Fredrik Eklund: The Real Estate Rockstar With A Unique Journey

How Much Is Fredrik Eklund Worth?

Alright, let's talk about Fredrik Eklund, the towering figure in New York real estate who’s worth a cool $40 million. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Fredrik has carved out an extraordinary path in life. After a stint as an adult film star and dabbling in IT business, he found his true calling in real estate. Since the mid-2000s, Fredrik has been a powerhouse broker in New York, selling properties to A-list celebrities like Cameron Diaz, John Legend, and Daniel Craig. Even though he didn’t finish his degree at the Stockholm School of Economics, it’s clear that something clicked during his studies, leading him to launch his own company back in Sweden before making the leap to the United States.

Currently, Fredrik is the Managing Director of CORE Group Marketing and also heads the prestigious Prudential Douglas Elliman, the name you see on the signs in front of the most sought-after properties across the East Coast. His career has been nothing short of a meteoric rise, and he’s been a star of Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing New York" since it premiered in 2012. Fredrik’s charm, tenacity, and unmatched sales skills have made him a household name in the world of real estate.

Where Did It All Begin?

Early Life

Fredrik Eklund’s journey began on April 26, 1977, in Stockholm, Sweden, where he was born into a family deeply rooted in business and arts. His brother, Sigge Eklund, is an author, and his father, Klas Eklund, was a senior economist at the Swedish bank SEB. His grandparents were actors Bengt Eklund and Fylgia Zadig, which might explain Fredrik’s flair for drama and showmanship. Fredrik has been an entrepreneur from the get-go. At just four years old, he staged a one-man show in his living room, charging his family and neighbors five kroner (about 50 cents in USD) per ticket. This entrepreneurial spirit only grew stronger as he aged.

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By the time he was seven, Fredrik was selling Christmas calendars and had developed a competitive streak, determined to be the top seller among his neighborhood peers. He created his own sales strategies, visiting potential customers door-to-door and spending hours building relationships. That winter, he broke sales records, learning early on the importance of trust and transparency in business. Fredrik also spent a year as an American high school exchange student at Edina High School in Minnesota. During one of his trips to New York City, he fell in love with the city and vowed to return and work there someday. Back in Sweden, he studied at the Stockholm School of Economics but left without graduating. He worked at a financial newspaper called "Finanstidningen" before co-founding a club called Billy with some friends.

Setting the Stage: Early Career

In 1999, Fredrik co-founded an internet company called Humany with his father, Klas Eklund, and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt. At just 23 years old, Fredrik was the CEO of a company with 45 employees. He worked in Stockholm, London, Singapore, and Tokyo before moving to New York City. During the dot-com bubble, he also started a music production company called Cave Entertainment. It was clear that Fredrik had a knack for business and wasn’t afraid to take risks, a trait that would serve him well in his future endeavors.

The Real Estate Empire

Fast forward to today, and Fredrik is the Managing Director of CORE Group Marketing, a leading real estate firm based in New York City. His business partner, John Gomes, is from Prudential Douglas Elliman, and Fredrik was also the 2010 Managing Director at Prudential Douglas Elliman. Over the years, Fredrik has closed over $5 billion in residential real estate deals. By the age of 25, he was already named Rookie of the Year by the New York Real Estate Board. Fredrik runs the largest real estate brokerage firm on the East Coast and is also the founder of Eklund Stockholm New York, the most high-end residential real estate brokerage in Scandinavia, employing 50 people. In 2014 alone, his company closed $1 billion worth of sales.

Fredrik is a proud member of the Real Estate Board of New York. In November 2010, he graced the front page of the "New York Times" Sunday Style section. In 2017, Fredrik and his team were named the number one real estate team in New York City by "REAL Trends" and the "Wall Street Journal." Some of his high-profile clients include Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Daniel Craig, and many other celebrities you'd recognize. Fredrik's success in real estate is nothing short of legendary.

Adult Film Career: A Brief Chapter

Before Fredrik moved to New York City in 2003, he had a short-lived career in gay pornographic films under the pseudonym Tag Eriksson (or Tag Ericsson). He’s been very open about this period, saying it lasted about a week spread over a few months. In an interview with "Out Magazine," Fredrik mentioned that he tried it and "quickly decided" it wasn’t for him, but he has no regrets. In fact, he even starred in a parody of "The Ring," a porn comedy movie called "The Hole," adding a quirky footnote to his career.

Reality TV Fame

Since 2012, Fredrik has been one of the three New York City brokers starring in Bravo's reality television show "Million Dollar Listing New York." The show gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous and high-stakes world of real estate, showcasing Fredrik’s charisma, wit, and unmatched sales skills. It’s no wonder he’s become a fan favorite on the show.

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Life Beyond Real Estate

Personal Life

Fredrik married artist Derek Kaplan on February 9, 2013, in a beautiful ceremony on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys. Until 2016, the couple lived in New York with their two dogs. They later relocated to Roxbury, Connecticut, where they moved into a stunning mansion that Fredrik purchased. In November 2017, Fredrik and Derek welcomed twins via surrogate: daughter Milla and son Fredrik Jr. Despite a previous heartbreaking miscarriage, the couple persevered and now enjoy their roles as parents. Outside of work, Fredrik and Derek love cooking, photography, and wine. Fredrik even launched his own wine label, High-Kick, which is now sold in six countries, with his rosé being the number one new rosé in Sweden.

Personal Real Estate Holdings

As you’d expect, Fredrik and Derek own some impressive real estate themselves. They have homes in Beverly Hills, Miami, Manhattan, and Connecticut. In 2016, they paid $3 million for their Connecticut home. In February 2021, Fredrik shelled out $7 million for a home in Beverly Hills, California. By December 2023, he had listed the property for $11 million and made it available to rent for $50,000 per month. Clearly, Fredrik’s expertise in real estate extends far beyond his professional life—he’s a savvy investor in his own right.