A Heartfelt Moment Between Two Shark Tank Stars

It was a moment that brought even the toughest investor to tears. Kevin O'Leary, the sharp-tongued Shark Tank star known as "Mr. Wonderful," couldn't hold back the emotion as he recounted a pivotal moment in his life when his co-star Mark Cuban came to his rescue. In a candid interview on "Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?," Kevin opened up about a challenging period in his life when he faced a financial crisis after leaving Canada's political scene.

Back in 2017, Kevin made a bold move into Canadian politics, running for office. At 70 years old, he was riding high in the polls, but his campaign hit a roadblock when it came to Quebec. "I was leading in the polls, dramatically, until I hit Quebec," Kevin explained. "You see, I'm dyslexic, and learning French just wasn't in the cards for me. It's one of those things that life throws at you, and it stopped me dead in my tracks."

The Canadian Political System Throws a Curveball

But the challenges didn't stop there. Kevin faced another hurdle tied to Canada's unique political financing rules. "In the Canadian system, if you lose a race, you're required to pay back your losses. It's a steep $1,600 per contribution, and only Canadian citizens can contribute. What's more, if you fail to pay back within 24 months, you could end up in prison. It's a serious situation," Kevin elaborated.

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Kevin found himself in a $2 million hole, desperate to clear the books. "I wanted to write the check and just move on, but the government said no. They reminded me that I had to follow the rules like everyone else," he recalled. It was then that Kevin turned to his Shark Tank co-star, Mark Cuban, for help.

Mark Cuban Steps Up in a Big Way

Kevin reached out to Mark with a proposition. "I called Mark and said, 'Look, I need to hold an event where I can sell a lot of tickets to people who can contribute. Would you fly up here and stand beside me on stage?'" Kevin remembered. What happened next left Kevin deeply moved. "Mark didn't even hesitate. He was on a plane the next day. He didn't question it. He just said, 'Where do I need to be? I'll be there.'"

As Kevin shared this story, he became visibly emotional, fighting back tears. "I owe Mark a lot for that. He saved my ass," Kevin said with heartfelt gratitude. Host Chris Wallace, surprised by Kevin's emotional response, quipped, "Well, I did not have that on my bingo card, Mr. Wonderful getting emotional." But it was clear to everyone how much Mark's gesture meant to Kevin.

Shark Tank's Dynamic Duo: Beyond the Screen

Kevin has been a part of Shark Tank since the very first season in 2009. Mark Cuban first appeared as a guest shark in season 2 before joining the panel full-time in season 3. Over the years, fans have loved watching their dynamic onscreen, often pitting them against each other in playful banter. So, it was a bittersweet moment when Mark announced that season 16 would be his last on the show.

"I'm stepping away to spend more time with my kids. They're teenagers now, and when they were younger, my wife and I could dictate their schedules. Now, they're not listening to us," Mark explained in an interview with The Wrap. "We shoot in June and September, and I wanted to take the chance to spend time with them when they're out of school. I'm tired of missing out on those moments."

Season 16 of Shark Tank premiered on Friday, October 18, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans eagerly tuned in to see how the show would evolve without Mark's presence, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate with viewers.