Net Worth Ranker
What Is Richard Rawlings’ Net Worth?
Richard Rawlings, a prominent figure in the automotive world and reality television, boasts a net worth of $18 million. This substantial wealth is a result of his diverse ventures as a car builder, cross-country racer, entrepreneur, and television personality. His primary sources of income stem from Gas Monkey Garage, Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, Gas Monkey Live, and his role as the star of Discovery Channel’s “Fast N’ Loud.” While detailed breakdowns of specific revenue streams, such as annual income from each Gas Monkey establishment or per-episode earnings from “Fast N’ Loud,” are not publicly available, it is clear that each contributes significantly to his overall net worth. Rawlings has not released specific investment portfolio details or the precise financial performance of his energy drink licensing deal.
Early Life and Career Foundations
Richard Rawlings was born on March 30, 1969, in Fort Worth, Texas. While specific addresses and detailed accounts of his early childhood are not publicly available, his passion for cars developed early. Rawlings’ formative years included attending auto shows with his father and assisting in car builds, igniting a lifelong enthusiasm for automobiles. He purchased his first car, a green 1974 Mercury Comet, at the age of 14. Before he could legally drive, he engaged in buying and selling multiple vehicles, showcasing an early entrepreneurial spirit. By high school, he drove a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1987. After graduating, before founding Gas Monkey Garage, Rawlings gained diverse professional experience. He worked in law enforcement, served as a firefighter and paramedic, and owned Lincoln Press, a printing and advertising company. In 2002, Rawlings made a pivotal decision, selling Lincoln Press to fully invest in his automotive passion, leading to the establishment of Gas Monkey Garage. The exact sale price of Lincoln Press is not publicly disclosed, but the sale provided the initial capital for his venture into the automotive industry.
Gas Monkey Garage and “Fast N’ Loud”
Founded in 2002, Gas Monkey Garage has become a world-renowned hot rod shop, attracting customers globally. While the precise number of cars built annually and their individual sale prices remain confidential, the garage’s reputation and customer base attest to its success. The breakthrough for Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage came in 2012 with the premiere of “Fast N’ Loud” on the Discovery Channel. The show’s premise involves Rawlings and his team, including Aaron Kaufman, KC Mathieu, and Scot McMillan, seeking out and restoring rare cars. Though specific per-episode salaries and detailed contract terms are not public, the show’s consistent popularity and long run significantly boosted Rawlings’ income and visibility. Frequent buyers on the show include Dennis Collins and Jay Riecke, although the specifics of their transactions are not detailed. In addition to “Fast N’ Loud,” Richard Rawlings co-hosted “Garage Rehab” on the Discovery Channel starting in 2017. This show focuses on assisting struggling auto shops, with Rawlings leveraging his expertise. Again, the exact financial terms of this venture are not publicly available.
Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, Live, and Brand Expansion
Richard Rawlings extended his brand beyond automotive restoration by opening the Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill in Northwest Dallas in September 2013. Specific details of the initial investment and annual revenue for the bar and grill are not publicly released. A second location was established at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in March 2014, further expanding the brand’s reach. The precise financial performance of this airport location is not publicly disclosed. In October 2014, Rawlings launched Gas Monkey Live, a live music venue. The capacity of Gas Monkey Live and details regarding its revenue from concerts and events are not publicly available. In May 2015, Rawlings released his autobiography, “Fast N’ Loud: Blood, Sweat, and Beers.” The exact sales figures and royalties earned from the book are not publicly disclosed but represent another income stream. In 2019, Rawlings licensed the Gas Monkey brand to an energy drink line. Details regarding the specific terms of the licensing agreement, including royalties and sales figures, are not publicly available.
Personal Life and Cannonball Run Record
Richard Rawlings’ personal life has seen multiple marriages. He first married Karen Grames in 1990, but they divorced the following year. He then married Suzanne Marie Mergele in 1999, divorced in 2009, and remarried in 2015. The couple separated and filed for divorce in March 2019. In August 2019, Rawlings proposed to Katerina Deason. The specifics of any prenuptial agreements or divorce settlements are not publicly available. A notable personal anecdote includes an incident in the 1990s where Rawlings allegedly took a bullet during an attempted carjacking of his 1965 Mustang 2+2. Specific details and official records of this event are not publicly available. Richard Rawlings is a passionate transcontinental racer, participating in several rallies. He once held the world record for the fastest time in the Cannonball Run, completing the 2811-mile journey from New York to Los Angeles in 31 hours and 59 minutes. This equates to an average driving speed of 87.6 MPH. His record, set prior to 2013, has since been broken. The exact year he set the record is not mentioned in the source. He has also won both the Gumball 3000 and The Bullrun twice each. Specific years of these wins are not provided.
Real Estate and Assets
Richard Rawlings owns a home in Dallas, Texas, built in 1960 on 1.46 acres. While the exact address is not publicly available, the home features three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms. It includes a mid-century modern style bar with a retractable door, multiple decks, a sunken bathtub, a zen garden, an outside master bath, and a private lake. The estimated market value of the property is not detailed in the provided information. The home is located approximately four miles from Gas Monkey Garage. Details regarding specific luxury cars owned by Richard Rawlings, beyond the mention of his 1965 Mustang 2+2, are not provided. Specifics of the make and model of private planes are not detailed in the provided information.
