Dave Hester now, wiki, bio, net worth, age, height, wife, kids.

There is a reason why they call Dave Hester ‘The Moghul’. The man is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to antiques and collections. One of the stars of the reality TV series Storage Wars, Hester has been around the American auctioneering scene for quite a while. Not only is he envied by fellow auctioneers, but he is also respected by them. Equipped with his favorite catchphrase, a loud ‘YUPP’, Dave commands attention whenever he is in an auction. Dave knows how to play the auction game and is often known to raise bids whenever somebody wants to buy the unit. In this article, we take a closer look at the wiki-bio of Dave Hester.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Fact	Value
Full name	Dave Hester
Nickname	The Mogul
Date of birth	July 23, 1964
Age	59 years old (as of 2023)
Zodiac sign	Leo
Place of birth	Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base near Oceanside, California, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Mixed (Mexican and Caucasian)
Mother’s origin	Mexico
Father’s occupation	Auctioneer and collector
Siblings	One brother
Marital status	Married
Wife	Donna Hester
Children	One son (Dave Jr.)
Height (approx)	5 feet 6 inch (167 cm)
Weight	158 lbs (72 kilograms)
Eye color	Brown
Hair color	Black
Profession	Businessman, storage unit buyer and professional auctioneer
Net worth	$5 million (as of 2023)
Catchphrase	“YUUUP!”
First auction attended	In 1986, when he was 22 years old
First storage auction attended	In the 1990s, when he worked as a bid-catcher
License as an auctioneer	Obtained in 1992
Shops owned	Newport Consignment Gallery and Rags to Riches thrift store (closed in June 2011)
Current business	Dave Hester Auctions (founded in 2011)
Most valuable find	A painting by California impressionist Jack Wilkinson Smith titled ‘The Golden Pool’, which he bought for $750 and sold for $155,000
Reality TV show debut	Storage Wars (2010)
Seasons appeared on Storage Wars	Season 1 to Season 3, and Season 5 onwards
Reason for leaving Storage Wars in Season 4	Fired by A&E Network after accusing the show of being rigged and staged
Legal dispute with A&E Network	Filed a lawsuit against the network in December 2012, alleging wrongful termination, breach of contract, unfair business practices and fraud. The lawsuit was settled in 2014, with Hester returning to the show in Season 5.

Early Life

Dave Hester was born on the 23rd of July 1964 in California, U.S. Born and raised in California, Dave was influenced by his father from a young age. His father was into antiques and collectibles, and would often ask Dave to accompany him. As a result, Dave inherited his father’s taste and eye in antiques. Over the years, Dave polished his skills as an auctioneer and gathered vast knowledge on the subject. Not only could Dave tell you the exact value of an item on display, but he could also tell you where it came from.

Professional Career

Before he became famous for his role in Storage Wars, Hester was already an experienced auctioneer in Southern California. He started his career at the age of 14, when he helped his father run a military surplus store and auction house. He started buying self-storage units at his first auction in 1986 and never stopped. He worked as a bid catcher for an auction house in the early 1990s and became an auctioneer himself in 1992. Hester found early success with his two shops Rags to Riches thrift store and a Newport Consignment Gallery. He later was forced to close both of his shops in 2011

Storage Wars

Hester’s career took a major turn in 2010, when he was cast as one of the original members of “Storage Wars”, a reality show that follows professional buyers as they compete for storage units across California. Hester quickly became the most hated character on the show, as he antagonized his rivals with his aggressive bidding style and his trademark catchphrase “Yuuup!” He also claimed to have an advantage over the others, as he had a trained eye for spotting valuable items and a vast network of contacts to sell them. He earned the nickname “The Mogul” for his success in the business.

Getting Fired: However, Hester’s fame also brought him trouble. In 2012, he filed a lawsuit against A&E Network and Original Productions, the producers of “Storage Wars”, accusing them of rigging the show by planting valuable items in some of the lockers and paying for some of the bids. He also alleged that they fired him from the show after he complained about their unethical practices. He demanded $750,000 in damages for wrongful termination and breach of contract. The lawsuit was settled in 2014, and Hester returned to the show for its fifth season.

Health Scare: In 2018, Hester had a health scare when he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing pauses during sleep. He underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain and spent several days in intensive care. He later recovered and resumed his activities on Storage Wars. He continued to appear on Storage Wars until the 12th season, which aired in 2019. Since then, he has not been seen on the show.

As of 2023, it is not clear if Hester will ever return to Storage Wars or if the show will continue without him. The last episode season 15 premiered on June 6, 2023, and no official announcement has been made about his future. Fans of the show and Hester will have to wait and see what happens next.

Net Worth

Dave Hester’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023. His main source of income is his business as an auction hunter and a store owner, as well as his salary from the show Storage Wars. He reportedly earned between $15,000 and $25,000 per episode. 

Wife & Kids

Dave Hester is married to Donna Hester, who prefers to keep a low profile and stay away from the media spotlight. The exact date of their marriage is not publicly known, but they have been together for a long time. They have a son named Dave Hester Jr., who occasionally helps his father with storage auctions and also makes guest appearances on the show.

Dave and Donna have maintained a stable and happy relationship over the years, despite the challenges and controversies that Dave has faced in his career. They have not been involved in any affairs or scandals that could jeopardize their marriage. They seem to be supportive of each other and share a strong bond of love and trust.

FAQs

Question	Answer
Who is Dave Hester?	Dave Hester is a professional auctioneer and reality TV star who appeared on the A&E series Storage Wars.
What is his catchphrase?	His catchphrase is “Yuuup!” which he uses to bid on storage lockers. He has trademarked the word and sells merchandise with it.
When did he join Storage Wars?	He joined Storage Wars in 2010 as one of the original cast members.
When did he leave Storage Wars?	He left Storage Wars in 2012 after he filed a lawsuit against A&E and Original Productions, alleging that the show was rigged and staged.
Why did he sue Storage Wars?	He sued Storage Wars for wrongful termination, breach of contract, unfair business practices, and fraud, claiming that he was fired for refusing to participate in the deception and exposing the truth.
What did he reveal about Storage Wars?	He revealed that the producers planted valuable items in the storage lockers, paid for some cast members’ bids, staged interviews and auctions, and even paid for plastic surgery for some female stars.
How much did he ask for in damages?	He asked for $750,000 in general and punitive damages, as well as restitution and injunctive relief.
How does he make money?	He makes money from his auctioneering business, his appearances on Storage Wars, his merchandise sales, and his personal collection of antiques and memorabilia.
What is his auctioneering business?	His auctioneering business is called Dave Hester Auctions. He conducts and consults on auctions for various clients, including charities, celebrities, government agencies, and private collectors.
What is his personal collection?	His personal collection includes items such as vintage cars, sports memorabilia, Hollywood props, art, jewelry, coins, stamps, and comic books. He has been collecting since he was a teenager and has amassed thousands of items.
Where does he store his collection?	He stores his collection in several warehouses across Southern California. He also rents out some of his items to museums, galleries, and film studios.
How did he get into auctioneering?	He got into auctioneering through his father, who was also an auctioneer and a collector. He learned the trade from him and started working as his assistant when he was 14 years old.
Does he have any siblings?	He has a brother who is also an auctioneer and a collector. They sometimes work together on auctions and appear on Storage Wars.
What is his relationship with his sons?	His relationship with his sons is close and supportive. He often spends time with them and takes them to auctions. He also teaches them about the business and the value of hard work.
Where does he live?	He lives in four-bedroom house in Westminster, California.
What are his hobbies?	His hobbies include fishing, golfing, traveling, and watching sports.
What are his controversies?	His controversies include his lawsuit against Storage Wars, his feud with his co-stars, his arrest for DUI in 2005, and his stroke in 2018.
What is his feud with his co-stars?	His feud with his co-stars is based on his antagonistic and competitive behavior on Storage Wars. He often insults, provokes, and outbids them, causing tension and resentment.
What is his arrest for DUI?	His arrest for DUI was in 2005, when he was pulled over by the police for speeding and driving erratically. He failed a sobriety test and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to community service and probation.
What is his stroke?	His stroke was in 2018, when he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke that caused bleeding in his brain. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery to remove a blood clot. He also had sleep apnea, which contributed to his condition.
How did he recover from his stroke?	He recovered from his stroke with the help of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. He lost weight, quit smoking, and reduced his stress levels. He also received support from his family, friends, and fans.
How did his stroke affect his career?	His stroke affected his career by forcing him to take a break from Storage Wars and auctioneering. He missed some episodes of season 11 and 12 of the show. He also had to limit his workload and travel schedule.
What are his plans for the future?	His plans for the future are to continue working as an auctioneer and a reality TV star. He also wants to expand his collection and his business. He hopes to stay healthy and happy.