Updated: October 6, 2025
Name: Chris Gardner
Birth Name: Chris Gardner
Date of Birth: February 9, 1954
Age: 71
Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height (cm): 185
Parents: Betty Jean, Thomas Turner
Children: Christopher Jarrett Gardner Jr., Jasinta Gardner
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Net Worth: $70 million
Biography & Career:
Chris Gardner is an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker known for his inspiring life story and business achievements. Born on February 9, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was raised by his father Thomas Turner and mother Betty Jean. His early years were marked by hardship, including time in foster care. Gardner pursued a career in finance and in 1987 founded his brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co, later establishing Christopher Gardner International Holdings.
His journey and struggles were chronicled in his autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, which became the basis for the hit movie of the same name starring Will Smith. Gardner’s life story highlights his resilience, perseverance, and unwavering determination to rise above adversity. He continues to inspire audiences globally through his books, motivational speaking engagements, and personal mentorship.
Gardner has been married twice — first to Sherry Dyson (divorced in 1986) — and later remarried. His children remain an essential part of his personal life and serve as a constant source of motivation.
Chris Gardner Books:
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (2009)
Permission to Dream (2021)
Chris Gardner Movies:
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
