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'Wolf of Wall Street' Jordan Belfort Lost a Fortune After His Scam Was Exposed; Here's His Net Worth

Jordan Belfort's net worth stands at a staggering negative $100 million. His financial downfall is a result of a dark past filled with fraudulent schemes and criminal activities.
UPDATED DEC 19, 2023
Wolf of Wall St." Former Wall St. Broker who was jailed for securities fraud, while CEO of Stratton Oakmont. He has written a book called "The Wolf of Wall St." about his experiences/ Photo by David Howells/Corbis via Getty Images
Wolf of Wall St." Former Wall St. Broker who was jailed for securities fraud, while CEO of Stratton Oakmont. He has written a book called "The Wolf of Wall St." about his experiences/ Photo by David Howells/Corbis via Getty Images
Name  Jordan Belfort
Networth -$100 Million
Salary $1 Million
Annual Income $20 Million+
Source of Income Entrepreneurship, motivational speaking, consulting
DOB Jul 9, 1962
Age 61 years old
Gender Male
Profession Motivational speaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Screenwriter
Nationality American

Jordan Belfort's net worth is currently negative $100 million due to his involvement in fraudulent activities, particularly pump-and-dump schemes conducted through his financial firm, Stratton Oakmont, from 1989 to 1996. Belfort, a former stockbroker and author, defrauded victims of hundreds of millions of dollars, leading to his indictment for securities fraud and money laundering in 1999. Despite his negative net worth, he has reinvented himself as a motivational speaker, charging substantial fees for speaking engagements and seminars.

Jordan Ross Belfort was born in The Bronx, New York, on July 9, 1962. Raised in Bayside, Queens, he initially pursued a career in dentistry but left after one day of classes. Belfort entered the finance world and, after facing setbacks, founded Stratton Oakmont in the early 1990s. Convicted of securities fraud and money laundering in 1999, he served 22 months in prison.

Post-release, Belfort became a motivational speaker through his company, Global Motivation, Inc. He emphasizes the importance of ethics and learning from mistakes in business. Additionally, Belfort is a published author, with memoirs like "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Catching the Wolf of Wall Street," the former adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Belfort owned the luxury yacht "Nadine," built in 1961 for Coco Chanel. Renamed after his second wife, the yacht sank off the coast of Sardinia in June 1996. Belfort admitted to insisting on sailing in high winds against the captain's advice, leading to the vessel's demise. The Italian Navy's special forces rescued all aboard.

Belfort's rise to success involved founding Stratton Oakmont in the early 1990s, orchestrating pump-and-dump schemes that defrauded investors of hundreds of millions. Legal troubles ensued, and in 1999, he was indicted for securities fraud and money laundering. Belfort's cooperation with the FBI led to a reduced sentence of 22 months in prison. His firm was expelled from the National Association of Securities Dealers in 1996, marking its downfall.

Jordan Belfort's notorious journey towards financial crime started when he founded the firm Stratton Oakmont in 1989. This firm orchestrated elaborate pump-and-dump schemes, through which it defrauded unsuspecting victims of hundreds of millions of dollars. Belfort's primary source of income during this period were the ill-gotten gains from these schemes, which he used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

 Jordan Belfort is seen on June 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California/ GettyImages/ Photo by SMXRF/Star Max/GC Images
Jordan Belfort is seen on June 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California/ GettyImages/ Photo by SMXRF/Star Max/GC Images

Belfort's former residence in Long Island, New York, was seized by the federal government in 2001 and sold to compensate fraud victims. The property, initially listed for $3.4 million in 2017, faced price reductions, with the latest known price at $2.89 million in August 2018.

Jordan Belfort's financial journey involved early ventures, including door-to-door meat and seafood sales. Despite bankruptcy at 25, he became a stockbroker, eventually founding Stratton Oakmont. His success was marred by fraudulent practices, resulting in legal consequences and a negative net worth. Belfort has written about his experiences and developed a system of sales advice called the "Straight Line System."

Lessons from Jordan Belfort's journey and impact of his story

Jordan Belfort's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of financial fraud. Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from his mistakes, emphasizing the importance of ethical business practices. Belfort's transformation into a motivational speaker and author reflects the possibility of redemption and personal growth after facing legal and financial setbacks.


 
 
 
 
 
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Jordan Belfort, the former stockbroker, was involved in fraudulent activities related to penny stocks through his financial firm, Stratton Oakmont. The firm engaged in pump-and-dump schemes, defrauding investors of hundreds of millions of dollars. Belfort's involvement in such schemes led to his indictment for securities fraud and money laundering in 1999.

Stratton Oakmont, founded by Jordan Belfort, orchestrated pump-and-dump schemes as part of its fraudulent activities. The firm manipulated stock prices, leading to inflated values that benefited Belfort and his associates. This scheme defrauded investors, and Belfort eventually faced legal consequences, serving 22 months in prison and being ordered to pay $110 million in restitution.

Year Earnings
2021 $55 Million
2022 $70 Million
2023 -$100 Million
Social Media Following
Instagram 2.1 Million followers
Facebook 997,000 followers
Twitter 641,800 Followers

Jordan Belfort's personal life has been marked by turmoil. He married Denise Lombardo in 1985, but their marriage ended in 1991. His second marriage, to British-born model Nadine Caridi in 1991, produced two children but ended in divorce in 2005 after allegations of domestic violence. Belfort later married Anne Koppe in 2008, divorced her in 2020, and began dating Cristina Invernizzi in 2021.

Jordan Belfort graduated from American University with a degree in biology. Initially planning to attend dental school, he changed his path after a discouraging speech by the dental school dean. Belfort's career took a different turn when he became a door-to-door meat and seafood salesman before entering the world of finance.

Jordan Belfort is seen on September 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA/ GettyImages/ Photo by Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images
Jordan Belfort is seen on September 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA/ GettyImages/ Photo by Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images

Why is Jordan Belfort's net worth in minus?

Jordan Belfort's net worth is negative $100 million because of his involvement in fraudulent activities.

How accurate is Wolf Of Wall Street?

While "The Wolf of Wall Street" is based on Jordan Belfort's memoir, it takes creative liberties and exaggerates some events.

Did Jordan Belfort lose his money?

Yes, Jordan Belfort lost a significant amount of money due to legal consequences from his fraudulent activities. He was ordered to pay $110 million in restitution to his victims.

How did Jordan Belfort build his net worth?

Jordan Belfort initially built his net worth through fraudulent activities as the founder of Stratton Oakmont, a financial firm engaged in pump-and-dump scheme.

How has Jordan Belfort spent his money?

Jordan Belfort spent his money on a lavish lifestyle, including buying a white Ferrari with his first Wall Street bonus, sinking a 167-foot yacht in a Mediterranean storm, running up a $700,000 hotel bill, and engaging in extravagant activities.

How do people live with a negative net worth?

Individuals with a negative net worth, like Jordan Belfort, may face financial challenges, including difficulties in repaying debts and meeting financial obligations.

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