Grant Cardone: The Man Who Built A $600 Million Empire

How Big Is Grant Cardone's Fortune?

Let me tell you about Grant Cardone. He’s not just another guy with a big house and a fancy car. This American entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, and real estate investor has amassed a staggering net worth of $600 million. But here's the thing—Cardone didn’t just stumble into this kind of wealth. He earned it the hard way. As a professional sales trainer and speaker, he's made a name for himself in leadership, real estate investing, entrepreneurship, social media, and finance. Oh, and did I mention he’s written eight business books, runs thirteen business programs, and leads seven privately-held companies? With over $4 billion in assets under management, it's no surprise that Grant Cardone has become a household name in the world of business and finance.

Cardone's expertise in real estate has been a key factor in his success. He owns a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio and regularly shares his strategies with the world through books, courses, and speaking engagements. In 2016, he founded Cardone Capital, a real estate investment firm that focuses on acquiring and managing multi-family residential properties. If you're into social media, you might have seen his motivational content and business advice, which has garnered him a massive following across platforms. And for those who love reality TV, Cardone starred in the second season of the Discovery Channel's "Undercover Billionaire" in 2021. Now, while he's not technically a billionaire, he’s still got a pretty impressive story to tell.

Where Did It All Begin?

Grant Cardone was born on March 21, 1958, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His life hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Both of his parents, Curtis Louis Cardone and Concetta Neil Cardone, passed away when he was still young—his dad in 1968 and his mom in 2009. Grant has a twin brother named Gary and is the fourth of five children. He attended LaGrange High School in Lake Charles and graduated from McNeese State University in 1981. In 2010, he was honored with the McNeese State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, a testament to how far he’s come since his early days.

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How Did Grant Cardone Build His Empire?

After finishing college, Grant decided that accounting wasn’t for him. Instead, he packed up and moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1987 to work for a sales training company. But his journey didn’t stop there. He traveled across the United States, eventually settling in Houston, Texas, for five years, La Jolla, California, for 12 years, and then Los Angeles. Along the way, he faced his share of challenges, including a drug problem that landed him in rehab at age 25. But here's the kicker—he turned his life around. Within five years of leaving rehab, he became a millionaire. That's what you call a comeback story.

Grant’s career took off when he entered the world of automobile sales, where he quickly climbed the ranks to become the CEO of Freedom Motorsports Group Inc. He also helped develop the reality series "Turnaround King" for National Geographic, which aired in 2011. Today, he owns several companies, including Cardone Enterprises, Cardone Acquisitions, Cardone Training Technologies, and The Cardone Group. He’s also known for training salespeople from car dealerships, proving that he knows a thing or two about selling.

Grant Cardone’s books have been nothing short of extraordinary. Titles like "If You're Not First, You're Last" hit #1 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and made the "Wall Street Journal" and "New York Times" bestseller lists. He and his wife Elena even star in the self-produced web series "The G&E Show." In 2016, Cardone was ranked #7 on Richtopia's global list of the 500 most influential CEOs in the world. He was also named the #1 marketer to watch by "Forbes" magazine in 2017. And if that's not enough, his home was featured on "How'd You Get So Rich?" with Joan Rivers.

Building a Real Estate Empire

When it comes to real estate, Grant Cardone is a force to be reckoned with. Through his investment vehicle, Cardone Capital, he’s built a real estate empire worth billions. According to his biography, the company has been involved in transactions totaling billions of dollars and currently owns around $2.7 billion worth of apartment buildings across the United States. While this figure hasn't been independently verified, there’s no denying his impact on the real estate market.

Cardone's love for real estate started when he was a kid, but it really took off at age 29 when he bought a single-family home in Houston and rented it out. He sold the property after the tenants moved out and kept the momentum going. Five years later, he acquired a 38-unit complex in San Diego for $1.9 million, paying just $350,000 as a down payment. One month later, he bought another complex. By 2012, Cardone Capital owned 1,016 apartments worth a total of $58 million. This guy knows how to turn a profit.

Grant Cardone's Personal Life

Grant is married to actress Elena Lyons, and together they have two daughters, Scarlett and Sabrina. If you're curious about his spiritual side, he's a member of the Church of Scientology. But here's a fun fact—Grant had a previous marriage at age 35 that lasted only a year. He settled with his ex-wife for $1 million. Now, that's what I call a clean break.

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The Malibu Mansion

In January 2022, Grant dropped $40 million on a home in Malibu, California. This 9,500-square-foot beauty is located on Carbon Beach and was once listed for $50 million. The seller? A Ukrainian oligarch named Vadim Shulman, who originally bought the house for $25 million in 2014. Some of his famous neighbors include Larry Ellison, the billionaire founder of Oracle, and movie mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg. In May 2024, it was reported that Grant had put the house on the market for $65 million or offered it for rent at $250,000 per month. Take a look at this video tour:

Before moving to Malibu, Grant owned a home in Los Angeles, which he sold to musician Lionel Richie for $18 million. In May 2021, it was revealed that Cardone had purchased Tommy Hilfiger's mansion in Golden Beach, Florida, for $28 million. He recently listed this house for sale in May 2024 for $42 million. Check out this video tour of the Florida property: