Jesse Itzler Biography Overview
| Full Name | Jesse Eric Itzler |
|---|---|
| Known As | Jesse Itzler |
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1968 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 57 years old |
| Place of Birth | Roslyn, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Author, Endurance Athlete, Motivational Speaker |
| Education | American University, Washington D.C. |
| Spouse | Sara Blakely (Founder of Spanx) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Daniel Itzler (father), unspecified mother |
| Siblings | Not publicly known |
| Net Worth | Estimated $250 million (2025) |
| Businesses | Marquis Jet, Zico Coconut Water, Build Your Life Resume, Atlanta Hawks (co-owner) |
| Books | Living with a SEAL, Living with the Monks |
| Recent News (2025) | Featured for sharing motivational advice about taking bold action in career and life decisions amid tough job markets. |
| Recent Controversies | None publicly reported as of 2025. Maintains a positive public image. |
Jesse Itzler is a renowned American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker who rose from cleaning meat trucks for $7 an hour to co-founding a private jet company worth billions. He sold Marquis Jet to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and became one of the most inspiring self-made multimillionaires in the U.S. His life story proves that one bold move can change everything.
Early Life and Background
Jesse Itzler was born on August 22, 1968, in Roslyn, New York, United States. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family. His father worked in the jewelry business, and his mother was the president of the Roslyn Board of Education. From a young age, Jesse showed creativity, persistence, and a love for music and sports.
Education
Jesse Itzler earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice, Law, and Society from American University in Washington, D.C. During college, he began his first entrepreneurial ventures while pursuing his passion for music.
Career and Rise to Success
Music and Early Hustles
Before becoming a business magnate, Jesse Itzler pursued a career as a rapper under the stage name Jesse Jaymes. He released the song “Shake It (Like a White Girl)” in 1991, which became a Billboard hit. Despite modest success, he later transitioned into advertising and entrepreneurship.
Marquis Jet and Business Breakthrough
In 2001, Jesse co-founded Marquis Jet, a private jet card company that allowed customers to buy flight hours instead of owning jets. The idea revolutionized private aviation, and by 2010, Marquis Jet had over $5 billion in annual sales. Itzler sold the company to Warren Buffett’s NetJets (a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway).
Jesse Itzler also co-founded Alphabet City Sports Records and later partnered with Zico Coconut Water, which he helped grow before it was acquired by The Coca-Cola Company.
Author and Motivational Speaker
Jesse Itzler is the author of two best-selling books, “Living with a SEAL” and “Living with the Monks”, where he shares lessons about discipline, resilience, and mindset. He’s known for his energetic talks about entrepreneurship, motivation, and taking bold action.
Personal Life
Jesse Itzler is married to Sara Blakely, the billionaire founder of Spanx. The couple married in 2008 and have four children together. They live in Atlanta, Georgia, and are among America’s most admired entrepreneurial couples.
Religion and Beliefs
Jesse Itzler is Jewish and often incorporates mindfulness, gratitude, and purpose-driven living into his public talks. His philosophy emphasizes courage, creativity, and relentless pursuit of growth.
Recent News and Career Insights (2025)
In October 2025, Jesse Itzler shared a viral story about how buying muffins outside a TED conference changed his life - demonstrating how one bold action can lead to massive success. His motivational philosophy, “The world doesn’t reward perfect plans, it rewards action,” continues to inspire entrepreneurs and young professionals globally.
Advice for Gen Z and Young Entrepreneurs
Jesse Itzler encourages young people to embrace risk, explore different paths, and invest in experience rather than just “safe” careers. He warns that chasing stability too early can lead to burnout and missed opportunities.
Jesse Itzler Biography Table
| Full Name | Jesse Eric Itzler |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1968 |
| Age (2025) | 57 years old |
| Place of Birth | Roslyn, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Jewish-American |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker |
| Known For | Co-founding Marquis Jet and selling it to Berkshire Hathaway |
| Spouse | Sara Blakely (Founder of Spanx) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Father – Jewelry businessman; Mother – Educator |
| Education | B.A. in Justice, Law, and Society, American University |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $200 million |
| Residence | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Recent News | Viral story on how a “muffin move” changed his life and advice to Gen Z on risk-taking |
| Controversy | None publicly known |
| Social Media | Instagram / LinkedIn |
Summary
Jesse Itzler represents the power of persistence and creative thinking. From washing trucks to selling a multi-billion-dollar company, his story reminds the world that taking one bold move can change your entire destiny. Alongside his wife Sara Blakely, he continues to inspire a generation of dreamers, entrepreneurs, and risk-takers worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jesse Itzler
Who is Jesse Itzler?
- Jesse Eric Itzler is an American entrepreneur, author, endurance athlete, and co-founder of Marquis Jet. He is also a partner in Zico Coconut Water and co-owner of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
When was Jesse Itzler born?
- Jesse Itzler was born on August 22, 1968, in Roslyn, New York, United States.
What is Jesse Itzler known for?
- Jesse Itzler is widely known for co-founding Marquis Jet, authoring motivational books like Living with a SEAL, and his inspiring approach to entrepreneurship, fitness, and life balance.
Who is Jesse Itzler’s wife?
- Jesse Itzler is married to Sara Blakely, the billionaire founder of Spanx. Together, they are considered one of America’s most influential entrepreneurial couples.
Does Jesse Itzler have children?
- Yes, Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely have four children together. They live in Atlanta, Georgia.
What companies has Jesse Itzler founded?
- Jesse Itzler co-founded Marquis Jet (later sold to NetJets), was a partner in Zico Coconut Water (sold to Coca-Cola), and co-owns the Atlanta Hawks.
What books has Jesse Itzler written?
- Jesse Itzler has authored Living with a SEAL and Living with the Monks, both of which detail his extreme lifestyle experiments and lessons on discipline, focus, and mindset.
What is Jesse Itzler’s net worth?
- As of 2025, Jesse Itzler’s estimated net worth is around $250 million, accumulated through business ventures, book sales, and investments.
Where does Jesse Itzler live?
- Jesse Itzler lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Sara Blakely and their children.
What is Jesse Itzler doing now?
- Jesse Itzler continues to inspire through his company Build Your Life Resume, public speaking, and endurance challenges that promote mental toughness and self-growth.
How did Jesse Itzler start his career?
- Jesse Itzler began as a rapper under the name “Jesse Jaymes” in the early 1990s, before transitioning into business and marketing, where he co-founded Marquis Jet in 2001.
What is Jesse Itzler’s educational background?
- Jesse Itzler earned a bachelor’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C.
About the Author
Praise Graciebby is a content creator on The StarProfile, where she writes celebrity biographies, sports updates, gossip, and trending news. With a passion for entertainment and lifestyle journalism, Praise provides readers with simple, accurate, and up-to-date profiles of public figures worldwide.
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