Steve Pomrenke: Wiki/Bio, Age, Divorce, Wife, Kids, Net worth.

Steve Pomrenke is best known as one of the central figures of Discovery Channel’s Bering Sea Gold. Nicknamed “Mr. Gold,” he built a reputation for record-breaking gold hauls and fearless leadership while operating dredges such as the Christine Rose and The Shamrock. Beyond television, he is a lifelong mechanic turned miner who pursued the challenging gold fields of Nome, Alaska, with persistence and technical skill.

His journey from growing up on a Minnesota dairy farm to becoming a respected name in Alaskan mining is filled with determination, setbacks, and remarkable comebacks. Over nearly a decade on screen, Pomrenke not only showcased the dangers and rewards of gold mining but also highlighted the complex dynamics of working alongside his son, Shawn Pomrenke.

Early Life

Steve Pomrenke, a mechanic, gold miner, and TV personality, was born in Minnesota, United States, on August 19, 1952. He has a caucasian background and a Leo star sign. His father, Wally Pomrenke, raised him on a dairy farm near Pierz, Minnesota. There, Steve developed his skills in fixing and maintaining machines. He became so good at it that people nicknamed him “Repair Steves.”

Career & Progression

Steve Pomrenke is a self-made man and an unlikely person in gold mining. Steve worked as a mechanic until he had enough money to pursue his mining dreams in Alaska. During his early years in Minnesota, he worked as a diesel mechanic in St. Cloud followed by some time in the Twin Cities. He then opened a repair shop. Even he got a truck and was an over-the-road trucker for some years. In 1986 his first job in Nome, Alaska was to rejuvenate dead machinery in a construction company. After working for four years the company was sold. Even though he continued as a contracted mechanic he took days off and weekends to fix machinery for miners.

Gold Mining

Steve did not exactly leave the mechanic work and started Gold Mining at once. He first extracted 23 ounces of gold in 10 days using borrowed equipment. It was a trade-off with a friend named Dan Walsh who agreed to teach him mining and showed him the spot on famous Anvil Creek and in return asked to teach him fixing machinery. After juggling between machinery and mining Steve finally decided to become a full-time gold miner in 1992.

Going Bust at Anvil Creek

He opened the first pit mine at Triple Creek in Alaska. During the winter he would do jobs in real estate since the sub-below temperature would not allow him to mobilize workers and equipment. He would manage apartments.

Steve mined in Triple Creek until about 2003 and after significant success, Steve decided to head back to Anvil Creek. And it turned out to be a bust. He lost $400,000 over three years.

Steve was not to be beaten although it led him to the brink of financial ruin. He put together whatever money to buy Christine Rose with his son Shawn and set out to the Bering Sea. This time, Steve was not to return empty-handed. On his maiden voyage with the Christine Rose, Steve somehow managed to pull in two thousand golden ounces.

Working with son Shawn Pomrenke

Steve and his son, Shawn Pomrenke together lead their gold mining operation through Pomrenke Mining LLC, based in Nome, Alaska.  It was Shawn who first helped Steve set up Christine Rose. The pair make a great combo and often compensate for each other weaknesses. After all, both Steve and Shaw share the same passion for gold mining. And while Steve is often left doubting if his son has what it takes, there is no better person to pass down his skills. But Shawn has often caused problems for Steve. In the past, Shawn has not only been reckless with his behavior but has also been arrested quite a few times.

Finding Success in the Water

Christine Rose is one of the most successful vessels in the reality TV series, Bering Sea Gold. The immense success of the vehicle only goes to prove the skills of Steve. Steve is the hands-on kind of person who likes to get in there and do things by himself. Even though Shwan is the deckhand of the ship, Steve is often seen working on minute jobs.

Nearly losing his Partner:

It’s every parent’s nightmare to see their children get hurt. And while Steve is there to keep an eye on Shwan on the ship, the young tend to get into fights when he is on his own. A few years ago, Shawn got into a fight with an unnamed man at the bar. The fight broke out like a usual bar fight, with some fists and punches. This was until the other man took out a knife and stabbed Shwan in the back. As a result, Shawn had to spend half of the mining season hospitalized.

Bering Sea Gold Fame

In 2012, Steve joined Discovery Channel’s Bering Sea Gold. Over the course of nine seasons and more than 70 episodes, he earned the nickname “Mr. Gold” for consistently pulling record hauls from the seafloor. His fearless approach, mechanical ingenuity, and no-nonsense leadership became a central part of the show’s identity. Memorable episodes, such as the intense Season 6 “Turf War,” showcased just how much competitors respected—and sometimes tried to outmaneuver—him.

By 2017 (Season 9), Steve began stepping back from the spotlight. While fans speculated, no official reason was ever given. Observers believe he wanted to focus on private ventures and avoid the drama of reality TV. By the time Season 10 wrapped in 2018, Steve had quietly exited as a full-time cast member. His absence left what many fans described as a “noticeable void” in the show’s dynamic.

Still, Steve made occasional cameo appearances until 2023, keeping a loose connection with the franchise but no longer driving its storylines. For longtime viewers, his departure marked the end of an era.

Net Worth

When it comes to finances, Steve Pomrenke has built his wealth the same way he built his career—through persistence, skill, and a willingness to take risks. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at around $4.0 million.

That figure comes from decades of gold mining in Nome, where the Christine Rose brought in some of the biggest hauls on record, along with steady pay from his nine seasons on Bering Sea Gold. Reports suggest he earned close to $200,000 per season on the show. Added to that are the profits from his best mining years—often reaching into the six‑figures after covering fuel, crew wages, and equipment costs—as well as the income he picked up in off‑seasons working as a mechanic and managing rental properties.

Of course, the world of gold mining is unpredictable. Prices rise and fall, equipment breaks, and seasons can end in disappointment. But looking at the long arc of his career, a net worth of about four million dollars gives a clear picture of what Steve’s lifelong dedication to mining has earned him.

Personal Life: Wife and Children

Steve Pomrenke’s first marriage came early in his adult life. He married Catherine M. Gray, and together they raised three children: Shawn, Erick, and Nikki Pomrenke. During this period, Steve was establishing himself professionally in Minnesota, first as a diesel mechanic in St. Cloud and later operating his own repair shop near Pierz. Family life and work kept him busy, but his growing interest in Alaska would eventually take him away for summers in Nome beginning in 1986. Over time, the marriage came to an end, and Catherine chose to step out of the public eye, keeping her personal life private.

Years later, Steve met Christine Skiba, a Harding, Minnesota native, during a Gull Lake fishing contest. The two formed a close bond, and they married in 1999. Christine would become Steve’s partner through the highs and lows of mining, supporting him as he balanced the tough demands of gold dredging in Alaska with winters spent back home in Minnesota.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Full name	Steve Pomrenke
Age	72 years old
Date of Birth	August 19, 1952
Place of Birth	Minnesota, United States
Profession	Gold miner, Reality television Personality, Mechanic
Net worth	$4 million
Wife	Catherine M Gray (ex), Christine Skiba
Kids	Shawn, Erick, Nikki Pomrenke
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Zodiac Sign	Leo
Siblings	Gary Pomrenke