Robert Herjavec Biography explores the life of the Croatian-Canadian entrepreneur, investor and television personality, covering his age, wife, family, education, Croatian heritage, religion, early career, technology businesses, Shark Tank journey and net worth. Born in the former Yugoslavia, Herjavec moved to Canada with his family as a child and eventually built a successful career in technology and cybersecurity.
Herjavec first made his mark in business through BRAK Systems, a Canadian internet security company he founded and later sold to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million in 2000. He went on to establish the Herjavec Group, expanding his career in cybersecurity before becoming widely recognised as an investor on the television shows Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank.
Beyond technology and television, Herjavec has become known for his entrepreneurial advice, business investments and personal story as an immigrant who arrived in Canada with his family and built a multimillion-dollar career.
Robert Herjavec Biography Highlights
- Full Name: Robert Herjavec
- Date of Birth: September 14, 1962
- Age: 63 years old in 2026
- Place of Birth: Varaždin, Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia)
- Nationality: Canadian
- Heritage: Croatian
- Profession: Entrepreneur, Investor, Television Personality and Cybersecurity Executive
- Education: University of Toronto
- Degree: English Literature and Political Science
- Wife: Kym Johnson-Herjavec
- Children: Five (5)
- Known For: Shark Tank, Dragon’s Den, BRAK Systems and Herjavec Group
- First Major Company: BRAK Systems
- Major Business Exit: Sold BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million
- Current Business: Herjavec Group
- Estimated Net Worth: $300 million
Robert Herjavec Early Life
Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1962, in Varaždin, which was then part of Yugoslavia and is now located in Croatia. He spent part of his early childhood in the village of Zbjeg before his family left Yugoslavia and moved to Canada when he was eight years old.
His family’s move to Canada was driven by political circumstances surrounding his father’s opposition to the communist regime. The family arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with very little money and eventually settled in Toronto. Herjavec has spoken about the difficulties his family faced after immigrating, including the challenge of adjusting to a new country and his own struggle with speaking English when he first arrived.
The family’s early financial circumstances were modest. They spent about 18 months living in the basement of a family friend’s home in Toronto, while his father worked to support the household. Herjavec’s experience as a young immigrant later became an important part of his personal story and his views on hard work and entrepreneurship.
Robert Herjavec Age and Birth Details
Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1962, making him 63 years old in 2026.
He was born in Varaždin, a city in present-day Croatia that was part of Yugoslavia at the time of his birth. His Croatian background remains an important part of his identity as a Croatian-Canadian businessman and television personality.
Robert Herjavec Height
Robert Herjavec is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall.
Robert Herjavec Nationality, Croatian Heritage and Religion
Robert Herjavec is Canadian and has Croatian heritage. He was born in what was then Yugoslavia before immigrating to Canada with his parents as a child.
His religious background is commonly identified as Christian, although religion has not been a major focus of his public career. His public profile has instead centred largely on entrepreneurship, technology, family and television.
Robert Herjavec Education
Robert Herjavec studied at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1984 from New College with degrees in English Literature and Political Science.
His academic background was not directly focused on technology or cybersecurity, the industries that later became central to his business career. Instead, Herjavec entered the technology industry through professional experience and gradually developed the expertise that would eventually lead him to establish his own technology company.
Moving From Yugoslavia to Canada
Herjavec’s immigration story is one of the defining parts of his biography.
In 1970, when he was eight years old, his family left Yugoslavia and arrived in Canada. The family initially landed in Halifax before moving to Toronto, where they faced the financial and cultural challenges that came with starting a new life.
Herjavec has described arriving in Canada with his family and having to adapt to a completely different environment. He did not speak English when he arrived, and his family’s limited financial resources meant that his early years in Canada were far removed from the wealth he would eventually accumulate.
His family’s experience influenced his approach to work and business. The story of arriving in Canada with little money and eventually becoming a successful entrepreneur has become one of the most recognisable aspects of his public biography.
Robert Herjavec Early Jobs and Career Before Technology
Before becoming a technology entrepreneur, Robert Herjavec began his career in the film and television industry.
After graduating from the University of Toronto, he worked in film production and held several roles behind the camera. His early career included work connected to film production and television, including involvement with the production of The Return of Billy Jack and work as a field producer for Global TV during the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Herjavec later moved into the technology industry, where he found a career that would eventually lead to his first major business success.
How Robert Herjavec Entered the Technology Industry
Robert Herjavec entered the technology business after securing a position at LogiQuest, a company involved in selling IBM mainframe emulation boards.
He reportedly persuaded the company’s founder to give him an opportunity despite having limited direct experience in the technology industry. He worked his way through the business and eventually became its general manager.
The experience introduced him to the technology sector and provided the knowledge he needed to establish his own company. After leaving LogiQuest, Herjavec founded BRAK Systems, focusing on internet security at a time when the commercial internet was still developing.
Founding BRAK Systems
Robert Herjavec founded BRAK Systems, a Canadian company specialising in internet security software and services. He reportedly started the company from the basement of his home, building it into a successful technology business.
BRAK Systems became one of Canada’s notable internet security companies and eventually attracted the attention of AT&T Canada. In 2000, AT&T Canada acquired BRAK Systems for $30.2 million, providing Herjavec with his first major business exit.
The sale marked a major turning point in Herjavec’s career. It gave him the financial foundation and business experience to pursue larger opportunities in technology and cybersecurity, eventually leading to the creation of the Herjavec Group.
Selling BRAK Systems and His First Major Exit
The sale of BRAK Systems became the first major financial milestone in Robert Herjavec’s entrepreneurial career. In 2000, AT&T Canada acquired the company for $30.2 million, giving Herjavec a significant exit from the technology business he had built.
Following the acquisition, Herjavec remained involved with AT&T Canada for a period, serving as a Vice President of Sales. The experience gave him additional exposure to the corporate side of the technology industry before he eventually returned to entrepreneurship.
The BRAK Systems deal established Herjavec as a successful technology entrepreneur and gave him the financial resources to pursue another venture in the cybersecurity industry.
Founding the Herjavec Group
In 2003, Robert Herjavec founded the Herjavec Group, a cybersecurity company headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
The company grew into a major cybersecurity provider, offering services in areas including managed security, consulting, identity and access management, threat detection and incident response.
Herjavec’s second major technology venture built on the experience he gained from BRAK Systems. The Herjavec Group expanded its operations and became one of the most recognised cybersecurity companies associated with a Canadian entrepreneur.
In 2021, the company announced that BlackBerry had acquired a majority stake in its cybersecurity services business, while Herjavec continued to lead the organisation. The transaction further strengthened his position in the cybersecurity industry.
Robert Herjavec on Dragon’s Den
Robert Herjavec became a familiar face to Canadian television audiences through Dragon’s Den, the Canadian version of the entrepreneurial investment show.
He joined the programme as one of its investors, evaluating business ideas presented by entrepreneurs seeking funding. Contestants pitch their companies to the investors, who then decide whether to invest their own money in exchange for equity.
His experience as a technology entrepreneur and business owner made him one of the show’s prominent investors. His appearances also helped establish his reputation beyond the technology sector and introduced him to a wider audience interested in entrepreneurship and business.
Robert Herjavec on Shark Tank
Herjavec later expanded his television career by joining the American version of the investment show, Shark Tank.
As a Shark, he evaluates entrepreneurs pitching businesses and decides whether to invest in their companies. His investments have covered a broad range of industries, including consumer products, technology, food, fitness and lifestyle brands.
His role on Shark Tank has become one of the most recognisable aspects of his career. The programme has also allowed him to invest in emerging companies while sharing his experience with entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses.
Herjavec has completed numerous deals on the show, although the exact value of his total Shark Tank investments varies depending on whether deals that were agreed on television ultimately closed.
Robert Herjavec Business Investments and Entrepreneurship
Beyond his own companies, Robert Herjavec has invested in a variety of businesses through his role as a venture capitalist and television investor.
His investment interests have included technology companies, consumer brands and emerging businesses. He often evaluates companies based on the strength of their products, market opportunity, management teams and potential for growth.
His approach to investing has been shaped by his own experience of building and selling a technology company. As a result, he frequently focuses on entrepreneurs who demonstrate a strong understanding of their market and a clear strategy for expanding their businesses.
Herjavec has also written books about entrepreneurship and business, using his own experiences to provide advice on leadership, sales and building successful companies.
Robert Herjavec’s Wife: Kym Johnson
Robert Herjavec is married to Kym Johnson, an Australian professional dancer and television personality best known for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars.
The couple met while competing together on the American version of Dancing with the Stars in 2015. Their relationship developed during the programme, and they became engaged in 2016.
Herjavec and Johnson married in 2016 in Los Angeles. Their relationship has remained a prominent part of Herjavec’s personal life, with the couple regularly appearing together publicly.
In 2018, they welcomed twins, Hudson and Haven, adding two children to Herjavec’s family.
Robert Herjavec Previous Marriage and Children
Before marrying Kym Johnson, Robert Herjavec was married to Diane Plese. The couple had three children together: Caprice, Skye and Brendan.
Herjavec and Plese divorced after more than two decades of marriage. Following his marriage to Kym Johnson, Herjavec became a father of five.
His five children include his three older children from his previous marriage and twins Hudson and Haven, whom he shares with Johnson.
Herjavec has spoken about the importance of fatherhood and family, and his children have occasionally appeared in public discussions surrounding his personal life.
Robert Herjavec Net Worth 2026
Robert Herjavec’s net worth in 2026 is estimated to be around $300 million.
His wealth comes from several sources, including the sale of BRAK Systems, his ownership and leadership interests in the Herjavec Group, investments made through his business activities, Shark Tank earnings and real estate.
The sale of BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million was his first major business exit. He later built another substantial technology company through the Herjavec Group and expanded his income through television and investments.
However, his exact personal net worth is not publicly disclosed, and the $300 million figure should be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed valuation.
Robert Herjavec Books and Media Career
Robert Herjavec has also established himself as an author and public speaker.
His books include Driven: How to Succeed in Business and in Life, which discusses his approach to entrepreneurship, leadership and personal success. He also wrote The Will to Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding, which focuses on achieving goals and developing a competitive mindset.
Through his books, television appearances and public speaking engagements, Herjavec has shared lessons from his experiences as an immigrant, entrepreneur and technology executive.
His media career has also helped make him one of the more recognisable business personalities in North America.
Robert Herjavec Awards and Achievements
Robert Herjavec has received recognition for his contributions to entrepreneurship, technology and business.
Some of his notable achievements include:
- Building BRAK Systems and selling the company to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million.
- Founding and growing the Herjavec Group into a major cybersecurity company.
- Becoming an investor on both Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank.
- Receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
- Being recognised with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto.
- Becoming a prominent Canadian technology entrepreneur and investor with an international media profile.
Robert Herjavec Legacy and Influence
Robert Herjavec’s career combines technology entrepreneurship, investment and television. His first major success came from building BRAK Systems and selling it to AT&T Canada, while his second major business venture, the Herjavec Group, established him as a leading figure in cybersecurity.
His television career on Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank introduced his business expertise to millions of viewers and allowed him to become an investor in companies founded by other entrepreneurs.
His personal story has also contributed to his public image. As a child who immigrated to Canada with his family from Yugoslavia, Herjavec went from growing up in financially difficult circumstances to becoming a successful entrepreneur and investor.
His career has made him an influential figure for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those interested in technology, cybersecurity and business investment.
Conclusion
Robert Herjavec’s biography is a story of immigration, entrepreneurship and business success. After moving to Canada from Yugoslavia as a child, he built a career that eventually took him from film production into the technology industry.
His first major entrepreneurial success came with BRAK Systems, which he sold to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million in 2000. He later founded the Herjavec Group, building another successful career in cybersecurity.
His appearances on Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank further expanded his profile, turning him into a familiar face in business and entertainment. Alongside his technology businesses and investments, his marriage to Kym Johnson and his family life have also attracted public interest.
With an estimated net worth of around $300 million in 2026, Robert Herjavec remains one of Canada’s best-known entrepreneurs and television investors.
FAQs About Robert Herjavec
How old is Robert Herjavec?
Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1962, making him 63 years old in 2026.
Who is Robert Herjavec’s wife?
Robert Herjavec is married to Australian professional dancer and television personality Kym Johnson. They married in 2016 after meeting on Dancing with the Stars.
How many children does Robert Herjavec have?
Robert Herjavec has five children. He has three children from his previous marriage to Diane Plese and twins with his wife, Kym Johnson.
What is Robert Herjavec’s net worth?
Robert Herjavec’s net worth in 2026 is estimated to be around $300 million.
How did Robert Herjavec become rich?
Herjavec built his wealth through technology entrepreneurship, including the sale of BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million. He later founded the Herjavec Group and expanded his income through investments, television and real estate.
What company did Robert Herjavec sell?
He founded BRAK Systems, an internet security company that was acquired by AT&T Canada in 2000 for $30.2 million.
Is Robert Herjavec a Shark Tank investor?
Yes. Robert Herjavec is one of the investors on the American television show Shark Tank. He has also appeared as an investor on Canada’s Dragon’s Den.
Where was Robert Herjavec born?
Robert Herjavec was born in Varaždin, Croatia, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time of his birth.
What is Robert Herjavec known for?
He is known for his career as a technology entrepreneur, cybersecurity executive, investor and television personality. He is particularly recognised for founding the Herjavec Group and appearing on Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den.
