Nicholas Irving Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Height, The Reaper, Books, Military Service

Nicholas Irving, known as “The Reaper,” is an American author, former U.S. Army Ranger, and special operations sniper, celebrated for his memoir The Reaper: Autobiography of One of the Deadliest Special Ops Snipers, a New York Times bestseller.

As the first African-American sniper in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, he gained recognition for his reported 33 confirmed kills in approximately 100 days during the War on Terror.

Profile

• Full Name: Nicholas Irving
• Stage Name: The Reaper
• Born: November 2, 1986
• Age: 38 years old
• Birthplace: Augsburg, West Germany
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Former U.S. Army Ranger/Sniper, Author, Reality TV Personality, Firing Range Owner
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Two
• Spouse: Jessica Irving (m. 2007)
• Children: One son
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $4 million USD

Early Life and Education

Nicholas Irving was born on November 2, 1986, in Augsburg, West Germany, to two enlisted U.S. Army soldiers who served in counterintelligence.

At age three, he moved with his parents and two sisters to Fort Meade, Maryland, where they lived in government housing built on a cemetery, which Irving claims led to paranormal experiences.

Irving attended a private school in Fort Meade for primary and high school education, though specific institutions are not documented.

His ethnicity is multiracial, reflecting his African-American heritage, and his zodiac sign is Sagittarius.

He identifies as Christian, as noted in sources citing his pride in his faith.

Career

Irving enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 at age 18, initially aiming to become a Navy SEAL but failing a colorblindness test.

A nurse’s intervention (falsifying his test results) allowed him to join the Army Rangers.

After basic training and airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

He deployed three times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, initially as a machine gunner before attending sniper school in 2008, where he excelled.

As a sniper, he used an SR-25 rifle nicknamed “Dirty Diana” (after Michael Jackson’s song), which he meticulously maintained.

Irving claims 33 confirmed kills over 100 days in Afghanistan (2008–2009), though the U.S. Special Operations Command does not verify kill counts.

He is credited with over 100 unconfirmed kills, earning the nickname “The Reaper.”

His final deployment nearly cost his life, leading to his departure from the Army in March 2010 to work as a military contractor.

Post-military, Irving transitioned to writing and entertainment.

His 2012 book Team Reaper: 3rd Ranger Battalion’s Deadliest Sniper Team detailed his early career, followed by The Reaper (2015, with Gary Brozek), a New York Times bestseller.

Other non-fiction works include Way of the Reaper (2016), Never Fear Anything (2018, with Robert Terkla), and technical manuals like Precision Rifle B.I.B.L.E (2012).

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @officialreaper33
• Facebook Handle: Nicholas Irving
• Twitter Handle: @irv_reaper33
• YouTube Channel: Nicholas Irving
• TikTok Handle: @officialreaper33

Personal Life

Nicholas Irving, 38, is married to Jessica Irving, whom he met in first grade and reconnected with online in 2005.

They married in 2007, and she provided emotional support during his deployments and struggles with PTSD, alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts post-service (2010–2012).

The birth of their son in 2016 helped Irving overcome alcohol abuse, which he reduced significantly by 2014.

They live in San Antonio, Texas, citing its permissive gun laws.

Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing approximately 62 kg (136 lbs), Irving has black hair and eyes and maintains a fit physique through regular exercise.

Net Worth

Nicholas Irving’s estimated net worth is $1 million to $4 million USD.

His income derives from book royalties (The Reaper sold over 500,000 copies), speaking engagements, his San Antonio firing range, and media appearances (American Grit, The Wall).