What’s really fascinating about Carter’s story is how he turned a traditional finance background into multiple successful ventures. From selling a spirits company for millions to building one of the most respected venture capital firms in the business, his journey shows what’s possible when you combine financial expertise with entrepreneurial vision.
Carter Reum Net Worth: The Numbers Behind the Success
So, what’s Carter Reum actually worth? Well, that depends on who you ask, but most financial experts put his net worth somewhere between $20 million and $40 million as of 2024. The wide range isn’t because people can’t count – it’s because a lot of his wealth is tied up in private investments that are tough to value precisely.
Celebrity Net Worth pegs him at around $20 million, while other sources suggest he could be worth closer to $40 million when you factor in his stake in M13 Ventures and the profits from selling VEEV Spirits. Either way, we’re talking about serious money here.
What makes this even more impressive? Carter built most of this wealth before he married Paris Hilton in 2021. So while his wife might be worth around $300 million, Carter’s fortune is entirely self-made through his own business smarts and strategic decisions.
Early Life and Educational Foundation
Carter Milliken Reum was born on February 5, 1981, in Wayne, Illinois, and grew up in a family that understood business from day one. His dad, Robert Carter Reum, wasn’t just any businessman – he was the president, chairman, and CEO of Amsted Industries, one of America’s largest private companies.
Growing up in that environment meant Carter was exposed to high-level business discussions around the dinner table. He learned early on how successful companies operate and what it takes to make tough decisions in competitive markets.
After finishing up at Glenbard South High School, Carter headed to Columbia University in New York. He graduated in 2003 with a degree in business and managerial economics, giving him the academic foundation he’d later use to build his business empire.
Goldman Sachs Years: Building Financial Expertise
Right after college, Carter landed a job at Goldman Sachs in 2004 as an investment banker. Now, for most people, getting hired at Goldman Sachs would be the ultimate career goal. But Carter saw it differently – he viewed it as an intensive training program that would prepare him for bigger things.
Working at Goldman Sachs taught Carter how to analyze deals, understand market dynamics, and structure complex financial transactions. He worked alongside his brother Courtney, and together they got an inside look at how major corporations make strategic decisions.
But here’s the thing – Carter never planned to stay there forever. He later said he always saw Goldman Sachs as a “two-year training ground” that would give him the skills he needed for whatever entrepreneurial venture came next.
VEEV Spirits: The First Major Success
In 2007, Carter and his brother Courtney made what many people thought was a crazy decision. They left their comfortable, well-paying jobs at Goldman Sachs to start a liquor company called VEEV Spirits. Talk about a leap of faith!
VEEV wasn’t just another vodka brand, though. They created an açaí-infused spirit that appealed to health-conscious drinkers who wanted something a little different. Even better, they made VEEV the first carbon-neutral spirits brand, which was pretty revolutionary at the time.
The gamble paid off big time. Within ten years, VEEV had become one of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America, with annual sales topping $10 million. When they sold the company to Luxco in 2016, they got more than seven times the company’s revenue – a massive win that set them up for their next venture.
M13 Ventures: Venture Capital Mastery
With the success of VEEV Spirits under their belts, the Reum brothers launched M13 Ventures in 2016. This venture capital firm focuses on investing in consumer-focused companies, especially those using technology to shake up traditional industries.
M13’s portfolio reads like a who’s who of successful startups: Lyft, Pinterest, Ring, Snapchat, and Headspace, just to name a few. Carter has been involved in funding seven companies that eventually became unicorns (worth over $1 billion), which is pretty incredible when you think about it.
The firm’s success speaks for itself. In March 2022, M13 raised $400 million for its third fund, showing that major investors have serious confidence in Carter’s ability to spot winning companies before they hit it big.
Beyond Business: Author and Thought Leader
Carter isn’t just about making money – he’s also passionate about sharing what he’s learned with other entrepreneurs. In 2018, he and his brother wrote “Shortcut Your Startup: Speed Up Success with Unconventional Advice from the Trenches.”
The book draws from their real-world experience building and selling VEEV Spirits, offering practical advice that you won’t find in typical business school textbooks. It’s become pretty popular in entrepreneurial circles and has helped establish Carter as someone worth listening to in the startup world.
One of Carter’s favorite concepts is continuous improvement. He often talks about getting “1% better every day,” which he says can make you “37 times better” by the end of a year through compound growth. It’s a simple idea, but it shows how he thinks about long-term success.
Personal Life and Future Wealth Prospects
Carter’s personal life got a lot more public attention when he started dating Paris Hilton. They got engaged in February 2021, married that November, and now have three kids together: Phoenix, London, and Evie.
The couple has made some serious real estate moves, including buying an $8.4 million beachfront house in Malibu and leasing a $21.5 million mansion in Beverly Park. These aren’t just lifestyle purchases – they’re also smart investments in high-end real estate markets.
Looking ahead, Carter’s wealth prospects look pretty solid. He’s still actively involved with M13 Ventures, and his track record of successful investments suggests he’ll continue growing his fortune. As new technologies emerge and the startup ecosystem evolves, his expertise in spotting promising companies should serve him well.
The bottom line? Carter Reum has built an impressive fortune through smart business decisions, strategic investments, and a willingness to take calculated risks. While he might be known to many as Paris Hilton’s husband, his financial success is entirely his own achievement.
