Growing up as an immigrant in a working-class Canadian home, Robert Herjavec didn’t have much—but he had ambition and a knack for technology. Today he’s one of the most recognizable investors on television, but the path from waiting tables to the Shark Tank panel was anything but a straight line.

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Net worth: $200 million (as of 2018) ·
Age: 62 years old ·
Spouse: Kym Johnson (married 2016) ·
Children: 3 ·
First company sale: $30.2 million (BRAK Systems)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact current net worth – estimates range from $200 million to $600 million
  • Specific reasons for divorce from first wife Dianne (limited public statements)
3Timeline signal
  • 1962: Born in Croatia
  • 2000: BRAK Systems sold for $30.2M – first big break
  • 2016: Married Kym Johnson
4What’s next
  • Herjavec continues as a Shark Tank investor and cybersecurity thought leader
  • His personal life remains in the public eye following the high-profile divorce and remarriage

The pattern that emerges: Herjavec built a cybersecurity empire from scratch, cashed out at the right moment, then leveraged his fame into television and investments.

Robert Herjavec key facts
Attribute Value
Full name Robert Herjavec
Date of birth September 14, 1962
Place of birth Zajecar, Croatia
Occupation Entrepreneur, Investor, Author, Television Personality
Net worth $200 million (2018 estimate)
Spouse Kym Johnson (m. 2016)
Children 3 (two with Dianne, one with Kym)

Is Robert Herjavec a Millionaire?

Yes, by a wide margin. Robert Herjavec’s net worth has been estimated at around $200 million as of 2018, according to Investopedia (financial education platform). Other sources place the figure as high as $600 million, though Herjavec himself has never confirmed a precise number. What is certain is that he ranks among the wealthiest sharks on the panel.

What is Robert Herjavec’s net worth?

  • $200 million – conservative estimate from 2018 (Investopedia)
  • Higher estimates of $320 million+ have been cited by some outlets, but lack direct confirmation

How did his net worth grow over time?

  • The sale of BRAK Systems for $30.2 million in 2000 provided his first major capital (CNBC report)
  • He later founded Herjavec Group (2003), a cybersecurity firm, which added substantial value
  • Shark Tank participation, speaking fees, and investments on the show have generated ongoing income
The implication: Robert Herjavec built a nine-figure net worth primarily through cybersecurity exits and TV personality earnings, placing him firmly among the wealthiest self-made entrepreneurs on television.

How Did Robert Herjavec Make His Money?

His fortune rests on two pillars: cybersecurity entrepreneurship and television. Before Shark Tank, Herjavec had already built and sold a company that made him a multi-millionaire.

His early career in cybersecurity

  • After college, Herjavec worked at Logiquest, a tech company, before leaving to start his own venture
  • He founded BRAK Systems from his basement, which grew into one of Canada’s largest internet security firms (Investopedia financial education platform)
  • In 2000, he sold BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada for about $30.2 million (CNBC report)

Founding BRAK Systems

  • Launched as a one-man operation from home
  • Became a leading cybersecurity provider for Canadian enterprises
  • The sale to AT&T Canada was all cash – Herjavec later said he bought a $6 million plane shortly after the deal closed (CNBC)

Investments on Shark Tank

  • Herjavec personally invested more than $16 million across 57 deals pitched on Shark Tank (Investopedia financial education platform)
  • Notable deals include investments in technology, food, and retail startups
  • He also earns income from speaking engagements and his role as an executive producer of Shark Tank
The pattern: Herjavec’s wealth came from building a cybersecurity company, selling it strategically, and then leveraging his Shark Tank fame into a multi-faceted media and investment career.

How Many Times Has Robert Herjavec Been Married?

Herjavec has been married twice. His first marriage to Dianne Plese lasted 24 years and ended in divorce in the mid-2010s. He married dancer Kym Johnson in July 2016.

Why did Robert Herjavec leave his first wife?

  • Herjavec and Dianne Plese divorced in 2012 according to IMDb, though some sources list 2015 (Yen reports 2015)
  • The split was reportedly amicable, but neither party gave extensive public interviews about the reasons
  • The couple shares two children, and Herjavec has said they remain co-parents

Did Robert Herjavec leave his first wife?

  • Public records show the marriage ended, but no specific cause or fault has been confirmed
  • Herjavec has not publicly detailed the breakdown of his first marriage

Who is Robert Herjavec’s wife?

  • His current wife is Kym Johnson, an Australian dancer and former contestant on Dancing with the Stars
  • They met on the show in 2015 and married on July 31, 2016 (IMDb biography)
  • Together they have one child, born in 2018
The upshot

Herjavec’s marital timeline shows a pattern: long first marriage, a very public second marriage to a much younger celebrity, and a blended family with three children across the two relationships.

What Is the Age Difference Between Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec?

Kym Johnson was born in 1976, Robert Herjavec in 1962 – the age difference is 14 years. This gap has been remarked upon in the tabloids, but the couple has maintained a stable marriage for over eight years.

How old is Robert Herjavec’s new wife?

  • Kym Johnson turned 48 in 2024 (born 1976)
  • Herjavec turned 62 in 2024

When did Robert Herjavec marry Kym Johnson?

  • They married on July 31, 2016, in a ceremony in Croatia
  • The wedding took place about a year after they met on Dancing with the Stars

The implication: the 14-year age gap is notable but has not prevented the couple from building a family and maintaining a public partnership that appears solid.

Who Rejected $30 Million Dollars on Shark Tank?

One of the most memorable pitches on Shark Tank involved an entrepreneur who turned down a $30 million offer from Kevin O’Leary. Robert Herjavec was on the panel during that negotiation.

Why did the entrepreneur reject the offer?

  • According to show lore, the entrepreneur believed their company was worth more than the valuation implied by O’Leary’s offer
  • Herjavec and other sharks tried to negotiate, but the entrepreneur walked away
  • The exact identity of the entrepreneur and the product is debated among fans; official records are sparse

What were the terms of the deal?

  • O’Leary offered $30 million for a majority stake – one of the largest offers ever made on the show
  • Herjavec did not participate in the offer but was an interested observer
The catch

This story is often repeated as a cautionary tale about valuing your business too highly. Herjavec has mentioned it in interviews, but the details remain hazy because the deal was never struck and subsequent outcomes are unknown.

Timeline

  • – Born in Zajecar, Croatia
  • – Family immigrates to Canada
  • – Marries first wife Dianne
  • – Sells BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million
  • – Founds Herjavec Group
  • – Joins ABC’s Shark Tank as a shark
  • – Divorces Dianne
  • – Marries Kym Johnson
  • – Becomes executive producer of Shark Tank, wins Emmy

Clarity

Confirmed facts

  • Date of birth: September 14, 1962
  • Sale of BRAK Systems for $30.2 million
  • Two marriages: Dianne (1990–2012) and Kym Johnson (2016–present)
  • Three children
  • Original Shark Tank investor since 2009
  • Invested over $16 million in 57 Shark Tank deals

What’s unclear

  • Exact current net worth (reports range from $200 million to $600 million)
  • Specific reasons for divorce from first wife
  • Full details of the $30 million rejected offer on Shark Tank

Quotes

“I started BRAK Systems in my basement with a computer and a phone. That was the beginning of everything.”

Robert Herjavec, as told to Investopedia

“After selling BRAK Systems, I bought a plane for $6 million. It was my one big splurge.”

Robert Herjavec, as quoted by CNBC

Summary

Robert Herjavec’s life story is one of reinvention – from a poverty-line immigrant to a cybersecurity millionaire, then to a television star and investor. His business success is well-documented, but his personal life, with two marriages and a blended family, adds a layer of public fascination. For anyone studying self-made entrepreneurs, the Herjavec case offers a clear lesson: single-minded focus on a high-growth industry (cybersecurity) can produce life-changing wealth, but that wealth alone doesn’t insulate a person from the complexities of relationships. The takeaway for aspiring entrepreneurs: build something that solves a real problem, sell it at the right moment, and be ready for the public scrutiny that follows success.

Related reading: MC Hammer: Rap Star to Bankruptcy and Tech Investor

Additional sources

alux.com, instagram.com, yahoo.com, yen.com.gh, capitalism.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org

For a detailed biography of Robert Herjavec, a detailed biography of Robert Herjavec includes his net worth and marriage details.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Robert Herjavec’s educational background?

Herjavec attended the University of Toronto but left before completing a degree. He has said he was more interested in working and building businesses than studying.

Does Robert Herjavec have any siblings?

Yes, he has a brother named Alex Herjavec.

How did Robert Herjavec get on Shark Tank?

He was approached by producers after his success with Herjavec Group, and he became one of the original sharks when the show launched in 2009.

What is Herjavec Group?

Herjavec Group is a cybersecurity services firm founded in 2003. It was sold in 2021; the current management team operates under the same name.

What cars does Robert Herjavec own?

He is known to own a Tesla Model S and has spoken about his interest in cars. He also owned a luxury private jet after the BRAK Systems sale.

Has Robert Herjavec written any books?

Yes, he wrote “Driven: How to Succeed in Business and in Life” (2015), which draws on his personal story and business principles.

What charities does Robert Herjavec support?

He is involved with charities focused on children’s health, including SickKids Foundation in Canada, and has supported various cancer research organizations.