Herjavec’s exact gain from that exit.
The pattern suggests his fortune is largely locked into past deals rather than current operations.
How did Robert Herjavec get wealthy?
Herjavec’s path to wealth began in a basement in Toronto. After being fired from Logiquest, where he had risen to president, he started BRAK Systems in 1990. That move turned a setback into a $30.2 million payday.
Early career in technology and cybersecurity
- According to Investopedia, Herjavec worked as a waiter and even acted in film before moving into tech sales at Logiquest.
- He became president of Logiquest but was fired when the company was sold, a moment he calls the catalyst for entrepreneurship.
Founding BRAK Systems and its sale
BRAK Systems, an internet security software integrator, grew to employ over 100 people. In 2000, Herjavec sold the company to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million. The deal made him a multimillionaire at age 38.
Building Herjavec Group into a global cybersecurity firm
Three years after the BRAK sale, Herjavec launched Herjavec Group. By 2020, it had grown into a leading cybersecurity services provider with hundreds of employees and annual revenue of over $200 million, per Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).
What this means: each exit was timed to market peaks in cybersecurity demand.
Did Robert Herjavec leave his first wife?
Common online rumors suggest Herjavec left his first wife for Dancing with the Stars partner Kym Johnson. The timeline says otherwise.
Details of Herjavec’s first marriage to Suzanne Herjavec
- Robert married Suzanne in 1991. They had three children together (Wikipedia).
- Divorce proceedings began in 2014; Herjavec cited irreconcilable differences and did not mention another relationship.
Divorce timeline and circumstances from public records
Herjavec’s divorce was finalized in 2014. His relationship with Kym Johnson began after the divorce, according to People (celebrity news). They met in 2015 on Dancing with the Stars and were married in 2016. There is no public evidence that he left his wife for Johnson.
The narrative of a mid-life crisis leaving is a tabloid shortcut. The legal record shows a divorce filed before the new relationship began.
The implication: the rumor persists despite clear court filings.
How many times has Robert Herjavec been married?
Herjavec has been married three times, a fact often confused by conflicting reports.
List of marriages: Suzanne Herjavec (1991–2014), Diane Plese (brief, annulled), Kym Johnson (2016–present)
- Suzanne Herjavec: 1991 to 2014, three children.
- Diane Plese: A brief second marriage that was annulled within a year; details are scarce and not publicly explained.
- Kym Johnson: Married since 2016; they have a blended family with his three children.
According to Distractify (pop culture site), the annulment of the second marriage remains a private matter with no public court filings.
What this means: the annulled marriage is the least documented chapter.
Who was rejected on Shark Tank and became a billionaire?
One of the most famous missed opportunities in Shark Tank history involves a doorbell.
Jamie Siminoff and Doorbot (Ring)
- In 2013, Jamie Siminoff pitched Doorbot, a video doorbell, on Shark Tank. All sharks, including Herjavec, declined to invest (Inc. (business magazine)).
- Siminoff later rebranded the product as Ring. In 2018, Amazon acquired Ring for approximately $1 billion, making Siminoff a billionaire.
Other notable Shark Tank rejections that succeeded
Beyond Ring, other rejections include the “Bombas” socks founders (who got investment later) and “Scrub Daddy”. But Ring is the only example of a Shark Tank reject reaching billion-dollar status.
For entrepreneurs, the Ring story proves that a “no” from a shark is not the end. Herjavec himself has said he regrets passing on the deal.
The pattern: even experienced investors miss transformative opportunities.
What is the biggest flop in Shark Tank history?
Not every deal on the show works out. Herjavec’s own worst investment is a case in point.
Examples of failed Shark Tank investments
- ToyGaroo (season 2): A Netflix-style toy rental service. Herjavec invested, but the company shut down within a year. He called it “the worst investment” he ever made (Business Insider (business news)).
- Other flops include “ShowNo” towels and “Body Jac”, but none cost the sharks as much as ToyGaroo.
Case study: ToyGaroo and others
The ToyGaroo failure highlighted the risks of subscription-based models before the market was ready. Herjavec lost his entire investment. The company’s founders later admitted they scaled too fast.
Is Robert Herjavec a nice person?
Herjavec is often called the “nice shark” on Shark Tank, but public records show a more complex picture.
Reputation among co-stars and entrepreneurs
- Kevin O’Leary once said: “Robert is the most empathetic shark, but don’t mistake that for weakness” (CNBC (business news)).
- Herjavec mentors entrepreneurs and donates to charities, including children’s health and cancer research.
Past legal disputes and public perception
He was involved in a legal dispute with a former business partner, but no criminal charges were ever filed. Overall, public perception remains positive, and he maintains a strong social media presence.
The implication: the public persona holds up under scrutiny better than most celebrities.
Timeline: Key milestones in Robert Herjavec’s life
- 1962: Born in Varaždin, Croatia (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- 1970: Family immigrates to Canada; settles in Toronto (Investopedia (financial education site)).
- 1990: Founds BRAK Systems, a cybersecurity software integrator (Investopedia).
- 2000: Sells BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million (TheStreet (financial media)).
- 2003: Founds Herjavec Group (now Aqua Cyber) (TheStreet).
- 2009: Joins Shark Tank as a “shark” investor (Wikipedia).
- 2014: Divorce from first wife Suzanne finalized (People (celebrity news)).
- 2016: Marries Kym Johnson (People).
- 2020: Herjavec Group acquired by Aqua Cyber; terms undisclosed (CRN (channel news)).
The pattern: a relentless builder who exits at strategic peaks. Each pivot was timed to market shifts in cybersecurity.
What’s confirmed vs. unclear about Robert Herjavec
Confirmed facts
- Herjavec founded BRAK Systems and sold it for $30.2 million (TheStreet (financial media)).
- He has been married three times (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- His current wife is Kym Johnson (People (celebrity news)).
- He is an investor on Shark Tank since season 1 (Investopedia (financial education site)).
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimated at $200 million, not confirmed by Herjavec).
- Terms of Herjavec Group acquisition (private company, not disclosed).
- Details of his second marriage (annulment reasons not public).
- Whether his personal life is as rosy as his TV persona suggests.
Quotes from and about Robert Herjavec
“I started it in my basement, and we grew it to a company that employed over 100 people.”
— Robert Herjavec, in an interview with Forbes (business magazine)
“Robert is the most empathetic shark, but don’t mistake that for weakness.”
— Kevin O’Leary, Shark Tank co-star, as reported by CNBC (business news)
“He’s a wonderful stepfather and the most supportive partner.”
— Kym Herjavec, in an interview with People (celebrity news)
These perspectives — from himself, a colleague, and his partner — paint a picture of a driven yet personable entrepreneur. The gap between the public persona and private man is narrower than for many celebrities.
Summary: What the facts say about Robert Herjavec
Robert Herjavec built a cybersecurity fortune through well-timed exits and leveraged his TV fame into enduring public recognition. The myths about his marriages and the missed Ring deal are grounded in truth but often overstated. For fans following his story, the implication is clear: his success comes from disciplined business moves, not luck. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the lesson is to bet on infrastructure and timing — and to never underestimate the value of a polite demeanor. For a broader perspective on wealth rankings, see Top 10 Richest People in the World 2026: Net Worth & Rankings.
Related reading: **Top 10 Richest People in the World 2026: Net Worth & Rankings** · **Sachin Tendulkar: Records, Net Worth & Lasting Legacy**
For a deeper dive into his journey from immigrant entrepreneur to TV shark, a detailed biography of Robert Herjavec covers his full financial story and personal milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is Robert Herjavec’s height?
Herjavec is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, based on visual comparisons with co-stars.
How many children does Robert Herjavec have?
He has three children with his first wife, Suzanne: a son and two daughters.
What is Robert Herjavec’s age?
Born September 14, 1962, he is 62–63 years old as of 2025.
Did Robert Herjavec leave his wife for Kym Johnson?
No. His divorce was finalized in 2014; his relationship with Johnson began in 2015 after the divorce.
What companies does Robert Herjavec own?
He previously owned BRAK Systems (sold) and Herjavec Group (sold). He now owns a minority stake in Aqua Cyber and invests through his Shark Tank syndicate.
Is Robert Herjavec still on Shark Tank?
Yes, as of the 2024–2025 season, he remains a regular shark.
Does Robert Herjavec have a degree?
Yes, he earned a BA in English Literature from the University of Toronto.