![KEVIN O'LEARY - Dare to DREAM](https://cdn.magzter.com/1626675679/1692801705/articles/dIpz1qQ-j1692871800042/KEVIN-OLEARY-DARE-TO-DREAM.jpg)
Long before he was a successful businessman or Shark Tank’s “Mr. Wonderful,” Kevin O’Leary was a groom who couldn’t pay for a reception. “We couldn’t afford a fancy wedding. We had a beer at the house and ordered pizza — [and ate it] on just paper plates,” he confides to Closer. “Same gal today,” he adds of his wife, Linda, “so I know she’s not after me because of my success!”
Of course, the Canadian businessman has come a long way. He grew the Learning Company out of a basement, turning it into a profitable business venture that eventually sold for big bucks. That set Kevin on a path to helping other new entrepreneurs as an investor. Today, he sits alongside fellow business gurus Lori Greiner, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban on Shark Tank.
What was your childhood like?
I had an unusual upbringing, although I didn’t think it was unique. My biological father died when I was very young, and my mother married a man who was an engineer and later became an expert for the United Nations. So if a country wanted to build a water system or develop some other resource, he would be sent there for two years and help the government build these facilities. So Cyprus, Cambodia, Tunisia, Ethiopia — every 24 months, I moved. It was a remarkable childhood. When we got to Cambodia — a very, very beautiful country — it was in the throes of the Vietnam War.
Your love of cooking is well known. Did all the moving around as a child influence your love of food?
Esta historia es de la edición September 04, 2023 de Closer US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 04, 2023 de Closer US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![DOLLY PARTON Meet My FAMILY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1729630/U09nGQN0C1718130162503/DOLLY-PARTON-MEET-MY-FAMILY.jpg)
DOLLY PARTON Meet My FAMILY
THE COUNTRY MUSIC QUEEN IS SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT WITH HER NEAREST AND DEAREST
![ROBERT MITCHUM Fame, Regrets & LASTING LOVE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1729630/db4gXzWXC1718130065672/ROBERT-MITCHUM-FAME-REGRETS-LASTING-LOVE.jpg)
ROBERT MITCHUM Fame, Regrets & LASTING LOVE
HE LIVED HIS LIFE ON HIS OWN TERMS BUT COULD NEVER ABANDON THE WOMAN WHO KNEW HIM BEST
![ERNEST THOMAS You've Got to HAVE FAITH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1729630/uBsVGz6L-1718129499047/ERNEST-THOMAS-YOUVE-GOT-TO-HAVE-FAITH.jpg)
ERNEST THOMAS You've Got to HAVE FAITH
The What's Happening!! alum looks back at the long road he's traveled
![HOW TO REDUCE NECK & SHOULDER PAIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1729630/ZejVP3Hyx1718129404823/HOW-TO-REDUCE-NECK-SHOULDER-PAIN.jpg)
HOW TO REDUCE NECK & SHOULDER PAIN
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS FOR BETTER MOBILITY & STRENGTH
![Summer-Perfect TROPICAL SIPS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1729630/v0hq2YkTK1718128911517/SUMMERPERFECT-TROPICAL-SIPS.jpg)
Summer-Perfect TROPICAL SIPS
Serve up one of these creative and mouthwatering tipples at your next alfresco gathering
![Liza Minnelli & Judy Garland SECRETS They Kept From the World](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1729630/KomYYCET91718128603320/LIZA-MINNELLI-JUDY-GARLAND-SECRETS-THEY-KEPT-FROM-THE-WORLD.jpg)
Liza Minnelli & Judy Garland SECRETS They Kept From the World
LIZA PROTECTS HER MOTHER'S LEGACY WITH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, LOYALTY AND RESPECT
![Longevity-Boosting DINNER WINNERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1723090/kpE6wh-nD1717614166298/LONGEVITYBOOSTING-DINNER-WINNERS.jpg)
Longevity-Boosting DINNER WINNERS
These easy-to-make, expert-approved recipes are guaranteed to nourish your body and satisfy your taste buds
![MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1723090/_4tS7LijF1717613390915/MY-LIFE-IN-10-PICTURES.jpg)
MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures
GROWING UP in NYC's South Bronx, Jennifer Lynn Lopez was always determined to be more than just Jenny From the Block.
![5 BEST EXERCISES FOR A LONGER LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1723090/9ccChuBGQ1717613250765/5-BEST-EXERCISES-FOR-A-LONGER-LIFE.jpg)
5 BEST EXERCISES FOR A LONGER LIFE
YOU DON'T NEED TO JOIN A GYM TO STAY HEALTHY AND ACTIVE
![I'm Ready for My Comeback!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1723090/U8Z-0jN_g1717613111030/IM-READY-FOR-MY-COMEBACK.jpg)
I'm Ready for My Comeback!
He's been out of the public eye since 2014, but now Richard Simmons says he's ready to make a comeback- on Broadway! \"I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who is an attorney and manages famous artists in music,\" the fitness guru, 75, posted on Facebook.