Suze Orman
Suze Orman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Susan Lynn Orman June 5, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Financial advisor, author, podcast presenter |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | The Suze Orman Show, Suze Orman Financial Group |
| Notable work | The Courage to Be Rich, Women & Money, The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+ |
Susan Lynn "Suze" Orman ( ; born June 5, 1951) is a prominent American financial advisor, author, and podcast presenter. She established the Suze Orman Financial Group in 1987 and rose to fame through The Suze Orman Show broadcast on CNBC from 2002 until 2015.
Orman has written ten consecutive personal finance books that reached the New York Times bestseller list. Recognized twice on the Time 100 list of influential figures, she has earned two Emmy Awards and eight Gracie Awards. Her work includes producing and hosting nine specials for PBS, alongside numerous television appearances such as nearly 29 on The Oprah Winfrey Show and more than 30 on Larry King Live. Currently, she hosts the Suze Orman's Women & Money Podcast.
Early life and education
Orman was born in Chicago to Jewish parents with roots in Russia and Romania. Her mother worked as a secretary while her father owned a deli. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1976. Later, she was honored with honorary doctorates from the University of Illinois in 2009 and Bentley University in 2010.
Career
Following graduation, Orman relocated to Berkeley, California, where she launched a restaurant in 1980, financed by $52,000 borrowed from friends. After experiencing a financial setback investing at Merrill Lynch, she trained as an account executive there until 1983 before serving as vice president of investments at Prudential Bache Securities.
In 1987, she founded the Suze Orman Financial Group based in Emeryville, California, managing it through 1997. One of her early publications was a client-distributed booklet comparing life insurance options.
Between 1995 and 2020, Orman authored ten original personal finance books along with several updated versions. Her notable works include The Courage to Be Rich, Women & Money, and The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+.
Her television career began with The Suze Orman Show on CNBC in 2002. After appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2008, she distributed almost two million copies of her book Women and Money. Between 2008 and 2010, Kristen Wiig impersonated her on Saturday Night Live. In 2012, Orman hosted six episodes of America's Money Class with Suze Orman on OWN.
She has also provided financial advice through columns for publications such as O, The Oprah Magazine, Yahoo!'s "Money Matters," and Costco Connection Magazine.
Orman's last episode on CNBC aired in March 2015 before plans for a new series titled Suze Orman's Money Wars, which ultimately did not come to fruition.
In 2016, she took on the role of personal finance educator for the United States Army and Army Reserve. Two years later, in 2018, she became a Special Advocate for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, concentrating on raising awareness about financial abuse.
In 2020, Orman co-established SecureSave, a program providing employer-matched emergency savings accounts designed to enhance savings rates across America.
Personal life
Orman publicly revealed her lesbian identity in 2007. Since 2010, she has been married to Kathy Travis (KT), who also serves as her business collaborator.
She has contributed financially to the Democratic Party and openly supports its stance on LGBTQ rights.
Controversies
In 2012, Orman introduced the Approved prepaid debit card, issued by Bancorp Bank. This product attracted criticism due to concealed fees and questionable claims about enhancing users' FICO credit scores; it was ultimately discontinued in 2014.
Additionally, Orman encountered criticism regarding her statements about her qualifications and her teaching position at the for-profit University of Phoenix.
Books
- You've Earned It, Don't Lose It (1995)
- The Nine Steps To Financial Freedom (1997)
- The Courage to Be Rich (1999)
- The Road to Wealth (2001)
- The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life (2003)
- The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke (2005)
- Women and Money (2007; updated 2018)
- Suze Orman's Action Plan (2009; updated 2010)
- The Money Class (2011; updated 2012)
- The Adventures of Billy & Penny (2017)
- The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+ (2020)
Multimedia
Orman created multiple financial education resources associated with her brand:
- Suze Orman's FICO Kit (2002)
- Will & Trust Kit (2005)
- Insurance Kit (2007)
- Protection Portfolio (available since 2002)
- Identity Theft Kit (2008)
- Save Yourself Retirement Program (2009)