Robert Herjavec

Robert Herjavec is a Canadian businessman, investor, and television personality known as the CEO of The Herjavec Group and the founder of BRAK Systems. Born in 1962 in Varaždin, Croatia, he spent his early years in Zbjeg. In 1970, his family fled the country after Robert’s father, Vladimir, was imprisoned for criticizing the regime. The family relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, before settling in Toronto, where they lived in a friend’s basement for 18 months.

Adapting to life in Canada was challenging for young Robert, who spoke no English. He grew up on a farm under the care of his grandmother, accustomed to a modest rural lifestyle. In Canada, however, he found himself economically disadvantaged compared to his neighbors. His father, a strong and resilient man, became his greatest influence.

In 1984, Robert graduated from New College at the University of Toronto with a degree in English Literature and Political Science. To support his family, he worked a variety of minimum-wage jobs, including delivering newspapers, retail sales, and debt collection.

Career Milestones

In the mid-1980s, Robert worked as an assistant director on productions such as Cain and Abel and The Return of Billy Jack. He also served as a field producer for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo for Global TV.

Later, he became the General Manager of Logiquest, a company specializing in IBM mainframe emulation boards. After being fired in 1990, he founded BRAK Systems, an internet security software integrator. In March 2000, BRAK Systems was sold to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million. Subsequently, he joined Ramp Networks as Vice President of Sales, which was later acquired by Nokia for $225 million.

In 2003, Robert established The Herjavec Group, a cybersecurity solutions provider. The company has grown into Canada’s largest IT security provider, generating annual revenues of approximately $200 million.

Robert is also a familiar face on television. He appeared on Canada’s Dragons’ Den and the U.S. version, Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of investors. In 2015, he competed on season 20 of Dancing with the Stars, where he partnered with Kym Johnson.

Personal Life

Robert married Diane Plese in 1990, and the couple had three children: daughters Caprice and Skye, and son Brendan. The couple divorced in early 2016.

During Dancing with the Stars, Robert developed a relationship with his dance partner, Kym Johnson. They got engaged and married on July 31, 2016. The couple welcomed twins, Hudson Robert and Haven Mae, on April 23, 2018.

In 2017, Robert faced legal challenges when his ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual assault, though he claimed she was attempting to extort him.

Robert is also known for his philanthropy, particularly his significant contributions to the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter in Seattle, Washington.

Social Media Presence

Robert Herjavec actively engages with his audience on social media:

• Facebook: Verified account (@robertherjavec007) with over 159K followers.
• Twitter: Verified account (@robertherjavec) with more than 817.3K followers.
• Instagram: Verified account (@robertherjavec) with 715K+ followers.

Net Worth and Achievements

As of now, Robert Herjavec’s net worth exceeds $200 million, a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen and dedication. His primary source of income stems from his business ventures, which have brought him both fame and success.

Trivia:

• Robert has won three Gemini Awards as part of Dragons’ Den for Outstanding Reality Show in Canada.
• He presented at the 2013 Creative Arts Emmy Awards and the same year’s Mr. Olympia contest.
• He finished sixth on Dancing with the Stars after a double elimination.
• His latest book, You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success, was published on March 29, 2016.
• A passionate car enthusiast, Robert competes in the Ferrari Challenge with car number #007. He also enjoys golfing and running.