Jordan Belfort, or The Wolf of Wall Street, as he is famously referred to, has become almost synonymous with high-stakes finance, excessive lifestyles, but most of all a dramatic fall from grace. From making millions as a stockbroker through to losing it all following conviction on fraud charges, Jordan’s story is one that epitomises the themes of excess and ambition coupled with an eventual road to redemption.
Today his net worth continues to fascinate many, given that it serves as a testament not only to his financial resurrection but also to how he has managed since then to build a reputation as an author and motivational speaker. In this article, we will take a look at Jordan’s net worth in 2020, considering the various ways in which he makes money while also understanding how the scandal-cladded history has continued to shape his present and future prospects.
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What Is Jordan Belfort’s Net Worth?
Jordan Belfort, aka the “Wolf of Wall Street,” is estimated to have a net worth of around $100 million as of last reports. Despite his financial woes that included making restitution payments and bankruptcy filings, Belfort now makes money via his work as a motivational speaker, author and consultant.
Restitution
Jordan Belfort’s money problems go back to when he was convicted in 1999 for stock market manipulation and securities fraud. In addition to serving 22 months of a four-year sentence, the former trade tycoon was instructed by a judge to pay back $110.4 million in restitution to his victims. Though Belfort has claimed over the years that he is chastened and desperately wants to repay everyone, it’s unclear how much still remains left after last year’s bank settlement.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Jordan Ross Belfort |
| Nickname | The Wolf of Wall Street |
| Date of Birth | July 9, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Occupation | Author, Motivational Speaker, Former Stockbroker |
| Known For | Founding Stratton Oakmont, Inspiration for “The Wolf of Wall Street” |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Biology from American University |
| Notable Works | “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2007), “Catching the Wolf of Wall Street” (2009) |
| Criminal Charges | Securities fraud, money laundering |
| Conviction Date | 1999 |
| Prison Sentence | 22 months (served in 2004–2005) |
| Spouses | Denise Lombardo (1985–1991) |
| Nadine Caridi (1991–2005) | |
| Children | 2 (Chandler Belfort, Carter Belfort) |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $100 million (as of 2024) |
| Film Adaptation | “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013), directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio |
| Books Authored | – “The Wolf of Wall Street” |
| – “Catching the Wolf of Wall Street” | |
| Key Achievements | Successful motivational speaking career post-incarceration |
| Controversies | Financial fraud, manipulation of penny stocks, boiler room operations |
| Residence | Hermosa Beach, California, USA |
| Hobbies | Writing, Public Speaking, Fitness |
| Website | www.jordanbelfort.com |
Invented “Wolf of Wall Street” Nickname
The nickname Wolf of Wall Street was actually a name Belfort gave to himself. It’s the title of his book as well as the movie that starred Leonardo DiCaprio. The name stuck and represents the aggressive, lavish lifestyle that Belfort lived while working as a stockbroker at Stratton Oakmont.
Early Life
Jordan Belfort was born on July 9, 1962, in the Bronx, New York and grew up in a middle-class Jewish family in Queens. He demonstrated his knack for business at an early age when he launched a meat and seafood sales operation that soon went bankrupt. Nevertheless, after a taste of Wall Street wealth, Jordan Belfort’s determination to obtain limitless luxury and power had only just begun.
Career
Jordan Belfort started Stratton Oakmont, a brokerage house that used extreme pressure tactics and systematic securities fraud to manipulate the stock market and cheat investors out of millions. At its height, Stratton Oakmont employed over 1,000 brokers, earned in excess of $1 billion in commission revenue, and raised nearly $1. 5 billion through stock sales. The firm routinely defrauded publicly traded corporations and manipulated the price of stocks while also selling stocks it was paid to promote.
Motivational Speaking Career
Following his 22 months in federal prison, Belfort reinvented himself as a motivational speaker. He developed a career teaching sales skills and speaking about the dangers of greed and unethical behavior in business. Belfort has traveled as far as Dubai to give speeches, making millions and somewhat refurbishing his image along the way.
Writing Career
Belfort’s memoir, The Wolf of Wall Street, became a bestseller and eventually served as the inspiration behind Martin Scorsese’s 2013 film. He also wrote a sequel to his first memoir, Catching the Wolf of Wall Street, and has published books on sales techniques and personal development. Not only do these books earn Belfort royalties, they also help maintain his notoriety in the public eye.
Personal Life
Belfort married Denise Lombardo in his 20s, but they divorced later. His second wife was a model, Nadine Caridi, who worked at Bay Ridge Medical Centre as a vice president. They started dating when she was only 22 years old and got married in 1985.
Long Island Mansion
Belfort lived in a mansion at Long Island, New York, during his days at Stratton Oakmont. The estate had a giant pool and was decorated elegantly, which pretty much summed up his luxury splurges. It was eventually confiscated and auctioned off by the government after Belfort’s arrest.
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FAQs
1. What happened to Jordan Belfort’s fortune?
Belfort lost all his fortune because of his criminal activity in the stock market, the payment of legal fees, and the tremendous restitution that he has to pay.
2. What Is Jordan Belfort’s Primary Source of Income Today?
His main sources of income are the money he gets from motivational speaking, book royalties, and his consulting services.
