Richard Rawlings, an American entrepreneur, car builder, cross-country racer, and reality TV star, boasts an impressive net worth of $18 million. He is best known for his appearances on the reality television show “Fast N’ Loud” and for owning the Gas Monkey Garage. Additionally, Rawlings owns the Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live music venues in Dallas, Texas.

Quick Facts

• Category: Richest Business › Executives
• Net Worth: $18 Million
• Date of Birth: Mar 30, 1969 (54 years old)
• Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
• Profession: Businessman
• Nationality: North American

Early Life

Born on March 30, 1969, in Fort Worth, Texas, Richard Rawlings grew up attending auto shows with his father, who also taught him how to build cars. Rawlings purchased his first car, a green 1974 Mercury Comet, at just 14 years old. By the time he was legally allowed to drive, he had already bought and sold multiple cars. After graduating from Eastern Hills High School in 1987, Rawlings continued to pursue his passion for cars.

Fast N’ Loud

Prior to founding his garage, Richard Rawlings worked as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, and owner-operator of his own printing and advertising company, Lincoln Press. In 2002, he sold Lincoln Press to open Gas Monkey Garage, an auto shop that creates custom automobiles for clients worldwide. Since 2012, Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage have starred in the Discovery Channel reality show “Fast N’ Loud,” where Rawlings and his team—Aaron Kaufman, KC Mathieu, and Scot McMillan—seek out rare cars to restore and sell.

Garage Rehab

In addition to “Fast N’ Loud,” Richard Rawlings has co-hosted the Discovery Channel show “Garage Rehab” since 2017. On this show, he assists struggling auto shops in turning their businesses around and achieving success.

Gas Monkey Empire

In September 2013, Rawlings expanded his business ventures by opening the Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill in Northwest Dallas. He later opened a second location at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in March 2014, followed by the live music venue Gas Monkey Live in October 2014. In 2015, Rawlings published his first autobiography, “Fast N’ Loud: Blood, Sweat, and Beers.” In 2019, he licensed the Gas Monkey brand to a line of energy drinks.

Personal Life

Richard Rawlings’ personal life has been characterized by several relationships. He first married Karen Grames in 1990, but they divorced the following year. In 1999, he married Suzanne Marie Mergele, but they divorced in 2009. The couple remarried in 2015, only to separate and file for divorce again in 2019. In August 2019, Rawlings proposed to his girlfriend, Katerina Deason.

In the 1990s, Rawlings reportedly took a bullet when confronting a carjacker trying to steal his 1965 Mustang 2+2.

Racing Achievements

A passionate cross-country racer, Richard Rawlings has participated in numerous rallies. He once held the world record for the fastest time in the Cannonball Run until it was broken in 2013. Rawlings completed the 2,811-mile journey from New York to Los Angeles in 31 hours and 59 minutes, with an average driving speed of 87.6 MPH. He has also won both the Gumball 3000 and The Bullrun an unprecedented two times each.

Real Estate

Richard Rawlings owns a house in Dallas, Texas. Constructed in 1960 on a 1.46-acre plot, the home features three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, and offers a mid-century modern style bar with a retractable door. Additional amenities include multiple decks, a sunken bathtub, zen garden, outdoor master bath, and a private lake. Conveniently, his home is only four miles away from the Gas Monkey Garage.

In conclusion, Richard Rawlings’ net worth of $18 million is a testament to his talent, hard work, and passion for cars. With his successful businesses, reality television shows, and racing achievements, Rawlings has become a prominent figure in the automotive industry.