At one point, Chris Gardner was sleeping on the floor of a public restroom with his son because he had no money. He never imagined that his life would become the inspiration for a popular Hollywood movie.
This is how amazing things can happen after facing many struggles and working hard.
Are you wondering what his net worth is? And curious about how a homeless man became a millionaire? This is what makes his story interesting. In the 1980s, Chris Gardner and his young son were homeless in San Francisco for about a year.
He was earning so little that he couldn’t afford to pay the deposit for an apartment.
Also, he and his son relied on soup kitchens to eat because he had almost no money, and he spent whatever he had left to put his son in daycare so he could go to work.
After dealing with these tough times, he finally started doing well in his job and became an employee at Dean Witter Reynolds. Since then, he was able to find a home for himself and his son. In 1987, he also started his own investment company, Gardner Rich.
Chris Gardner’s Early Life
Chris Gardner’s life was not always filled with wealth and success. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1954, and grew up in a home where poverty and domestic violence were common. Despite these challenges, Gardner was determined to change his life. In his early adult years, he struggled to make ends meet and even became homeless while raising his young son.
Gardner’s story of persistence gained global attention when it was made into a 2006 movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith. The film is based on Gardner’s autobiography of the same name, which describes his tough journey from being homeless to becoming a successful stockbroker.
Chris Gardner’s Career and Rise to Wealth
Gardner’s path to building his wealth started when he got an unpaid internship at Dean Witter Reynolds, a well-known stock brokerage firm, in the early 1980s. Even though he faced huge challenges like being homeless and struggling financially, Gardner worked extremely hard to prove his value in the competitive world of finance.
His hard work paid off when he was offered a full-time position at the firm, where he quickly advanced. Eventually, Gardner started his own brokerage company, Gardner Rich & Co., in 1987. Located in Chicago, his firm specialized in institutional brokerage services, which helped him grow his wealth even more.
Today, Chris Gardner is estimated to be worth $70 million (around ₹580 crores). His financial success is the result of years of dedication, smart investments, and an unbreakable determination.
Chris Gardner: A Motivational Speaker and Author
In addition to his financial achievements, Gardner has become a popular motivational speaker who inspires millions around the world. He often shares his story of overcoming obstacles and achieving financial independence, teaching valuable lessons on resilience, determination, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset.
Gardner is also the author of several books, including The Pursuit of Happyness and Start Where You Are, which offer deeper insights into his personal beliefs and path to success. His books have been widely praised for their practical advice and motivational messages, making them bestsellers around the globe.
Chris Gardner’s Philanthropic Efforts
Thanks to his success, Gardner has been able to give back to society in many ways. He is actively involved in several charitable organizations and has made significant contributions to causes such as preventing homelessness, supporting education, and improving healthcare.
Gardner’s charitable work is closely tied to his own experiences, and he is committed to helping others who face challenges like the ones he faced in his early life. His focus on giving back shows his belief in the power of community and the importance of helping others as you grow.
How Much is Chris Gardner’s Net Worth?
Chris Gardner is worth $70 million in 2025, which is an incredible achievement considering his tough background and challenges. He earned his wealth in several ways. Here’s a breakdown of his main sources of income and how they have helped him reach his current net worth of $70 million.
Wall Street Career and His Brokerage Firm Set Him on the Path to Financial Freedom
Chris Gardner began his professional training on Wall Street with Dean Witter Reynolds’ stock brokerage program. His career in the financial services industry started after he met a stockbroker named Bob Bridges, who was driving a red Ferrari.
Bob introduced Chris, who was then working as a medical equipment salesman, to the world of finance. Chris decided to quit his job and pursue a career on Wall Street, which turned out to be one of the best choices he ever made.
With Bob’s help, Chris reached out to several stock brokerage firms that offered training programs. After facing several rejections, he was finally accepted into Dean Witter Reynolds’ stock brokerage training program, which marked the start of his journey toward financial independence.
As a dedicated intern at Dean Witter Reynolds, Chris passed the test to become a stockbroker in 1982, and his hard work finally paid off.
After gaining experience and becoming an expert in the business, Chris later started his own stock brokerage firm called Gardner Rich & Co, with a starting capital of $10,000.
In 2006, he sold his share in the brokerage firm in a multimillion-dollar deal. He used this money to create a new company, Christopher Gardner International Holdings, which has offices across the United States and internationally.
Chris Gardner Has Made Millions from His Books
Chris Gardner has shared his life story in several books, which have become a major source of income for him. Reflecting on his journey, Chris says that deciding to be the best version of himself played a key role in his success.
He became widely known after his book about his struggles was turned into a movie, Pursuit of Happyness, where Will Smith played Chris.
The movie became a global hit, and Chris became famous. His first book, The Pursuit of Happyness, became a #1 bestseller on the New York Times and Washington Post lists. It has been translated into more than 40 languages, with more translations being made in Chinese and Arabic.
The movie version was a big hit at the box office, earning $162,586,036 in the US and Canada. During its opening weekend, it made $27 million.
In addition to Pursuit of Happyness, Chris has written other books like Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (2009) and Permission to Dream (2021). These books have played a significant role in increasing his net worth.
Struggle in Life
Gardner’s relationship with his girlfriend, Jackie, ended when she took their son, Chris Jr., to live with her on the East Coast. During this time, the police arrested him for not paying parking fines. He was jailed for ten days as punishment for not paying $1,200 in parking tickets.
Chris’s journey was filled with difficulties. He quit his sales job to focus on becoming a stockbroker, only to discover on his first day that the manager who had hired him had been fired the week before.
Even though he had no experience, no college degree, and no connections in the financial world, Gardner was able to get a spot in Dean Witter Reynolds’ stock brokerage training program. With no salary from his internship and only a small income from selling medical equipment, he struggled to make ends meet.
Marriage and Troubles
Chris Gardner married Sherry Dyson in 1977, but after three years of marriage, he left her to live with his pregnant girlfriend, Jackie, and get ready for fatherhood. However, he was far from reaching his dream of making a lot of money when his son, Christopher Gardner Jr., was born on January 28, 1981.
Gardner’s job as a research lab assistant only paid about $8,000 a year, which wasn’t enough to support his family. After four years, he decided to quit his job and take a new job as a medical equipment salesman with double the salary.
Chris Gardner’s House
Chris Gardner’s house is a remarkable property located in Chicago. He also owns other homes in cities like New York. A 2006 report mentions that he owned three homes, including a condo in Trump Tower in New York. It is possible that he has sold some of these properties or purchased new ones, adding to his collection.
One thing that is certain is that Chris Gardner has come a long way from his early days of being homeless and struggling to find a place to live with his young son in the 1980s. Now, he lives in a beautiful and well-designed home. However, he is not flashy or extravagant.
He remains mindful of his humble beginnings and, instead of spending money carelessly, he puts it towards programs that help provide shelter and affordable housing for people who are going through tough times.
[Updated: 04/04/2025]
