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'Shark Tank': Who's the richest shark on show? All about Mark Cuban, the billionaire who sold garbage bags at 12

The richest shark on the show is richer than all the sharks combined, and it is fascinating how he had a knack for business at the young age of 12

Ever since 'Shark Tank' first made its debut in 2009, people couldn't get enough of the hit entrepreneurial-reality show. The show features contestants who pitch their unique innovations and business ideas to a panel of investors known as "sharks". These sharks then decide whether they want to invest their money in the idea or not. While the premise sounds fairly simple, there is enough subtle drama on the show to keep the audiences hooked. From the sharks fighting among themselves to secure a deal to watching them brutally roast the contestants' pitches, the sharks on the show will definitely leave you entertained. 

According to reports, the sharks have invested nearly $100M on the business ideas pitched on the show. While Kevin O'Leary, Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner and Barbara Corcoran are the regular sharks, who we see on nearly every episode of the show, occasionally guest sharks such as Rohan Oza, Daniel Lubetzky and Anne Wojcicki make appearances. It goes without saying that the sharks on the show are extremely wealthy and successful in their own right. But have you ever wondered which shark is the richest among them? Is it our QVC Queen Lori or Mr Wonderful aka Kevin? Well, it's none other than Mark Cuban. 

Mark is the richest shark on the show with a net worth of $4.3B. The Dallas Mavericks owner is richer than all the sharks combined on the show. So how did Mark generate his wealth? Since the age of 12, Mark has had an eye for business and entrepreneurship. He used to sell garbage bags door to door. Today he is recognized as one of the most influential persons in the field of sports and cable industry. 

Mark became a household name following his highly publicized purchase of the Dallas Mavericks in January 2000. Before he ventured into the world of sports, Mark co-founded Broadcast.com, a multi-media and streaming platform on the internet. He sold it to Yahoo! Inc.for a whopping $5.7B. Besides owning the Dallas Mavericks, Mark is also the chairman of AXS TV and he co-owns Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures. 

'Shark Tank' Season 12 premieres on Friday, October 16, at 8/7c only on ABC.