Dave Ramsey Bio: Net Worth, Kids, Age, Height, Wife, Books, Show, Career

David Lawrence Ramsey III, known professionally as Dave Ramsey is an American personal finance expert and radio personality, who has spent more than three decades teaching millions how to get out of debt, build wealth, and live like no one else.

Famous for his tough-love approach, the “7 Baby Steps,” and the catchphrase “Better than I deserve,” he hosts the nationally syndicated The Ramsey Show, authored multiple New York Times bestsellers including The Total Money Makeover, and built Ramsey Solutions into a multimedia empire that reaches over 20 million people weekly through radio, podcasts, books, and live events.

Profile

• Full Name: David Lawrence Ramsey III
• Stage Name: Dave Ramsey
• Born: September 3, 1960
• Age: 65 years old
• Birthplace: Antioch, Tennessee, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Radio Host, Author, Entrepreneur, Speaker
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey
• Siblings: 1
• Spouse: Sharon Ramsey (m. 1982)
• Children: Denise Ramsey, Rachel Cruze, Daniel Ramsey
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $200 million

Early Life and Education

David Lawrence Ramsey III was born on September 3, 1960, in Antioch, Tennessee, to a Mr. Ramsey who worked as a real-estate developer Mrs. Ramsey.

He grew up in a middle-class Christian household with a sister though her name is unknown.

Ramsey flipped real estate as a teenager, made his first million by age 26, and graduated with a degree in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1982.

He is of white ethnicity.

Career

Dave Ramsey first tasted success—and spectacular failure—in real estate during the 1980s.

Leveraging bank loans heavily, he built a $4 million portfolio by age 26, only to lose everything when banks called in the notes during a market shift.

The bankruptcy forced him to rebuild from zero, and while counseling others at his church about money, he discovered his gift for teaching.

In 1992 he started a local radio show in Nashville called The Money Game, later renamed The Ramsey Show, offering straightforward, debt-free financial advice rooted in his “7 Baby Steps.”

The show went national in the late 1990s and exploded in popularity during the 2008 financial crisis when millions sought his no-nonsense guidance.

Ramsey wrote The Total Money Makeover (2003), which has sold over 10 million copies and remains the cornerstone of his brand.

He launched Financial Peace University the same year, a nine-week course that has now been taken by more than 10 million people.

Over the next two decades he added bestselling books such as EntreLeadership and Baby Steps Millionaires, turned Ramsey Solutions into a 1,000+ employee company, and built one of the largest independently owned studios in America.

Ramsey continues to broadcast The Ramsey Show live five days a week, reaching 20+ million listeners across 600+ radio stations and YouTube.

He tours arenas with sold-out “LIVE Like No One Else” events, mentors entrepreneurs through Ramsey Trusted, and has created a movement that proudly calls itself the “debt-free community.”

His blunt style—calling debt “stupid,” urging people to “live like no one else so later you can live and give like no one else”—has made him both beloved and polarizing, yet undeniably one of the most influential voices in personal finance history.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @daveramsey
• Facebook Handle: Dave Ramsey
• Twitter Handle: @DaveRamsey
• YouTube: The Ramsey Show

Personal Life

Dave Ramsey married Sharon Ramsey in 1982 while still in college; the couple has remained together for over 43 years and often speaks about intentionally building their marriage.

They have three children—Denise, Rachel (who co-hosts The Ramsey Show with him), and Daniel—all of whom work inside Ramsey Solutions.

Net Worth

Dave Ramsey has an estimated net worth of $200 million.

His wealth flows primarily from Ramsey Solutions’ diverse revenue streams: book royalties, Financial Peace University and SmartVestor fees, live-event ticket sales, podcast and YouTube advertising, the Ramsey Trusted referral network, and real-estate holdings—all built and operated 100% debt-free according to his own principles.