Russell Goldencloud Weiner (born February 15, 1970)[1][2] is an American billionaire businessman, and works in political fundraising. As of January 2025, his net worth is estimated at US$5.4 billion.[3]
Russell Weiner | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | February 15, 1970 United States |
| Education | Redwood High School |
| Alma mater | San Diego State University |
| Occupations | Founder, Rockstar energy drink |
| Father | Michael Savage |
Early life and education
editWeiner is the son of Michael Weiner, better known as conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage, and Janet Weiner. He is Jewish.[4][5]
Weiner graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur, California and graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in political science.[6] He organized events for the Paul Revere Society and worked as a travel consultant.[7]
Career
editWeiner founded Rockstar energy drink in 2001, and sold it to PepsiCo in 2020 for more than $4 billion.[3] Weiner is also the founder and CEO of his own company, which is now based in Purchase, New York.[citation needed]
In 2016, he was 494th on the Forbes list of the 500 richest Americans with an estimated worth of $3.4 billion dollars.[citation needed] In 2025 Forbes estimated his wealth at $5.2 billion.[3]
Politics
editHe co-founded the Paul Revere Society with his father. In 1998, he ran as a Republican for the 6th district seat in the California State Assembly, receiving an endorsement from the president of the NAACP branch in Oakland, California.[6] In June 1998, Weiner won the Republican primary election by five votes.[8] His campaign positions included advocacy for Proposition 227, the ballot initiative eliminating bilingual education in public schools, and protection of old-growth forests. He lost to incumbent Democrat Kerry Mazzoni receiving 13.3% of the vote.[9] After the election, some election posters depicting him were vandalized in an antisemitic manner.[4]
In 2009, Weiner donated $25,000 to the California gubernatorial campaign of Gavin Newsom, who was the Democratic mayor of San Francisco.[10] Newsom returned the donation and Weiner gave it to charity.[11]
Personal life
editIn 2006, Weiner bought the West Hollywood home of basketball player Carlos Boozer for $10 million.[12] In 2008, he listed another home there for about $3 million (originally it was nearly $15 million based on replacement costs) and sold it for $8 million in 2009.[13]
Weiner lives in Delray Beach, Florida.[3]
References
edit- ↑ Burros, Marian (January 4, 2006). "In Oregon, Thinking Local". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ de la Viña, Mark (July 20, 2003). "The man behind the 'Savage Nation'". San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2003.
- 1 2 3 4 "Russ Weiner". Forbes. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- 1 2 Faingold, Noma (November 13, 1998). "Flurry of North Bay anti-Semitic graffiti concerns ADL". JWeekly.com. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ Jewish Telegraph Agency: "Forbes’ billionaires list features new and old Jewish faces" By Gabe Friedman March 2, 2015
- 1 2 "Russ Weiner". SmartVoter.org. League of Women Voters. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Other North Bay races". San Francisco Chronicle. May 24, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ "GOP Assembly Nomination Won by 5 Votes". San Francisco Chronicle. June 19, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Member of the State Assembly; District 6". League of Women Voters. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ West, Jackson (May 21, 2009). "Michael Savage's Son Donates to Newsom". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ Marinucci, Carla (May 22, 2009). "Newsom to return $25,000 contribution from Savage's son". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
- ↑ Ryon, Ruth (November 26, 2006). "She's not wedded to the beach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ↑ Brenoff, Ann (January 24, 2009). "For Beck, Malibu's no longer where it's at". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.