Christopher Paul Gardner, born on the 9th of February 1954, is an American entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author, who became popular because of his rags to riches story portrayed in the movie “The Pursuit of Happiness”.
So how much is Gardner’s net worth? As of mid-2016 it is reported by sources to be $60 million, acquired from the success of his business ventures.
Christopher Gardner Net Worth $60 Million
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gardner is the son of Bettye Jean Gardner and Thomas Turner. Growing up, his parents separated and he had a hard time growing up with a physically abusive father, and his mother being sent to jail – Gardner along with his siblings was constantly passed on from one foster home to another.
After finishing high school, Gardner decided to enlist in the US Navy, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. It was during his time in the Navy that he met Dr. Robert Ellis. With his dreams of becoming a doctor, he decided to work with Ellis as his research assistant right after his stint in the Navy. From 1974 to 1976, Gardner helped Ellis manage his research laboratory, and even assisted in writing some of his published journals, but because of the low pay he was forced to quit.
With his trouble at home and almost zero wealth after working in a research laboratory, Gardner was forced to become a salesman of medical equipments just to make ends meet. However, after a sales meeting he met stockbroker Bob Bridges and his life was changed. After a conversation held over a Ferrari, Gardner was able to book meetings with some of Bridges’ friends in several major brokerage firms.
The original plan was for Gardner to train under E. F. Hutton but it didn’t work. Fortunately, he got another chance with Dean Witter Reynolds and was accepted into their training program. Even though the training had no salary he still continued on to pass his Series 7 Exam.
After working for Reynolds, Gardner secured a position with Bear Stearns & Company, and from then on his wealth started to increase. Even though he still faced some difficulties from his personal life including homelessness, Gardner still persevered and by 1987 had gathered enough funds to start his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co.
From a little desk in his home in Chicago, Illinois, Gardner was able to make his own firm succeed, and in 2006 was able to sell the whole firm to over millions of dollars that tremendously increased his net worth. He later co-founded his new company Christopher Gardner International holdings.
Aside from being a businessman, Gardner is also a philanthropist with plans of investing in South Africa to open opportunities and jobs in the local community. He is also known as a board member of National Fatherhood Initiative and National Education Foundation.
In 2006, he released his book “The Pursuit of Happyness” that was later on translated into a movie with Will Smith playing his character. In 2009 he wrote another book “Start Where you Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.” Today he is still active in his businesses, advocacies and also a motivational speaker.
In terms of his personal life, Gardner has two children Chris Jr, and Jacinta from a previous relationship with Jackie Medina. He was actually married to Sherry Dyson from 1977-86.
