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Russell Weiner

Russell Weiner
Born (1970-02-15) February 15, 1970 (age 55)
United States
EducationRedwood High School
Alma materSan Diego State University
Occupation(s)Founder, Rockstar energy drink
FatherMichael Savage

Russell Goldencloud Weiner (born February 15, 1970)[1][2] is an American businessman and works in political fundraising.

Early life and education

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Weiner is the son of Michael Weiner, better known as conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage, and Janet Weiner. He is Jewish.[3][4]

Weiner graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur, California and graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in political science.[5] He organized events for the Paul Revere Society and worked as a travel consultant.[6]

Career

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Weiner founded Rockstar energy drink in 2001.[7] 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.[7]

Politics

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He 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.[5] 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 anti-Semitic manner.[3]

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

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Weiner has been in the real estate industry; he buys and sells houses. In 2006, he 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.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Burros, Marian (January 4, 2006). "In Oregon, Thinking Local". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Faingold, Noma (November 13, 1998). "Flurry of North Bay anti-Semitic graffiti concerns ADL". JWeekly.com. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  4. ^ Jewish Telegraph Agency: "Forbes’ billionaires list features new and old Jewish faces" By Gabe Friedman March 2, 2015
  5. ^ a b "Russ Weiner". SmartVoter.org. League of Women Voters. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  6. ^ "Other North Bay races". San Francisco Chronicle. May 24, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c "Russ Weiner". Forbes. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  8. ^ "GOP Assembly Nomination Won by 5 Votes". San Francisco Chronicle. June 19, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  9. ^ "Member of the State Assembly; District 6". League of Women Voters. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  10. ^ West, Jackson (May 21, 2009). "Michael Savage's Son Donates to Newsom". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  11. ^ Marinucci, Carla (May 22, 2009). "Newsom to return $25,000 contribution from Savage's son". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  12. ^ Ryon, Ruth (November 26, 2006). "She's not wedded to the beach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  13. ^ Brenoff, Ann (January 24, 2009). "For Beck, Malibu's no longer where it's at". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.