Who Is Steven Bartlett? Net Worth, Girlfriend, Height & Full Biography of the Modern CEO
Satish kumar
7 minutes read
It’s not often someone rises through the noise of business, tech, and media and actually connects with people. Not just because they’re rich or successful, but because their story feels real. Steven Bartlett is one of those rare people. A university dropout, son of immigrants, and now a multimillionaire, author, investor, and host of one of the biggest podcasts in Europe—The Diary of a CEO.
But none of that happened overnight. There’s a full story here. One of being overlooked, rejected, broke, misunderstood—and slowly building something from absolutely nothing.
Quick Recap Table
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steven Cliff Bartlett |
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1992 |
| Birthplace | Botswana |
| Nationality | British |
| Girlfriend | Melanie Vaz Lopez |
| Net Worth | £75M–£100M (Approx. $90M–$120M) |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Known For | Diary of a CEO, Social Chain, Dragons’ Den |
| Book | Happy Sexy Millionaire |
| Podcast | The Diary of a CEO |
Born in Botswana, Raised in the UK
Steven Bartlett was born on August 26, 1992, in Botswana, to a Nigerian mother and a British father. His family later moved to Plymouth, a small city in England. It wasn’t a glamorous childhood. The family had very little money, and being one of the only Black kids in a mostly white school meant always feeling like an outsider.
His mother worked multiple jobs. His father, a structural engineer, was strict. Education was taken seriously at home. But school never clicked. Steven was smart—but uninterested in the system. There was always a disconnect between what was being taught and what felt useful. Teachers often saw laziness. But there was something deeper going on: a craving for freedom, a need to do things differently.
A One-Lecture College Career
After finishing school, Steven enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan University. That lasted for exactly one lecture.
One class in, and it was clear. This wasn’t the path. The lecture hall felt disconnected, uninspiring. Something inside said it would be a waste of time to stay.
With no degree, no money, and no plan B, the decision to drop out felt risky—but also necessary. What followed was a period of scraping by. Borrowing WiFi from McDonald’s, sleeping in a small flat in Manchester, skipping meals because there wasn’t enough cash. No startup fund. No rich uncle. Just an idea and a secondhand laptop.
The Birth of Social Chain
Everything changed when Steven met Dominic McGregor, who was running a Facebook page that connected with university students. They started brainstorming, asking big questions: What if brands could tap into online communities the way students did? What if digital attention could be monetized?
From those ideas, Social Chain was born. It wasn’t glamorous. It was scrappy. The first office had no chairs. They worked on bean bags, made cold calls, and slept in the office. But they understood social media in a way that most agencies didn’t. While others were focused on billboards and banner ads, Social Chain was building viral communities, running meme pages, and helping brands go viral on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Soon, clients came knocking: Coca-Cola, Amazon, Uber, Apple. In just a few years, the company grew from two broke guys in a Manchester flat to one of Europe’s most powerful social media agencies.
Social Chain eventually went public. By 2020, it was valued at over $300 million.
Podcasting with Purpose: The Diary of a CEO
After years of leading a fast-growing company, Steven stepped down as CEO and shifted focus. Not to rest, but to speak. Not to brag, but to reflect.
He started The Diary of a CEO, originally as a personal experiment—just a mic and some honest thoughts. No interviews, no big plans. But the rawness of those early episodes struck a chord. It was rare to hear a successful entrepreneur talk about loneliness, self-doubt, and anxiety without trying to sugarcoat it.
As the podcast grew, so did the guest list. Soon, names like Mo Gawdat, Jordan Peterson, Ben Francis, and Grace Beverley were sitting across the table.
The conversations weren’t like typical interviews. There were tears. Long silences. Truths most people don’t say out loud. Today, The Diary of a CEO is downloaded millions of times per month, and it’s helped redefine what a business podcast can be—emotional, raw, and brutally honest.
Author of Happy Sexy Millionaire
In 2021, Steven published his first book: Happy Sexy Millionaire.
The title sounds like a flex, but the message is the opposite. It’s a breakdown of the lies society tells about success. Steven wrote openly about chasing money, building a company, reaching the top—and realizing it didn’t feel like enough.
He shared how happiness doesn’t automatically come with wealth. How the grind culture can damage mental health. How people are taught to chase titles, likes, and followers without knowing why.
The book became a Sunday Times bestseller, praised for being insightful and personal, but also a necessary wake-up call for a generation chasing validation over fulfillment.
A New Kind of Dragon
In 2021, Steven joined BBC’s Dragons’ Den, becoming the youngest investor in the show’s history at just 28 years old.
The old Dragons wore suits and came from traditional industries. Steven showed up in a black t-shirt, calm, quiet—but sharp. He wasn’t loud or aggressive. He listened carefully. Asked tough, intelligent questions. And when he made a deal, it was for businesses that aligned with values—not just profits.
His modern mindset brought something new to the show. And viewers connected with it. His presence helped introduce a new generation to entrepreneurship—one that values purpose as much as profit.
Steven Bartlett’s Girlfriend: Melanie Vaz Lopez
Steven is usually private about his personal life. But in recent years, he’s shared more about his relationship with Melanie Vaz Lopez, a French entrepreneur and founder of a sustainable fashion brand.
They’ve been dating since around 2022. Melanie is smart, elegant, and deeply aligned with Steven’s values around personal growth, business, and wellness. Unlike influencer-style relationships built for attention, theirs feels grounded and real.
Steven has said that Melanie challenges him emotionally and intellectually. That kind of deep partnership—not just romance, but growth—is rare.
Net Worth: Where Things Stand
As of 2025, Steven Bartlett’s estimated net worth is between £75 million and £100 million, or roughly $90 million to $120 million.
The money comes from multiple sources:
- Equity from Social Chain
- Podcast advertising and sponsorships
- Book sales
- Speaking gigs
- Startup investments
- His marketing and media companies like Flight Story and Thirdweb
But money, for him, has never been the goal. It’s a tool. A resource. A way to gain freedom—not just financially, but creatively.
Height, Appearance, and Lifestyle
Steven stands about 6 feet tall (183 cm). Shaved head, short beard, usually in minimal, fitted clothes—often black.
His look is polished but simple. Stylish without trying too hard. That’s part of his brand. No excess. Just sharp, clean, and focused.
He rarely drinks alcohol, follows a clean diet, exercises regularly, and meditates. Discipline is a big part of his life. There’s no chaos behind the scenes. Just structure, consistency, and intention.
What Makes Him Different?
There are plenty of successful entrepreneurs, but Steven Bartlett stands out because of what he talks about when no one’s watching.
He talks about therapy. He talks about being depressed while running a $300 million company. He talks about not feeling good enough, even after building a global brand.
That kind of honesty is rare—especially from someone who has “made it.” He’s not trying to impress. He’s trying to understand himself. And in the process, helping others do the same.
What’s Next?
Steven isn’t slowing down. The Diary of a CEO continues to grow. His business investments are expanding. He’s working on new books, new tech projects, and deeper media ventures.
The next phase isn’t just about growth—it’s about legacy. Helping redefine entrepreneurship. Making space for vulnerability in leadership. And continuing to ask big questions that don’t have easy answers.
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