Mike Lindell, also known as the My Pillow Guy, is an American businessman, political activist and conspiracy theorist.
He is the founder and CEO of My Pillow, a pillow, bedding and slipper manufacturing company.
Lindell is known for his support of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his claims relating to the 2020 United States presidential election results, which have been widely discredited.
In recent years, he has faced legal challenges, including defamation lawsuits from two voting machine companies and the revocation of accreditation for My Pillow by the Better Business Bureau.
Additionally, Lindell has faced financial setbacks, with some major retailers stopping carrying My Pillow products and his former legal team abandoning him due to unpaid bills.
| Net worth | $0 |
| Profession | Businessman, political activist, conspiracy theorist |
| Date of birth | June 28, 1961 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Lindell was born in Mankato, Minnesota, and grew up in Chaska and Carver, Minnesota.
His family tree is a matter of public record, and he has a grandfather named Iver Bror Lindell.
Lindell’s past struggles with addiction, including gambling and drug use, have been well-documented.
Net worth
Lindell’s net worth has fluctuated over the years, with Celebrity Net Worth reporting it to be $0.
At the peak of his business, his fortune was estimated at around $300 million, primarily derived from the success of MyPillow.
However, due to legal challenges, defamation lawsuits, and the revocation of accreditation for My Pillow by the Better Business Bureau, his net worth has experienced a decline.
In 2023, Lindell’s net worth was estimated at $174 million but it has been affected by the withdrawal of major retailers like Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond from carrying MyPillow products, as well as his involvement in unproven medical treatments for COVID-19 and his claims relating to the 2020 United States presidential election results.
Private jets
Lindell previously owned a 1993 Dassault-Breguet Falcon 50 jet, which he sold in July 2021 amid a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems.
The jet, which could seat up to 10 passengers and had an onboard bathroom, could fly 3,594 miles at a maximum speed of 539 mph.
Lindell used the jet for travel between New Bedford, Massachusetts and Horseheads, New York.
He sold the plane to help finance his court battles with Dominion Voting Systems, as one of his employees told Salon that the company had quit using the plane before deciding to sell it.
Lindell countersued Dominion for $1.6 billion, claiming that their lawsuit is a government violation of his Constitutional right to free speech.
It is unclear how much the jet sold for, but a similar 1993 Falcon 50 private jet is currently selling for $2.5 million on Global Aero Export, an online aircraft sales website.
Real estate
Lindell owns a significant number of real estate properties and houses.
He possesses 13 real estate properties, including opulent residences and his main residence is a lavish 21,000-square-foot mansion in Minnesota, originally purchased for $40 million and now valued at over $58 million.
Entrepreneurial ventures
Lindell started various small businesses in the 1980s, including carpet cleaning, lunch wagons, and bars and restaurants in Carver County, Minnesota.
His addiction to gambling and drugs, particularly cocaine and crack, led to the foreclosure of his house and his wife filing for divorce.
Lindell achieved sobriety through prayer in 2009.
He invented My Pillow in 2004, filling it with pieces of shredded foam that interlock
Lindell grew the business into a Minnesota manufacturing company. My Pillow’s success led to annual revenues exceeding $30 million.
However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) revoked the company’s accreditation in 2017 due to a pattern of consumer complaints, lowering its rating to an F.
My Pillow reached its peak revenue of around $280 million per year through a combination of successful marketing strategies, widespread retail distribution and a loyal customer base.
The company’s growth was fueled by its innovative pillow design, aggressive advertising campaigns and endorsements from celebrities and influencers.
My Pillow’s direct-to-consumer sales model, which bypassed traditional retail channels, also contributed to its revenue growth.
Additionally, the company’s expansion into new product lines such as bedding and slippers further boosted its overall revenue.
My Pillow revocation of accreditation
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) revoked the accreditation of My Pillow in 2017 due to a pattern of consumer complaints.
The main issue was an ongoing “buy one get one free” deal, which the BBB considered misleading as it became the regular price of the product instead of a sale or free offer.
MyPillow was repeatedly asked to discontinue the offer but did not comply, leading to the revocation of accreditation and a lowering of its rating to an F.
Lindell expressed disappointment but continued the offer, stating he would look at making changes in 2017.
The BBB’s role is to protect the marketplace and ensure businesses adhere to their code of advertising, which prohibits making a BOGO or any deep discount a continuous offer.
Support for Donald Trump
Lindell has been known for his unwavering loyalty to Trump, actively participating in Trump’s political rallies and events.
His support for Trump extended beyond public appearances; he has used his platform to promote Trump’s political agenda and defend him against various controversies.
Lindell’s close ties to Trump have been evident in his public statements, business decisions, and involvement in political activities aligned with Trump’s interests.
He has persistently promoted conspiracy theories alleging widespread voter fraud and election irregularities that led to Trump’s defeat.
Despite numerous legal challenges, including a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, Lindell has continued to assert that the election was fraudulent and has actively sought to discredit evidence to the contrary.
Lawsuits
Lindell is involved in multiple legal battles related to his claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
He has been sued for defamation by voting machine companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, with Dominion seeking $1.3 billion in damages.
Lindell has countersued Dominion for $1.6 billion, claiming the lawsuit violates his constitutional right to free speech.
In addition to these lawsuits, he has faced financial challenges due to unpaid legal fees.
Lindell’s legal team, Parker Daniels Kibort LLC, has filed a motion to sever ties with Lindell and MyPillow due to millions of dollars in unpaid legal bills in three defamation cases.
He has also been ordered to pay $5 million for losing a “Prove Mike Wrong” 2020 election challenge.
Lindell has sold his private plane to help fundraise for his legal battles.
He has also faced criticism for his behavior during depositions in the defamation lawsuits, with reports of him yelling, swearing, calling lawyers names and banging his fist on a table.
Books
Lindell has authored a book titled, What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO.
This raw and authentic memoir details his personal battles with crack cocaine and gambling.
The book has been well-received, with Lindell sharing his journey from addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
His book is available on various platforms like Audible, Goodreads, Amazon and MyPillow’s official website, offering readers insights into his remarkable transformation and entrepreneurial success.
