Celebrity chef Guy Fieri revealed that his children won’t inherit any of his fortune unless they meet some educational requirements.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Fieri said his two sons will need to obtain two advanced degrees each to have a piece of his wealth.
The 55-year-old chef, renowned for his recent three-year, $100 million deal with Food Network in 2023, explained his stance, stating, “I told my boys none of this that I’ve been building are you going to get unless you come and take it from me.”
Fieri’s decision to place educational achievements as a prerequisite for inheriting wealth aligns with a broader trend among celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Gates, Ashton Kutcher, and Jackie Chan, who have expressed similar sentiments.
Do Like Shaq
Fieri, drawing inspiration from his father’s similar philosophy and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, shared O’Neal’s perspective, quoting the former NBA star “If you want this cheese, you got to get to two degrees.'”
The Los Angeles Lakers legend has imparted words of wisdom and strict rules on his children by making it clear that he prefers for them to not depend on him financially. In an appearance on the business podcast “Earn Your Leisure,” O’Neal outlined his conditions for providing financial support to his children, saying that they attain either bachelor’s or master’s degrees. He took it a step further and said that he would consider supporting their entrepreneurial ventures only if they presented a compelling business proposal for him to invest in.
“You’re going to have to present it, boom, boom, boom, bring it to me. I’ll let you know, I’m not giving you anything,” O’Neal explained.
As of now Fieri’s sons are on the right track to achieving his educational standard. Hunter, 27, has already graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is currently pursuing an MBA in business at the University of Miami, according to People. Meanwhile, Ryder, 17, is still in high school.
Despite the ambitious educational requirements, Fieri acknowledged that Ryder in particular finds the rule challenging. He recounted Ryder’s sentiments, stating, “He’s like, ‘Dad, this is so unfair, I haven’t even gone to college yet and you’re already pushing that I’ve got to get an MBA.'” Fieri conveyed this during his interview with Fox News.
Fieri, a family-oriented individual, also discussed his close relationship with his nephew Jules, 22, who is currently involved in the music industry in Los Angeles and pursuing a law program at Loyola Marymount. Fieri highlighted the importance of a legal background for success in the entertainment industry.
Despite multiple requests for comments on Fieri’s stringent rule and the public reaction to it, representatives for the celebrity chef have not responded.
