Richard Rawlings [3 divorces, 4 weddings, kids?] net worth, height, wiki, bio, facts.

Richard Rawlings is a well-known entrepreneur, auto mechanic, race car driver and media personality. He is the owner of Gas Monkey Garage, a custom car shop that features on the Discovery Channel series Fast N’ Loud. He is also the author of a bestselling memoir, Fast N’ Loud: Blood, Sweat and Beers. But behind his success and fame, there is also a personal story of love, loss and moving on. In this article, we will bring everything to know about this television star including his net worth, marriages, kids and divorces.

Personal Life

Richard Rawlings is a man who has achieved a lot in his career, but he has also faced some difficulties in his personal life. Richard has been married four times and divorced three times in his life, and each relationship has taught him something valuable. He is currently with his third wife Katrina Deason, who seems to be his perfect match.

Television Personality & Entrepreneur Richard Rawlings

Richard does not have any biological children nor has adopted anyone. However, he has a stepson named Sinjin Venegas, who is the son of his second wife Suzanne Rawlings. Sinjin works as a social media manager for Gas Monkey Garage, which is Richard’s business and the focus of his reality TV show Fast N’ Loud.

First Marriage: Karen K Grames

Richard married his first wife, Karen K Grames, on November 18th, 1993. They were young and in love, but their marriage didn’t last long. They divorced in 1994, after only a year of being together.

Richard was doing odd jobs at the time to support his passion for cars. Karen supported him in many ways, but they grew apart and realized they wanted different things in life. They didn’t have any children together.

Second Marriage: Suzanne Marie Mergele

Richard met his second wife, Suzanne Marie Mergele, in 1999. He had started a printing and advertising business and was doing well financially. He married Suzanne on August 7th, 1999, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also shared Richard’s love for cars. She was his lucky charm, as he started Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas and landed a deal with Discovery Channel to star in Fast N’ Loud.

They had a happy marriage for ten years, but they also faced some challenges. They had to balance their work and personal lives, and deal with the pressures of fame and media attention. They decided to end their marriage in 2009, citing irreconcilable differences.

Third Marriage: Suzanne Marie Mergele (Again)

Richard and Suzanne didn’t stay apart for long. They realized they still loved each other and decided to give their marriage another chance. They remarried in August 2015, in Cabo, Mexico.

They hoped to make their second marriage work better than their first one. They renewed their vows and celebrated their love with their friends and family. They also appeared together on Fast N’ Loud and other shows. However, their second marriage also ended in divorce in 2019. They didn’t reveal the exact reason for their split, but they said they remained friends and respected each other. Richard Rawlings has paid a hefty sum for his divorces, especially to Suzanne, who received $300,000 and a Mercedes SL 450 roadster as part of the settlement.

Moving On: Katerina Deason

Richard didn’t let his divorces stop him from finding love again. Richard met his current wife Katerina, a former actress in 2019 who was also a divorcee. Katerina divorced her husband Darwin Deason in 2019 as well. They had married in 2008 and lived a lavish lifestyle with multiple homes, yachts and jets. They had no children together.

Richard and Katerina were introduced by a mutual friend and hit it off right away. They shared a passion for cars, racing and traveling. They also understood each other’s challenges and experiences as divorcees.

How They Got Married?

Richard and Katerina dated for a few months before Richard decided to pop the question. He planned a romantic proposal at the Be Tulum resort in Quintana Roo, Mexico, where they had vacationed before.

He surprised Katerina with a ring on August 16th, 2019. He also invited his sister Daphne and brother-in-law Ken Kaminski to witness the special moment. Richard posted a photo of himself kneeling in a bed of sandy rose petals on social media and declared his love for Katerina. Katerina also expressed her happiness and gratitude on her Instagram account. The couple planned to have a big wedding in Greece, but due to the pandemic, they decided to change their plans and get married in Key West, Florida instead. They tied the knot on July 7, 2020, on the beach under an arch made of flowers and driftwood. The pair since has been happily married but do not have kids of their own.

How Rich is Richard Rawlings?

Richard Rawlings is not your average car guy. He is a multi-talented entrepreneur, media personality, and cross-country racer who has turned his passion for cars into a global empire. He is the founder and owner of Gas Monkey Garage, a custom car shop that has been featured on the hit Discovery Channel show Fast N’ Loud since 2012. He is also the owner of Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live music venues in Dallas, Texas, as well as Richard Rawlings Motors, a dealership that sells his own line of high-performance vehicles. From multiple professional endeavors, Richard Rawlings has accumulated a net worth of $18 Million as of 2023.

Career & Progression

Rawlings was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 30, 1969. He grew up attending auto shows with his father and building cars with his own hands. He bought his first car, a 1974 Mercury Comet, when he was only 14 years old. He graduated from Eastern Hills High School and worked as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and paramedic before launching his own printing and advertising company, Lincoln Press, in 1999. He sold the company in 2004 and focused on his dream of opening a car shop.

In 2002, he founded Gas Monkey Garage with the goal of creating custom cars for customers worldwide. He hired a team of skilled mechanics and fabricators who shared his vision and work ethic. Together, they restored and modified classic and hot-rod automobiles, from vintage Mustangs to rare Ferraris. Their work caught the attention of Discovery Channel, which offered them a reality TV show that would document their projects and adventures.

Fast N’ Loud premiered in 2012 and became an instant hit with car enthusiasts and general audiences alike. The show follows Rawlings and his crew as they scour the country for hidden gems, negotiate deals, overcome challenges, and unveil their masterpieces. The show also showcases Rawlings’ other business ventures, such as Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, which opened in 2013 and serves American cuisine and live music; Gas Monkey Live, which opened in 2014 and hosts concerts and events; and Richard Rawlings Motors, which launched in 2016 and sells custom-built cars designed by Rawlings himself.

Racing & Authorship

Rawlings is not only a successful businessman but also a daring racer. He holds the record for the Cannonball Run, a cross-country road race from New York City to Los Angeles. In 2007, he and his co-pilot Dennis Collins completed the race in 31 hours and 59 minutes, beating the previous record of 32 hours and 51 minutes set in 1979. They drove a black Ferrari 550 modified with extra fuel cells. Rawlings has also participated in other racing events such as the Bullrun and the Gumball 3000.

Rawlings has written an autobiography titled Fast N’ Loud: Blood, Sweat and Beers, which was published in 2015 by William Morrow. In the book, he shares his personal story, his business philosophy, and his tips for achieving success. He has also appeared in national television commercials promoting Dodge vehicles and financing.

Television

Richard Rawlings is mostly known for his work on reality television and has worked in various capacities such as self/actor, producer and casting department. He has also made guest appearances on shows like Steve Harvey, Last Call With Carson Daly, Shark After Dark and CBS This Morning. Here is a quick timeline of his television career.

YearTitleRoleNotesFacts
2012-2020Fast N’ LoudProducer/Actor/Casting DepartmentTV Series, 4 episodes as producer, 1 episode as casting departmentThe show follows Richard and his crew as they restore and sell classic cars at Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, Texas.
2014Misfit GarageProducerTV Series, 2 episodesThe show is a spin-off of Fast N’ Loud and features former Gas Monkey Garage employees who start their own shop.
2015Welcome to HappinessProducerMovieThe movie is a comedy-drama about a children’s book author who discovers a magical door in his closet. Richard plays himself in a cameo appearance.
2015Dodge Law: Speak No EvilActorShortThe short is a promotional video for Dodge vehicles featuring Richard and other celebrities.
2015Alpine Restyle: The GetawayActorShortThe short is a promotional video for Alpine car audio systems featuring Richard and his crew.
2016Dodge: Commence to RockActorShortThe short is another promotional video for Dodge vehicles featuring Richard and other celebrities.
2017-2019Garage RehabProducer/Actor/SoundtrackTV Series, 17 episodes as producer, 1 episode as soundtrackThe show follows Richard and his team as they help struggling auto shops across the country. Richard also sings the theme song for the show.
2018Dallas Fresh: Guest Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey GarageActorVideoThe video is an interview with Richard about his life and career.
2020Shop ClassProducer/Actor/SelfTV SeriesThe show is a competition series where teams of young builders create amazing projects with the help of experts. Richard is one of the judges on the show.

Physical Traits and Dressing Style:

He has a muscular physique, and a goatee that gives him a rugged look. He stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs about 185 lbs (84 kg). He has brown eyes and gray hair that contrast with his tan skin. He often wears sunglasses, earrings, and tattoos that show his love for speed and adrenaline. His dressing style is casual and comfortable, but also stylish and edgy. He favors jeans, t-shirts, leather jackets, and boots that suit his personality and profession. He also likes to accessorize with watches, rings, and bracelets that add some flair to his outfit. Richard Rawlings is a car enthusiast who knows how to make a statement with his appearance.

Conclusion:

Richard Rawlings is a remarkable man who has achieved great success in his professional career. He has transformed his love for cars into a thriving business empire that spans across multiple industries. He has entertained millions of viewers with his charismatic personality and adventurous spirit on his TV show Fast N’ Loud. He has also proven his skills and courage as a cross-country racer by breaking the record for the Cannonball Run. He has been recognized for his achievements by receiving four Emmy nominations for his cinematography work on various TV shows and movies. He has also written an autobiography that reveals his personal story and his secrets to success. He is a role model for anyone who wants to follow their dreams and passions.

Wiki/Bio Facts:

FactValue
Full nameRichard Ray Rawlings
Date of birthMarch 30, 1969
Place of birthFort Worth, Texas, United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman, reality television star
Years active2002–present
Employer(s)Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, Gas Monkey Garage, Gas Monkey Live
Known forStar of Fast N’ Loud and Garage Rehab, owner of Gas Monkey Garage
TelevisionFast N’ Loud, Garage Rehab
Spouse(s)Karen K Grames (1993–1994), Suzanne Marie Mergele (1999–2009, 2015–2019), Katerina Rawlings (2020-Present)
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight84 kg (185 lbs)
Eye colorBrown
Hair colorGray
TattoosBoth arms
First car1974 Mercury Comet
Favorite car1932 Ford Roadster “The Deuce”
Cannonball Run record31 hours and 59 minutes (with Dennis Collins) in a Ferrari 550 in May 2007
AutobiographyFast N’ Loud: Blood, Sweat and Beers (2015)

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