What is Russell Weiner’s net worth?

Russell Weiner, also known as “Russ”, is an American entrepreneur with a net worth of $4 billion. He is the founder, creator, and CEO of the popular Rockstar Energy Drink company, which has become the third most-consumed energy drink in the United States with annual sales of over $800 million.

Since the company’s inception, Weiner had owned 85% of Rockstar, with his mother Janet owning the remaining 15% as an early investor and longtime CFO. In 2014, Rockstar earned a valuation of $1.8 billion, officially making Weiner a billionaire.

Recently, in March 2020, Pepsico acquired Rockstar in full for $3.85 billion in cash, solidifying the company’s success and Weiner’s financial standing.

Russ Weiner’s Family Background

Russ Weiner was born in 1970 and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. His father, Michael Savage, is a well-known conservative radio personality and talk radio host.

Weiner attended Redwood High School in Marin County and later went on to study at San Diego State University.

Prior to founding Rockstar

Russ Weiner landed a business development position at Skyy Vodka after randomly meeting company founder Maurice Kanbar. After a year at Skyy, Weiner quit to start Rockstar. He had attempted to convince his higher-ups at Skyy to create an energy drink to rival Red Bull but was rejected. So he decided to launch the rival energy drink on his own.

He tried to raise startup money from banks and business colleagues but came up empty. Russ ultimately decided to mortgage his condo in Sausalito, California to raise $50,000 startup costs. Most importantly, his mother Janet also kicked in some funds of her own and was rewarded with a 15% stake in the company.

Russ and Rockstar’s major innovation was simple:

Russ Weiner’s Success with Rockstar Energy Drink

Russ Weiner was frustrated with the limited size of Red Bull cans, so he created his own energy drink formula with 12-ounce cans and began selling it out of a black limo in the Bay Area in 2001. The drink was an instant success, and by the late 2000s, Rockstar was generating over $100 million in revenue annually. By 2014, the company was valued at $1.85 billion, giving Russ’ 85% stake a value of $1.6 billion before taxes.

In March 2020, Russ sold Rockstar to Pepsi for $3.85 billion, which increased his net worth to over $4 billion after taxes. Russ’ mother, Janey, had been given a 15% stake in Rockstar for her early support, which resulted in her receiving $525 million from the sale to Pepsi.

Russell Weiner’s Impressive Real Estate Portfolio

Russell Weiner is a successful real estate investor and flipper who has flipped hundreds of millions of dollars worth of real estate over the last decade. His current real estate portfolio is estimated to be worth at least $150 million.

In 2012, Weiner sold his Palm Island Miami mansion to rapper Birdman for $14.5 million, which he had bought out of foreclosure from music producer Scott Storch. He purchased the house for $6.75 million in 2010, doubling his investment in just two years.

Another notable property in Weiner’s portfolio is a beachfront home in Hermosa Beach, California, which he purchased for $10 million in 2013. He listed the property for $21 million in 2019, ultimately accepting $14.3 million for the sale.

In 2019, Weiner bought a 12,500 square-foot mansion in the Hollywood Hills for $16.5 million. The property had previously been bought for $27 million three years prior. Weiner also owns several other Los Angeles homes, including two estates in the exclusive Beverly Park area and Madonna’s former Sunset Boulevard compound.

Most recently, in May 2022, Weiner paid $39.6 million for a 17,500 square-foot mansion in Park City, Utah, setting the record for the most expensive home sold in Utah history. He spent a year performing upgrades and renovations before listing it for sale in February 2023 for $50 million.

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