Isaac Larian

$1.10 B

Ranked #1999 in World

About Isaac Larian

Isaac Larian, an Iranian-born American billionaire and the visionary behind MGA Entertainment, the globe's leading private toy company, has a story marked by ambition and success. His journey commenced in Kashan, Iran, where he was born into a Jewish family, and eventually made his way to the United States at 17, starting from humble beginnings as a dishwasher, bus-boy, and waiter, before graduating from California State University with an engineering degree in 1978. Larian's business acumen led him from a failed mail-order venture to a prosperous career in toys, developing the iconic "Bratz" dolls and engaging in significant legal victories over industry giants like Mattel. His efforts to acquire Toys "R" Us in 2018 showcased his dedication to preserving toy retail. Off the business floor, Larian's personal life is centered in Los Angeles, where he resides with his family, celebrated for his entrepreneurial spirit with Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards in both 2004 and 2007. His impactful career extends from strategic stock trading, accumulating substantial profits, to influencing the toy industry landscape globally.

Born

March 28, 1954 in Kashan, Iran

Age

72 years

Source Of Wealth

Toys

Industries

Manufacturing

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Los Angeles, California

Spouse

Angela Neman

Children

Isaac Larian, an Iranian-born American billionaire businessman, was born in Kashan, Iran, to a Jewish family. At the age of 4, he relocated to Tehran, where he worked in his father's textile shop from the age of 9. At the age of 17, he immigrated to the United States alone, where he worked as a dishwasher, bus-boy, and waiter. He enrolled at Los Angeles Southwest College before transferring to California State University, Los Angeles, where he graduated in 1978 with a degree in civil engineering.

Isaac Larian: Family

Isaac Larian is married with three children and currently resides in Los Angeles.

Isaac Larian: Career Highlights

Isaac Larian's career highlights include starting a mail-order company called Surprise Gift Wagon, becoming a distributor for Nintendo in 1987, and becoming a licensee for the "Power Rangers" in 1993. He shifted his focus to toys in 1997 and had success with the Singing Bouncy Baby. In 1998, he changed the company name to MGA Entertainment and developed the "Bratz" doll in 2001, which surpassed Barbie's sales in 2005. He was involved in legal battles with Mattel over Bratz doll design and trade secrets. In 2006, he acquired Little Tikes and released the successful "Lalaloopsy" doll in 2010. In 2011, he won $310 million from Mattel in a lawsuit.

Isaac Larian: Companies

Isaac Larian is the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the world's largest privately owned toy company. He also founded Surprise Gift Wagon and was a distributor for Nintendo.

Isaac Larian: Major Achievements

Isaac Larian's major achievements include developing the "Bratz" doll, which surpassed Barbie's sales in 2005, and winning $310 million from Mattel in a lawsuit in 2011. He was also named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the consumer products category in 2004 and named overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007.

Isaac Larian: Awards & Achievements

Isaac Larian has received numerous awards and achievements, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the consumer products category in 2004 and the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007.

Isaac Larian: Personal Life & Legacy

Isaac Larian is married with three children and currently resides in Los Angeles.

He is known for his philanthropy and has donated to various charities and organizations. He is also an advocate for entrepreneurship and has spoken at numerous events and conferences.

Isaac Larian: Trivia

Isaac Larian traded hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Mattel's stock between 2005 and 2019, making a net profit of $28 million, an 11% return on investment. He also traded in shares of Hasbro, another competitor.

Wealth History

Timeline

1947

Isaac Larian was born in Kashan, Iran, to a Jewish family.

1951

Relocated to Tehran at age 4.

1956

Started working in his father's textile shop at age 9.

1965

Immigrated to the United States alone at age 17.

1978

Graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with a degree in civil engineering.

1982

Started a mail-order company called Surprise Gift Wagon.

1987

Became a distributor for Nintendo.

1993

Became a licensee for the "Power Rangers".

1997

Shifted focus to toys, had success with the Singing Bouncy Baby.

1998

Changed company name to MGA Entertainment.

2001

Developed the "Bratz" doll.

2005

Bratz sales surpassed Barbie's.

2006

Acquired Little Tikes.

2010

Released the successful "Lalaloopsy" doll.

2011

Won $310 million from Mattel in a lawsuit.

2018

Launched a GoFundMe campaign to acquire Toys "R" Us after its bankruptcy announcement.

2019

Placed a bid of $890 million for Toys "R" Us stores in the US and Canada.

2004

Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the consumer products category.

2007

Named overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Isaac Larian : FAQs

What is Isaac Larian's net worth?

As of 2018, Isaac Larian's net worth was $1.10 billion.

What are Isaac Larian's main sources of wealth?

Isaac Larian's main source of income comes from Toys.

In which industry does Isaac Larian primarily operate?

Isaac Larian is primarily involved in the Manufacturing industry.

How old is Isaac Larian?

Isaac Larian is 72 years old.

How many children does Isaac Larian have?

Isaac Larian has 3 children.

Who is Isaac Larian, and what is he known for?

Isaac Larian is an Iranian-born American billionaire businessman, best known as the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the world's largest privately owned toy company.

What were the early life experiences that shaped Isaac Larian?

Born in Kashan, Iran, to a Jewish family, Isaac Larian moved to Tehran at age 4, worked in his father's textile shop from age 9, and immigrated to the United States at age 17, where he worked in various jobs before pursuing higher education and graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1978.

How did Isaac Larian begin his career before founding MGA Entertainment?

Isaac Larian's early career involved starting a mail-order company called Surprise Gift Wagon, then shifting to importing consumer electronics with his brother Fred, becoming a distributor for Nintendo in 1987, and later becoming a licensee for 'Power Rangers' before finding success in the toy industry.

What are some of the key milestones and achievements of MGA Entertainment under Isaac Larian's leadership?

Under Isaac Larian's leadership, MGA Entertainment changed its name from its previous incarnation in 1998, developed the hugely successful 'Bratz' doll in 2001, won a $310 million lawsuit against Mattel in 2011, and acquired established brands like Little Tikes.

What significant efforts did Isaac Larian make towards acquiring Toys "R" Us?

Isaac Larian launched a GoFundMe campaign and personally contributed $200 million towards acquiring Toys "R" Us after its bankruptcy announcement in 2018, placing a bid of $890 million for its stores in the US and Canada.