Brielle Biermann has also appeared on episodes of the TV series Watch What Happens: Live, The Doctors, E! News Life, and Celebrity Page. She is also a model who walked for Michael Kuluva at New York Fashion Week in 2013. She has been romantically involved with minor league pitcher Michael Kopech of the Boston Red Sox. It was reported that Brielle Biermann earned $10 thousand for each episode of Don’t Be Tardy for a total salary of $120 thousand.

Michael Kopech is a professional baseball pitcher who has a net worth of $3 million. Michael Kopech plays for MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers. Previously, he played for the Chicago White Sox between 2018 and 2024. Among his career accomplishments, Kopech became the first White Sox pitcher since Sloppy Thurston in 1923 to throw an immaculate inning, which he did in 2024.

He was traded to the Dodgers in July 2024, going from the worst team in baseball to one of the best. He brought with him his 1-year, $3 million contract.

In July 2019 Michael became engaged to actress Vanessa Morgan. He was previously romantically linked to reality star Brielle Biermann. Michael and Vanessa were married for less than a year. He filed for divorce in June 2020. A month later Vanessa revealed she was pregnant.

Early Life and Education

Michael Kopech was born on April 30, 1996 in Mount Pleasant, Texas. As a teen, he attended Mount Pleasant High School, where he briefly played baseball. In 11 games at Mount Pleasant, Kopech went 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA. He also earned 2014 Perfect Game First-Team All-American honors. Although he committed to attending the University of Arizona for college, Kopech ended up beginning his professional baseball career instead.

Minor League Career

In the 2014 MLB draft, Kopech was chosen in the first round with the 33rd overall pick by the Boston Red Sox. He went on to commence his professional career in the minor leagues with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox. In 2015, Kopech moved to the Greenville Drive of the Single-A South Atlantic League, and went 4-5 with a 2.63 ERA in 15 games. The following season, he played with the New York-Penn League’s Lowell Spinners before being promoted to the Carolina League’s Salem Red Sox. With Salem, Kopech was named the Carolina League Player of the Month for August after striking out 82 hitters. After the 2016 season, he played for the Arizona Fall League’s Surprise Saguaros.

In late 2016, Kopech was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He started out in the team’s farm system in 2017, playing for the Double-A Birmingham Barons and then the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Kopech began the 2018 season with the Knights, going 7-7 with a 4.13 ERA.

Chicago White Sox

Kopech was called up to the Chicago White Sox in August of 2018. He subsequently made his MLB debut, in a game against the Minnesota Twins. Kopech was only able to make four starts before he underwent Tommy John surgery in September, ending his season. He went on to miss the entirety of the 2019 season, and also the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Upon his return for the 2021 season, Kopech was moved to the White Sox bullpen. In late May, he slipped and fell off the mound during a pitch and was placed on the injured list; he returned to the active roster at the end of June. Kopech ultimately played 44 games in the 2021 regular season, going 4-3 with a 3.50 ERA. He subsequently made his postseason debut as the White Sox reached the ALDS, where they were defeated by the Houston Astros.

In the 2022 season, Kopech was on and off the injured list; he went 5-9 with a 3.54 ERA. The next season, he went 5-12 with a 5.43 ERA in 30 games, his season ending early due to cyst surgery on his knee in September. In the 2024 season, his final with the White Sox, Kopech achieved a milestone when he threw an immaculate inning in a July 10 game against the Minnesota Twins. This made him the first White Sox pitcher to throw an immaculate inning since Sloppy Thurston in 1923, over 100 years earlier. However, Kopech also posted a dismal record of 2-8 with a 4.74 ERA in his 43 games that season. The 2024 Chicago White Sox ultimately became one of the most losing teams in MLB history.

Los Angeles Dodgers

At the end of July in 2024, Kopech was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Personal Life

In 2019, Kopech got engaged to Canadian actress Vanessa Morgan. The couple married in early 2020 but got divorced five months later. Morgan gave birth to their son in early 2021. Kopech had a second son, with fitness instructor Morgan Eudy, in 2022. He and Eudy got engaged in 2023 and had another child together.

Michael Kopech Career Earnings

• Chicago White Sox (2023)$2.1 Million
• Chicago White Sox (2022)$730 Thousand
• Chicago White Sox (2021)$570.5 Thousand
• Chicago White Sox (2019)$555 Thousand
• Chicago White Sox (2018)$120.1 Thousand
• Boston Red Sox (2014)$1.5 Million
• Total Earnings$5.5 Million

Dwight Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former professional soccer player who has a net worth of $25 million. Dwight Yorke was born in Canaan, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago in November 1971. Yorke was a forward and midfielder who played his youth soccer for Signal Hill Comprehensive School from 1988 to 1989. He started his senior career playing for Aston Villa from 1989 to 1998 where he scored 73 goals in 232 appearances. Yorke played for Manchester United from 1998 to 2002 and scored 48 goals in 96 caps. From 2002 to 2004 he played for Blackburn Rovers and scored 12 goals in 60 games. He played for Birmingham City from 2004 to 2005 and Sydney from 2005 to 2006.

Yorke played for Sunderland from 2006 to 2009 before finishing his career for Tobago United from 2009 to 2010. He finished with 147 goals in 479 appearances. Yorke also reprinted Trinidad and Tobago in international competition from 1989 to 2009 scoring 19 goals in 74 caps. He is tied for the record for competing in six different World Cup competitions. He was nicknamed “The Smiling Assassin” for his goal scoring ability and for constantly smiling. Yorke served as assistant manager for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. His autobiography “Born To Score” was published in 2009.

Peter Andre is an English-born Australian television personality who has a net worth of $20 million. Born in Harrow, London, England, Peter Andre grew up in Australia, and began writing songs when he was in middle school. He was offered his first recording contract on national television after winning a talent competition. He released his self-titled debut album in 1993, but it was not until 1996’s “Natural”, that he broke through. The album reached #1 in the UK, and spawned two hit singles, “Flava” and “I Feel You”.

His third album was considerably less successful, though four of his singles reached the top 20. He was subsequently dropped by his label and went on hiatus. In 2004 he appeared on the reality show, “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!” and re-released one of his earlier hit singles, and then a new album. He released another album, “Revelation”, in 2009, which reached #3 on the charts, and followed it up with two more albums, “Unconditional: Love Songs” in 2010, and “Accelerate” in late 2010. Both albums reached the top 10 as well.

Rachel Foulger is an American reality television personality who has a net worth of $450 thousand dollars. Rachel Foulger is probably best known for appearing on Survivor: Blood vs Water with her boyfriend and fellow Survivor contestant, Tyson Apostol.

She currently lives with Apostol in Provo, Utah where she works as a cocktail waitress and a graphic designer. She started dating Apostol in 2008 right before he competed on the show for the first time. In 2014, the couple appeared on the hit reality series Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars where they work on their relationship in front of the cameras in an effort to form an even stronger bond. They also married in 2014.

John Bishop is an English comedian and actor who has a net worth of $19 million. John Bishop was born in Liverpool, England in November 1966. He is also known for his charity work and raised 4.2 million Pounds for Sport Relief 2012. Bishop played soccer and was a pharmaceutical rep before he started his stand-up comedy career. He made his television debut on the series The Panel and then appeared in the E4 drama series Skins.

Bishop starred in the film Route Irish. He has been featured on his own television series John Bishop’s Britain from 2010 to 2011, John Bishop’s Only Joking in 2013, and The John Bishop Shop since 2015. He also hosts Bishop’s Sunday Service on Radio City 96.7 in Liverpool. He has released the comedy DVDs The Elvis Has Left the Building Tour, The Sunshine Tour, and Rollercoaster Tour 2012. In 2010 he won a British Comedy Award for Best Male Comedy Breakthrough Artist.

Katie Price, AKA Jordan, is an English celebrity and former glamour model who has a net worth of $1 million. Katie Price gained recognition as a glamor model in the late 90s under the pseudonym Jordan. She has appeared on numerous reality television series since then, including “I’m a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here!” and “Celebrity Big Brother,” as well as her own self-focused series “Jordan,” “Katie & Peter,” and “Katie Price: My Crazy Life.” As a nominal author, Price has published multiple novels, autobiographies, and children’s books.

Katie Price began modeling as a child, and was hired to model for a children’s clothing line when she was 13. Unfortunately, the photographer insisted that she model in her underwear, and it turned out he was actually a convicted pedophile. It was not a particularly auspicious way to begin her professional career. After leaving school at age 16, where she was a champion swimmer, she relaunched her modeling career. This time she was more successful, appearing in multiple British publications, including a high-profile spread on Page Three, the topless glamour model section of “The Sun” tabloid. Beginning in 1996, she became a fixture on Page Three and in various magazines, such as FHM, Nuts, Maxim, British Playboy, and Loaded. She has since also appeared on the cover of Playboy in the US, and in Vogue and Esquire. She has written columns, released books about her life, appeared on various reality shows, hosted programs, launched clothing and haircare lines, and continued to model.

Price has had many highly publicized personal relationships. She has been married three times, to include singer Peter Andre (2005-2009), professional fighter Alex Reid (2010-2011) and builder and part-time stripper Kieran Hayler, whom she married in 2013. It is public knowledge that Hayler cheated on Price and the world speculated on the fate of their marriage as Price vacillated about whether or not she would stay with him because of their kids. In June of 2014, Price told ‘Mirror’ (celebrity news) that she felt that she owed it to her children to give Hayler a second chance, though she also said the reconciliation ultimately was not successful.

Bankruptcy

At the peak of her career in the mid-2000s, Katie’s fortune topped $40 million. Amazingly, over the ensuing decade Katie blew through the majority of her fortune. In June 2019 her finances were in such disrepair that she was forced to file for a bankruptcy debt restructuring which a U.K. court granted. Dozens of creditors reportedly lined up to seek repayment of debts owed by Ms. Price. According to her bankruptcy arrangement, she will repay what she owes at somewhat reduced levels. She also reportedly owed millions in taxes.

Early Life

Katie Price was born as Katrina Infield on May 22, 1978 in Brighton, England as the only child of Amy and Ray. She is of Italian, English, and Spanish descent. When Price was four, her father left the family, and her mother later got remarried to builder Paul Price. From the remarriage, she has an older half-brother, Daniel, and a younger half-sister, Sophie. Price was educated at Blatchington Mill School in Hove, where she excelled in swimming. Additionally, she cultivated a passion for horse riding growing up.

Modeling Career

Price began her modeling career as a child, and at the age of 13, modeled for a line of apparel. Her breakthrough came in 1996 when she began appearing in the British newspaper the Sun under the pseudonym Jordan; she soon became renowned for her regular appearances on Page 3 of the paper. Price went on to appear in such publications as the Daily Star, FHM, Nuts, Maxim, Vogue, Esquire, and the British edition of Playboy. As a model, she gained fame for her surgically-enhanced bosom.

Television Career

Since the early 2000s, Price has been a regular on television, especially on reality, documentary, and game shows. Between 2002 and 2004, she was the subject of three Channel 4 documentaries: “Jordan: The Truth About Me,” “Jordan: The Model Mum,” and “Jordan: You Don’t Even Know Me.” She subsequently began the “Katie & Peter” franchise on ITV2, which chronicled the domestic lives of Price and her then-husband Peter Andre. Shows in the series included “When Jordan Met Peter,” “Jordan & Peter: Marriage and Mayhem,” “Katie & Peter: The Baby Diaries,” and “Katie & Peter: Stateside.” Price went on to launch the series “What Katie Did Next” after her divorce from Andre. The show was rebranded a few times over the years, first as “Katie” and then as “Katie Price: My Crazy Life.”

Among her other notable television appearances, Price competed on the third and ninth seasons of the survival reality show “I’m a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here!” She has also appeared on such game shows as “Celebrity Juice,” “Deal or No Deal,” “Safeword,” “Reality Bites,” “The Crystal Maze,” and “Celebrity Masterchef.” In 2015, Price was the winner of the 15th season of the British version of “Celebrity Big Brother.” Meanwhile, between 2015 and 2018, she was a regular panelist on the talk show “Loose Women.”

Books

Price has released a large number of books, the first 14 of which were ghostwritten by Rebecca Farnworth. Among her titles are the autobiographies “Being Jordan,” “A Whole New World,” “Love, Lipstick and Lies” and “Reborn.” Her novels include “Angel,” “Crystal,” “Sapphire,” “Santa Baby,” and “In the Name of Love.” Price also has two children’s book series: “Perfect Ponies” and “Mermaids & Pirates.”

Business Endeavors

As a businesswoman, Price has a line of nutrition supplements that has been criticized for being overly expensive and unnecessary. She also has a perfume called Stunning, and a line of equestrian apparel called KP Equestrian.

Music Career

Although not a singer, Price released a single entitled “Free to Love Again” in the summer of 2010. Earlier, she collaborated with her then-husband Peter Andre on his 2006 studio album “A Whole New World.”

Marriages and Relationships

Price has had multiple romantic relationships and marriages. With her former boyfriend Dwight Yorke, she had her first child in 2002; the child, Harvey, was born blind and was later diagnosed with autism and Prader-Willi syndrome. In 2005, Price wed her first husband, singer and television personality Peter Andre, whom she had met on the reality show “I’m a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here!” The couple had a son named Junior and a daughter named Princess. Price had a miscarriage in 2009, and got divorced from Andre later in the year. She went on to date MMA fighter and actor Alex Reid, whom she married in early 2010. The pair split in early 2011 and divorced in 2012. Price wed her third husband, Kieran Hayler, in early 2013. They had a son and a daughter before divorcing in 2021 due to Hayler’s extramarital affair. Before the divorce was finalized, Price was briefly engaged to Kris Boyson.

Legal and Health Issues

Since 2008, Price has had many run-ins with the law, mostly in relation to driving incidents. She has been issued frequent warnings and driving bans for various reasons, including for failing to properly control her vehicle, speeding, failing to stop at a red light, drunk driving, and violating the conditions of previous bans. In the spring of 2018, Price was carjacked, robbed, and reportedly raped in South Africa; she subsequently suffered a mental breakdown and tried to kill herself. The following year, she was fined and issued a restraining order for shouting at a woman on a school playground. Due to her many troubles, Price declared bankruptcy in late 2019.

Vanessa Morgan is a Canadian actress who has a net worth of $4 million. Vanessa Morgan is probably best known for starring as Toni Topaz on The CW series “Riverdale” (2017present), and she also played Amanda Pierce on “The Latest Buzz” (20072010), Sarah on “My Babysitter’s a Vampire” (20112012), Beatrix “Bird” Castro on “Finding Carter” (20142015), and Lyria on MTV’s “The Shannara Chronicles” (2017). Vanessa released the single and music video “Be My Joker” in 2018, and she appeared in the music video for Kygo and Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love” in 2019.

Riverdale Salary

In March 2020, Vanessa tweeted:

“Tired of how black people are portrayed in Media, tired of us being portrayed as thugs, dangerous or angry scary people. Tired of us also being used as sidekick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only used in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show.”

She also revealed that on “Riverdale,” she’s “the only black series regular but also paid the least.“

The show’s creator, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, responded:

“We hear Vanessa. We love Vanessa. She’s right. We’re sorry and we make the same promise to you that we did to her. We will do better to honor her and the character she plays. As well as all of our actors and characters of color.“

As a result, Vanessa Morgan’s per episode salary was reportedly boosted from $20,000 to $40,000. That works out to around $880,000 per season.

Early Life

Vanessa Morgan was born Vanessa Morgan Mziray on March 23, 1992, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She grew up with a Scottish mother and Tanzanian father, and she has a sister, Celina. In 2013, Vanessa and Celina competed on “The Amazing Race Canada” and finished in third place. Morgan started singing at just 6 years old, performing at telethons and community events, and in 1999, she received a scholarship to an acting school in Hollywood after being discovered by a Hollywood agent. That year Vanessa won the Junior Miss America pageant and was named the top vocalist at the National Date Festival in Indio, California. The following year, she won the African-American Vocal Competition in Palm Springs, California. During her youth, Vanessa also participated in the Ottawa Athletic Club’s NTA tennis program. She attended Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa, graduating in 2010, then enrolled at Queen’s University to study philosophy.

Career

Vanessa Morgan made her acting debut in 2000 when she played the young version of Vanessa L. Williams’ Ebony Scrooge in the VH1 film “A Diva’s Christmas Carol.” She was a series regular of the Canadian teen sitcom “The Latest Buzz” from 2007 to 2010, and she performed the show’s theme song as well. In 2010, Vanessa starred as Marion Hawthorne in the TV movie “Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars” and played a teenage version of Halle Berry’s Frankie Murdoch in the film “Frankie & Alice.” That year Morgan also starred as the titular vampire in the Disney Channel/Teletoon film “My Babysitter’s a Vampire,” which was turned into a series the following year.

She played Hannah Mornell in the 2011 Disney Channel movie “Geek Charming” and had a recurring role as Jeanne Gossamer / Vanessa LaFontaine on the Disney Channel series “A.N.T. Farm” in 2012. Vanessa guest-starred on “Degrassi” (2013), “Saving Hope” (2013), and “Some Assembly Required” (2015), and in 2014, she appeared in the Lifetime movie “Guilty at 17” and the short film “The Night Session.” From 2014 to 2015, Morgan appeared in 27 episodes of MTV’s “Finding Carter,” and she returned to MTV to play Lyria in season two of “The Shannara Chronicles.”

After being passed over for the role of Josie McCoy, Vanessa was cast as Toni Topaz on “Riverdale” in 2017; her part began as a recurring role, and she was promoted to a series regular in season three. Morgan’s Toni Topaz spent her high school years as a member of the Southside Serpents, leader of the Pretty Poisons, and bartender at the Whyte Wyrm. Vanessa received death threats from fans who thought Toni (who is bisexual) would cause problems for Betty and Jughead (aka “Bughead”), but she has said she feels honored to play a character like Toni, stating:

“It’s one of those things where it’s scary but I’m so happy. A lot of people judge bisexuality as ‘being promiscuous’ or something like that. But I believe you can love somebody, you can fall in love with a person’s soul.“

Morgan has shown off her singing abilities in several “Riverdale” episodes, including “Chapter Fifty: American Dreams” and “Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun.” In 2018, she co-starred with Keke Palmer and DMX in the film “Pimp,” and in 2019, she appeared on “Lip Sync Battle” and performed Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop.”

Personal Life

Vanessa married professional baseball player Michael Kopech on January 4, 2020, after a six-month engagement. Michael filed for divorce in June 2020, and Morgan announced that she was pregnant in July.

A few months later, Vanessa’s “Riverdale” co-stars threw her a Halloween-themed baby shower, and she welcomed a son, River, on January 29, 2021. Morgan’s pregnancy was written into the fifth season of “Riverdale,” which took place after a seven-year time jump.

Awards and Nominations

Morgan has been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards for “Riverdale,” winning Choice: Scene Stealer and Choice TV: Breakout Star in 2018; Vanessa and co-star Madelaine Petsch were nominated for Choice Ship in 2019. Morgan won the Rising Star Award at the 2014 Planet Africa Awards, and in 2009, “The Latest Buzz” earned her a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress. In 2019, Vanessa and her “Riverdale” castmates received an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for Best Musical Moment for their performance of “Seventeen” in the season three episode “Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun.”

Carter Reum is an American entrepreneur and author who has a net worth of $20 million. Carter Reum is probably best known for being married to Paris Hilton. They became engaged in February 2021, married in November of that year and welcomed a son in January 2023. Outside of his personal life, Carter is a founder of the investment company M13 Ventures. He has successfully established and grown multiple companies, including VEEV Spirits, authored an acclaimed business book, and engaged in numerous philanthropic endeavors.

Education and Early Career

Born on February 5, 1981, in Wayne, Illinois, Carter Reum’s first major milestone came when he graduated from Columbia University in 2003 with a degree in economics. During his time at Columbia, Reum demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by launching multiple business ventures, which laid the groundwork for his later successes. After graduation, he joined Goldman Sachs as an investment banker, where he gained valuable experience and sharpened his financial acumen.

VEEV Spirits

In 2007, Carter Reum, along with his brother Courtney Reum, co-founded VEEV Spirits, an eco-friendly liquor company. The company’s flagship product, VEEV Aa Spirit, quickly gained popularity for its unique flavor and commitment to sustainability. The Reum brothers’ dedication to eco-friendly practices garnered them considerable attention, as VEEV became the first spirits brand to be certified as carbon neutral. This innovative venture represented a significant milestone in Carter’s entrepreneurial journey.

M13

In 2016, Carter Reum, along with his brother Courtney, launched M13, a venture capital firm focused on consumer products and services. M13 has since become an influential player in the startup ecosystem, with notable investments in companies such as Lyft, Ring, and Snapchat. As co-founders, the Reum brothers have played an instrumental role in shaping the firm’s investment strategy, as well as providing hands-on mentorship and guidance to the companies in their portfolio. The establishment and growth of M13 is a testament to Carter Reum’s prowess as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

“Shortcut Your Startup”

In 2018, Carter Reum, alongside his brother Courtney, authored the book “Shortcut Your Startup: Speed Up Success with Unconventional Advice from the Trenches.” The book offers valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, drawing from the Reum brothers’ personal experiences in launching and growing their businesses.

Philanthropy

Carter Reum’s dedication to giving back to society has been evident throughout his career. He has been actively involved in philanthropy, both personally and through his businesses. VEEV Spirits, for example, donated a portion of its proceeds to environmental causes, while M13’s investment strategy includes a focus on socially responsible businesses. In addition to his corporate philanthropy, Reum is a supporter of several non-profit organizations, including Pencils of Promise, which focuses on improving global education, and the Art of Elysium, which supports artists working with hospitalized youth.

Personal Life

In February 2021, Carter Reum got engaged to socialite and businesswoman Paris Hilton. They married in November 2021 in Los Angeles. They welcomed their first child together, via surrogacy, in January 2023, a son named Phoenix Baron Hilton Reum.

Carter also has a child from a previous relationship with actress Laura Bellizzi.

Ray Kroc was an American businessman and entrepreneur who had a net worth of $600 million at the time of his death in 1984. That’s the same as $1.4 billion today after adjusting for inflation.

Ray Kroc passed away on January 14, 1984, at 81 years old, from heart failure. His widow, Joan Kroc, was worth $3 billion when she died in 2003. She gave nearly the entire fortune away to charity. At McDonald’s current stock price, the Kroc’s fortune would be worth $18 billion had it not been donated to charity.

Ray Kroc is best known for popularizing the McDonald’s brand and helping it become a worldwide phenomenon. Under Ray’s leadership, McDonald’s grew from a small enterprise into the most profitable fast-food corporation on the planet. This resulted in many referring to him as the founder of McDonald’s, although this has been disputed. Outside of his fast-food endeavors, Kroc served as the owner of the San Diego Padres of the MLB from 1974 until his passing in 1984.

Early Life

Raymond Albert Kroc was born on October 5th, 1902, in Oak Park, Illinois. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago by Czech-American parents, Ray witnessed his family go through tremendous financial hardships during his early adult life. His father, Alois “Louis” Kroc, raked in a tremendous amount of money speculating on land in the 20s, but he lost everything in the stock market crash of 1929.

During World War I, Ray Kroc lied about his age and somehow found himself working as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross at the age of 15. He rubbed shoulders with Walt Disney during this period. However, he didn’t see much action, as the war ended shortly after he enlisted. Upon returning to the United States, Kroc struggled to make ends meet — especially after the Great Depression hit. During this period, he sold paper cups, worked as a real estate agent, and played the piano in various bands.

Ray’s Role with McDonald’s

After World War II, Kroc found himself selling milkshake mixers. This eventually brought him into contact with Richard and Maurice McDonald, two brothers who had started the original McDonald’s. Ray Kroc was hired as a franchise agent, and he began opening his own McDonald’s locations throughout the nation. Ray eventually bought out the brothers in 1961 for $2.7 million, retaining sole control over the McDonald’s corporation.

Over the next few years, Kroc revolutionized the fast-food industry, making several notable changes to the franchise model. His main goal was to exert as much control over each individual franchise location to ensure maximum consistency. All locations were kept sanitized at all times, and the menu was always standardized. The goal was to make each burger taste exactly the same regardless of the location.

He also received assistance from Harry Sonneborn, his “financial wizard.” Among other things, Harry helped orchestrate the buyout of the McDonald’s brothers. By the time he had passed away, Kroc had spread the McDonald’s franchise across 7,500 different outlets in the United States. Many others existed across 31 different countries and territories. The McDonald’s corporation was worth $8 billion at this point.

Post-Retirement

Kroc eventually stepped down from his leadership role at McDonald’s in 1974, spending the rest of his days running the San Diego Padres. He eventually allowed his son-in-law to run the baseball team.

Relationships

Ray first married Ethel Fleming and their marriage lasted from 1922 until 1961. He then married Jane Dobbins Green in 1963, although this marriage also ended in divorce by 1968. He remained married to his third spouse, Joan Kroc, until his death. Over the course of her life, Joan donated a considerable amount of the Kroc estate to various charities. When Joan died in 2003, she was worth $3 billion. However, she gave almost the entire fortune away to charity when she passed away in 2003, with $1.5 billion going directly to The Salvation Army.

Real Estate

In 2020, it was reported that a 554-acre property once owned by Ray Croc had been listed for $29 million. Situated in the Santa Ynez Valley, the property features a circular home known locally as “the hamburger.” Kroc and his wife Jane originally purchased the property back in 1965 for $600,000. This was immediately after McDonald’s first hit the stock market and instantly made Kroc a millionaire. After purchasing the property, he called it the “J and R Double Arch Ranch.” After building a number of impressive structures, Ray used the land for McDonald’s research and as a vacation getaway from himself and his most trusted McExecutives.

However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that Kroc built the famous hamburger house. This was after he had remarried. The structure is actually quite stylish and features an open space concept with extremely high ceilings. It also offers exceptional 360-degree views of the surrounding valley, with a central fire pit as a focal point for the large space.

Originally, this residence featured two stylized golden arches near the entrance as an homage to McDonald’s. However, this feature was eventually removed. Perhaps the most impressive part of the property is a 17,000-square-foot lodge that was originally built in the late 60s. It features a dining room with enough space to seat 100 people, plus a 3,000-square-foot great room and a 5,200-square-foot conference hall. This property was eventually listed by Joan Kroc for $14 million in 1989. She intended to donate the proceeds to charity, and the property was eventually purchased by the man who started Nature’s Plus vitamins, Gerald Kessler. Kessler renamed it the Circle K Ranch, and a legal battle ensued among his beneficiaries after his passing. Kessler’s widow eventually took possession of the property and listed it in 2020.