Barbara Corcoran, born on March 10, 1949, is a renowned American businesswoman, investor, syndicated columnist, and television personality. She initially gained fame for founding The Corcoran Group, a real estate brokerage in New York City, which she later sold to NRT for $66 million in 2001. Soon after the sale, Corcoran exited the company to pursue other endeavors, eventually joining the ranks of the original “Shark” investors on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank.”
Throughout her impressive career, Corcoran has demonstrated an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, having held 20 jobs by the time she was 23 before launching her successful real estate business with a loan of just $1,000. As of 2023, her estimated net worth is around $100 million. While not a billionaire, her accomplishments and ventures in business and investing continue to solidify her reputation as a self-made, influential figure in the industry.
From her humble beginnings as a waitress to her current status as a celebrated investor and television personality, Barbara Corcoran’s journey is a testament to her resilience, innovative thinking, and keen business acumen. Today, she continues to make sound, strategic investments in various companies. She shares her wealth of knowledge and experience with aspiring entrepreneurs through her appearances on Shark Tank and published works.
Content of This Article
- Barbara Corcoran’s Appearance
- Facts About Barbara Corcoran
- Barbara Corcoran’s Net Worth
- Early Life
- Barbara Corcoran’s Husband and Family
- Barbara Corcoran’s Career
- Barbara Corcoran’s Real Estate
- Barbara Corcoran’s Controversies
Barbara Corcoran’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 5 in |
| Weight | 50 kg |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Barbara Corcoran
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $100 million |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Edgewater, New Jersey |
| Birthday | March 10, 1949 |
Barbara Corcoran’s Net Worth
Barbara Corcoran, a successful American investor, businesswoman, and author, has an estimated net worth of around $100 million as of 2023. While she is not a billionaire, her impressive net worth showcases her business acumen and resilience in real estate.
Her journey began with a mere $1,000 loan, which she used to start the Corcoran Group real estate company. Remarkably, before launching her business, she had held 20 jobs by age 23 and worked as a waitress. Through determination and hard work, she transformed the small loan into a profitable enterprise, proving that anyone can succeed, regardless of their financial background.
Despite her impressive fortune, Barbara Corcoran remains grounded in her belief that money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness. As she continues to invest in promising businesses while participating as a “Shark” investor on ABC’s popular show “Shark Tank,” her wealth is expected to grow.
Barbara Corcoran’s net worth of approximately $100 million is a testament to her determination, business savvy, and pursuit of opportunities in the face of adversity.
Early Life
Barbara Ann Corcoran was born in Edgewater, New Jersey, on March 10, 1949. She grew up in an Irish-Catholic household and was one of ten siblings. Her early life was filled with challenges, as she experienced dyslexia, making her academic journey difficult.
Despite her struggles with dyslexia, Corcoran attended Leonia High School, where she strove to excel and maintain her motivation. Her perseverance through these challenges shaped her into the firm, determined individual she would become later.
After completing high school, Barbara pursued higher education at St. Thomas Aquinas College. This educational foundation would provide her with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the business world and eventually become the successful entrepreneur and investor she is today.
Education
Barbara Corcoran’s educational journey began at a local Catholic elementary school. Later, she started her high school education at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood. However, she faced academic challenges during her first year and failed several courses. This led her to transfer to Leonia High School, where she eventually graduated, albeit with a D average.
Corcoran pursued higher education at St. Thomas Aquinas College despite her earlier struggles. There, she achieved more academic success than in her previous schooling experiences and graduated with a degree in education in 1971.
Barbara Corcoran’s Husband and Family
Barbara Corcoran resides in Manhattan with her spouse, Bill Higgins. Higgins is a retired Navy captain with an impressive history, having served as an FBI agent and participating in the Gulf War. The couple tied the knot in 1988, and their love journey has flourished.
While focusing on her personal and professional life, Barbara and her husband decided to expand their family. In 1994, they welcomed their first child, a son named Tom. The couple opted for in vitro fertilization, and Barbara’s sister Florence generously donated an egg to assist in the process.
As time went on, Barbara and Bill felt the desire to grow their family further and decided to adopt a daughter named Kate. Today, Barbara balances her impressive career with her family life, remaining committed to her loved ones and being a successful businesswoman and media personality.
Barbara Corcoran’s Career
Barbara Corcoran is a well-known businesswoman, investor, author, and television personality. She started her career in real estate in 1973 when she co-founded “The Corcoran-Simonè” with her boyfriend, who loaned her $1,000. Eventually, the company evolved into “The Corcoran Group,” she gained recognition in the industry by publishing “The Corcoran Report,” a widely respected real estate data analysis.
Barbara is best known for her role on ABC’s hit show, “Shark Tank,” where she has appeared as a “shark” investor on all 14 seasons. Alongside fellow investors Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin Harrington, she has invested in numerous innovative businesses, helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. One notable investment includes “The Comfy,” which now boasts significant success and widespread market recognition.
Before her time on “Shark Tank,” she was a staple on NBC, hosting “Millionaire Broker” on CNBC and frequently appearing on Larry King Live. Over time, she transitioned into a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing her entrepreneurial expertise and business acumen with countless audiences worldwide.
Barbara also authored the book, “If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails: And Other Lessons I Learned from My Mom,” which is both informative and inspiring. Additionally, her vast accomplishments in real estate, television, and investing have been celebrated as she has received accolades from the Emmys, Critics Choice Television Awards, and more.
Barbara Corcoran has leveraged her keen business sense and magnetic personality to become an influential investor, author, and television personality. Her journey, which began with her early real estate career in Manhattan, has led to numerous successes, making her a prominent figure in today’s business world.
Barbara Corcoran’s Real Estate
The foundation of Barbara Corcoran’s immense net worth lies in her real estate career, which spans over 50 years. She founded her first successful business in 1973, The Corcoran Group, which would later become an influential New York real estate market player. The firm specializes in high-end properties, encompassing prestigious locations such as Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
Over the years, Corcoran’s real estate prowess became evident as she made some savvy property investments. In 2001, she acquired a 2,700-square-foot apartment in a Park Avenue co-op building for $3.5 million. This acquisition demonstrated her ability to identify prime real estate and capitalize on its potential value. In 2015, she further cemented her reputation by purchasing a luxurious Fifth Avenue penthouse for $10 million. She also ventured into the domain of unique properties, buying an $800,000 double-wide trailer home with ocean views in California.
In a move that significantly bolstered her net worth, Barbara Corcoran successfully negotiated the sale of The Corcoran Group without having prior knowledge of the company’s worth. She eventually sold the company for a staggering $66 million. This grand sale sheds light on Corcoran’s astute business acumen and underlines her status as a titan in the real estate industry.
As of 2023, Barbara Corcoran’s estimated net worth stands at $100 million, a testament to her real estate prowess and ability to turn property investments into a thriving, profitable empire.
Barbara Corcoran’s Controversies
Throughout her career, Barbara Corcoran has experienced a few controversies. One such incident involved her company, The Corcoran Group, and a real estate report called The Corcoran Report. Barbara introduced this report to provide information on property trends and pricing in New York City. The report stirred up some backlash when it found the data was flawed, leading to inaccurate conclusions about property pricing.
Another controversy involved Barbara’s dealings with Kevin O’Leary, a fellow Shark Tank investor. The two have had occasional disagreements on the show, leading to spirited debates. Though these debates have not resulted in lasting hatred, they have generated considerable attention from viewers and fans of the show.
Moreover, some of Barbara’s investments have also come under scrutiny. For instance, her investment in Coverplay, which produces washable slipcovers for play yards, became an issue when another Shark Tank investor, Lori Greiner, accused Barbara of copying her idea. Ultimately, the situation with Coverplay was resolved, but it highlighted a competitive tension between the two investors.
Additionally, Barbara has been involved in multiple media outlets such as More, The Daily Review, and Redbook. While writing weekly columns for the New York Daily News and hosting The Millionaire Broker with Barbara Corcoran on CNBC, she has occasionally faced criticism for her opinions and advice.
Despite these controversies, Barbara Corcoran has maintained a highly successful career as a savvy entrepreneur, astute real estate expert, and highly sought-after television personality.