Before he became a household name on Shark Tank or a successful businessman, Kevin O'Leary was just a regular guy trying to make ends meet. In a candid interview with Closer, O'Leary opened up about the early days of his marriage. "Back then, we couldn't afford a fancy wedding. Instead of a big reception, we had a beer at home and ordered pizza—on paper plates," he laughed. But despite the humble beginnings, O'Leary remains grateful. "Same gal today," he added with a smile, referring to his wife, Linda. "So I know she's not after me because of my success!"
Fast forward to today, and the Canadian businessman has come an incredibly long way. Starting with the Learning Company, which he grew from his basement into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, O'Leary set the stage for his future as an investor. His journey has taken him to the heights of success, where he now sits alongside other business legends like Lori Greiner, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, and Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. It's a story of hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck.
Childhood Memories
What was your childhood like?
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"My childhood was anything but ordinary," O'Leary shared. "I lost my biological father at a very young age, and my mother remarried an engineer who later became an expert for the United Nations. This meant that every two years, we'd pick up and move to a new country. Places like Cyprus, Cambodia, Tunisia, and Ethiopia became our home. It was a remarkable experience, though not always easy. When we moved to Cambodia, it was breathtakingly beautiful but also deeply affected by the Vietnam War. It was a challenging time, but it shaped who I am today."
A Love for Cooking
Did your travels influence your love for cooking?
"Absolutely," O'Leary replied. "Living in Cambodia, which was heavily influenced by French cuisine, taught me a lot about adapting recipes to local conditions. You can't use heavy creams and butter when it's 110 degrees by 11 a.m., so you have to get creative. I learned to go to the market before sunrise to get the freshest ingredients and experiment with different flavors. Today, cooking is my escape from the stress of business. It's a creative outlet, a way to connect with family, and, most importantly, it's fun. I spend a lot of my weekends in the kitchen, experimenting and perfecting my craft."
Favorite Dish
Do you have a go-to dish?
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"Chicken is my go-to," O'Leary admitted. "It's the most economical protein in America, and you can do so much with it. Every weekend, I cook two whole chickens in different styles. It's not only cost-effective but also practical. You can feed your family for an entire week with just a couple of birds. The leftovers make their way into sandwiches, salads, and more. That's why I invested in the Turbo Trusser on Shark Tank—it makes cooking chicken so much easier and more efficient."
Investing Based on Personal Experience
Do your personal experiences influence your investment decisions?
"Absolutely," O'Leary confirmed. "I seem to be the go-to guy for food-related products on Shark Tank because everyone knows how much I love to cook. The Turbo Trusser was a no-brainer for me. It solves a real problem when it comes to cooking chicken evenly. Similarly, when the Bertello Pizza Oven was pitched a few years ago, it reminded me of our simple wedding pizza. I invested in it, and now it's one of the top-selling pizza ovens in America."
Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed
How does it feel to help other entrepreneurs succeed?
"Shark Tank is all about supporting entrepreneurship," O'Leary explained. "We take entrepreneurs and help them launch their businesses. It's not just about making money; it's about creating jobs and
