‘Shark’ Tale: Barbara Corcoran’s net worth

You might recognize Barbara Corcoran from ‘Shark Tank,’ the popular startup reality TV show where she’s been an advisor, investor, and executive producer for 11 seasons. But it was Corcoran’s entrepreneurial success that earned her the celebrated ‘Shark’ title.

The real estate mogul details her unconventional path from rags to riches in her book,  “Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion-Dollar Business!”

Read on to see what she’s worth and the financial lessons we can all learn from the real estate mogul. 

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Barbara Corcoran’s journey to success

Part of Corcoran’s enduring appeal (and success) stems from her unapologetically unconventional path. Her website biography leads with “Barbara Corcoran’s credits include straight D’s in high school and college and 20 jobs by the time she turned 23.” 

One of 10 kids in a two-bedroom home, Corcoran learned to adapt and get comfortable with the uncomfortable from a young age. Embracing uncertainty, facing fear, and taking calculated risks would eventually fuel her success. In 1973, one of her many jobs was as a secretary for a real estate company. Wanting to be in charge herself, she borrowed $1,000 from her boyfriend and future husband. Together, they co-founded the Corcoran-Simone real estate firm. 

Years later, after splitting from her husband, Corcoran started The Corcoran Group. In 2001, she sold the company for $66 million. Barbara Corcoran is now worth more than $100 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Barbara Corcoran's net worth broken down

As a Shark investor on ‘Shark Tank,’ Corcoran has made nearly 700 deals and invested in 80 businesses since the show started in 2009, many with co-star Mark Cuban. Of those deals, about 30% were profitable. In an interview with CNBC, Corcoran says the most valuable deal she’s made on the show so far was a $50,000 investment in Comfy, a wearable blanket company. That nearly 30% stake turned into $486 million for Corcoran in just three years. 

In addition to her earnings from ‘Shark Tank,’ the real estate investor and entrepreneur has also written numerous books and tours as a motivational speaker. Having built her fortune on real estate, Corcoran also has an impressive real estate portfolio. She’s purchased at least two multi-million dollar houses on Fire Island in New York. In 2015, she bought an 11-room, $10 million penthouse on the Upper East Side. But her most intriguing buy might be what Corcoran calls her “Taj Mahal” -- a double-wide trailer by the ocean in Malibu, California.

Top 3 essential skills for financial success

Now worth $100 million, the real estate maven and TV personality grew up in a working-class area of New Jersey. She credits much of her success in life and money to certain personality traits and skills. Here are a few of the skills Barbara Corcoran says have helped her:

1. Ambition. It’s the number-one trait she looks for when she considers investing in someone. 

2. Creativity. There are many ways to do things. She advocates thinking outside the box. For example,  Corcoran was famously “fired” from ‘Shark Tank’ before she even started. When the show rescinded its offer in favor of another woman investor, she wrote an email suggesting they meet them both and then decide. She’s now been on the show for 14 years. 

3. Resilience. School did not come easy for Corcoran, who has dyslexia. She had to try harder and work harder than most – which she says made her rich. 

Financial wisdom we can learn from the “Queen of New York Real Estate”

• Don’t be afraid of failure. That resilience Corcoran talks about? It’s part of her business strategy, too. She advocates learning from downtimes and seeing failure as opening doors for new opportunities. Adopting a growth mindset can help foster resilience. 

• Get into real estate early. According to Corcoran, the earlier the better, in your 20s if possible – it can also be an easier time to get financial help from family. Consider areas where homes are still affordable, but prices may rise. Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are three examples of cities Corcoran likes.  

• Embrace your strengths – delegate the rest! From household chores to the workplace, Corcoran is a big believer in outsourcing. Everyone has different talents and capabilities. Identify and focus on what you do best for maximum efficiency. Where you’re weaker, find people stronger in those areas and let them do their thing. 

Learn to earn, save, and invest together

Barbara Corcoran started her empire by betting on herself and borrowing $1,000 to start a business. Turning it into a success involves managing your money strategically and wisely. Give your kids and family a headstart with the Greenlight family money app. It’s a safe, parent-managed way to teach kids to track spending, set savings goals, and understand how investing can grow their money.

For more ideas and money-savvy tips, visit the Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on family, parenting, finance, and fun.

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.