From Drug Addiction to Launching MyPillow, Mike Lindell Is Worth Millions

Mike Lindell went from being a cocaine addict to the founder and CEO of MyPillow. How much is Mike Lindell's net worth? Here's what we know.

Robin Hill-Gray - Author
By

Apr. 21 2023, Updated 2:41 p.m. ET

You probably know him from the MyPillow commercials, which were regularly aired during the Tucker Carlson's show, or from being an avid Donald Trump supporter. Of course, we’re talking about Mike Lindell.

Lindell has made quite a name for himself, often serving as the face of the MyPillow brand. Despite running a successful company, Lindell’s reputation has steadily tarnished.

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Similarly to Rudy Guiliani, Lindell has been tied to many controversies, particularly after he began defending Trump’s claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Regardless of the issues Lindell has faced for his opinions, he’s still quite wealthy. Here’s a look at Lindell’s net worth.

Mike Lindell

Founder and CEO of MyPillow

Net worth: $50 million

Mike Lindell didn’t start out as a successful businessman. After dropping out of college, the MyPillow CEO developed a drug addiction. A gambling addiction followed, resulting in Lindell losing his home to foreclosure. After eventually getting sober, Lindell tried out many businesses until he hit succeeded with MyPillow.

Birthdate: June 28, 1961

Birthplace: Mankato, Minn.

Education: Attended the University of Minnesota but dropped out

Political Party: Republican

Spouse(s): Karen Dickey ​(divorced)​

Dallas Yocum ​(June 2013–July2013)​

Kids: 4

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Mike Lindell speaking during a Trump campaign rally on Oct. 10, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Source: Getty Images

Most of Mike Lindell's net worth comes from MyPillow.

Lindell is the founder and CEO of MyPillow — a company that specializes in pillows, bedding, and slipper manufacturing. The company has helped Lindell amass a net worth of $50 million.

Lindell first invented the MyPillow pillow in 2004, which he calls, the "most adjustable pillow in history." His first infomercial hit the screen in 2011.

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As a former addict, Lindell prides himself on the fact that many of his employees (20 percent–30 percent) are people seeking a second chance at life or have been former addicts themselves.

Lindell considered his business to be an instrument for a higher calling. His company has reportedly sold more than 50 million pillows and employees over 1,600 people.

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In 2017, however, the company’s accreditation was revoked by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), followed by a low rating of an "F" due to consistent customer complaints that focused on the same issues — pricing, pillow quality, and pains from using the products.

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The BBB contended that MyPillow’s “buy one get one free” sale violated a code of advertising saying that since the offer was continuous, it could “be construed as an item’s regular, everyday price.” Also, complaints by the BBB alleged that “As Seen On TV Claims” are listed on in-store products that don’t match the TV claim. Pillows were being advertised as being a premium version when the boxed product was just the standard pillow.

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Mike Lindell pictured behind Donald Trump at a rally in Fargo, N.D., on June 27, 2018
Source: Getty Images

Lindell promoted false COVID-19 treatments and political ideology.

Lindell has made headlines over the years for a number of things. In 2020, Lindell promoted the drug Oleandrin for the treatment of the COVID-19 virus. The MyPillow CEO called the drug “the miracle of all time,” although there weren’t any studies that showed Oleadrin was safe. According to experts, even the smallest dose of the drug could be deadly.

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Lindell’s name also circulated in the news regarding his investment in former President Donald Trump's campaign. In the past, Lindell shared with CNBC that he had spent $25 million of his own money to support Trump’s campaign. Specifically, he spent the money to support the since-debunked claim that the election was stolen from Trump.

While supporting Trump, Lindell stated, “We either only have two paths: either it gets changed before the 2022 election or we lose our country forever. I will spend every dime I have.” Lindell also said that he believes China interfered in the election somehow.

Lindell’s investments in his claims have landed him in hot water with Dominion Voting Systems, which opened a $1.3 billion suit against him along with the $1.6 billion countersuit by MyPillow against Dominion.

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The MyPillow CEO is also on the line for $5 million owed to Robert Zeidman, the supposed winner of the "Prove Mike Wrong Challenge." In August 2021, Lindell launched the competition, offering $5 million to anyone who could prove that "packet captures," along with other data he released, were not valid data "from the November 2020 election," NPR shared.

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When Zeidman wasn't crowned the winner, he took the case to arbitration where a panel of three arbitrators ordered Lindell to pay up. Despite the outcome, Lindell doesn't plan on paying.

Mike Lindell standing outside the White House wearing a blue suit on Jan. 15, 2021
Source: Getty Images

The House Committee subpoenaed Lindell.

Lindell’s phone records were subpoenaed by the House Committee to investigate his possible involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Lindell told CNBC, “... we filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the January 6 committee and Verizon to completely invalidate this corrupt subpoena.”

Lindell maintained that he didn't attend the capitol insurrection. Speculations increased with claims that he was at several pro-Trump meetings during the days that led up to the insurrection.

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