Paul Teutul Sr.: The Man Behind The Bikes And The Business

So, What’s Paul Teutul Sr.’s Net Worth?

Paul Teutul Sr. is not just another face on the reality TV scene. He's an entrepreneur, a TV personality, an author, and a producer who’s built a net worth of $500,000. Now, that’s impressive, right? Paul founded Orange County Choppers and Orange County Iron Works, and he’s been the star of several TV series, including the long-running "American Chopper" (which aired from 2003 to 2010 and has been revived since 2018). He’s also starred in spin-offs like "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior" (2010-2012), "Orange County Choppers" (2013-2014), and "Orange County Choppers: American Made" (2015-2016).

Paul didn’t stop at being in front of the camera. He also produced many episodes of "American Chopper." His sons, Paul Jr. and Mikey, joined him on the show, adding a layer of family dynamics to the mix. Beyond TV, Paul has written books like "Orange County Choppers: The Tale of the Teutuls" (2006) and "Ride of a Lifetime: Doing Business the Orange County Choppers Way" (2009). He's even made appearances in films and TV shows, including the 2007 movie "Wild Hogs," an episode of "My Name Is Earl" in 2008, and even a music video for Nickelback's "Rockstar." Paul competed on "Celebrity Apprentice" from 2012 to 2013, finishing in eighth place. And in 2007, he and his son Paul Jr. shared an Astra Award for Favorite International Personality or Actor for "American Chopper."

Bankruptcy: A Bumpy Road

In March 2018, Paul Teutul Sr. faced one of the toughest moments in his career when he filed for bankruptcy. Now, before you judge, let me explain. According to the filing, Paul had debts totaling $1,070,893 but assets worth $1,801,729. That’s right, he was in the black overall, but it was still a financial challenge. At the time, he was earning around $15,000 per month as a steel fabricator, but his monthly expenses topped $12,600. His attorney described the filing as "proactive, not reactive," which is a positive step for Paul. It’s all about restructuring and moving forward.

Read also:

Jeffrey Toobins Net Worth In 2024 The Journey Of A Legal Legend

Growing Up: Paul’s Early Years

Paul Teutul Sr. was born Paul John Teutul on May 1, 1949, in Yonkers, New York. His early life was rooted in the small town of Pearl River, New York. At just 18, Paul joined the United States Merchant Marines during the Vietnam War. This wasn’t just a job for him; it was an experience that shaped his character and prepared him for the challenges he’d face later in life.

Building a Legacy: Paul’s Career

Paul Teutul’s love for motorcycles didn’t happen overnight. It started in the ‘70s when he was inspired by iconic films like "Easy Rider" and "Hells Angels on Wheels." His fascination wasn’t just about riding bikes—it was about crafting them. In 1973, Paul launched Paul’s Welding in New York with nothing but "one pick-up truck and a welding machine." The business grew, and he eventually expanded it to a 7,000 square foot facility in Rock Tavern, renaming it Orange County Iron, which later became Orange County Ironworks, LLC in 2004.

Paul’s passion for custom bikes took him places he never imagined. He started building bikes inspired by the ones he saw in movies and on the streets. Eventually, he felt confident enough to hand over Orange County Ironworks to his son Dan and opened Orange County Choppers in Newburgh, New York. This decision wasn’t just about business—it was about following his dream.

In 2003, Hollywood came knocking. "American Choppers" premiered on the Discovery Channel and quickly became a hit, airing more than 230 episodes, including two seasons on TLC. The show spawned spin-offs like "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior," "Orange County Choppers," and "Orange County Choppers: American Made," along with specials like "American Chopper Live: The Build Off" (2011) and "Chopper Live: The Revenge" (2012). In 2020, Paul decided to close the Newburgh OCC location, but he didn’t stop there. In June 2021, he opened OCC Road House and Museum in Pinellas Park, Florida, a massive 11,000 square foot facility that’s more than just a business—it’s a destination. The place features a billiards hall, floor games, a museum with carefully selected motorcycles and memorabilia, a live event space, retail, and even a bar and restaurant.

Paul’s impact extends beyond entertainment. Orange County Choppers has built bikes for charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Iraq Star. In 2010, the company founded The OCC Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization aimed at giving back to the community. Paul said it best: "Everyone who knows me knows that I have a big attitude, but what you may not know is that we at OCC have an even bigger heart."

Behind Closed Doors: Paul’s Personal Life

Paul’s personal life has been as dramatic as his career. He was married to Paula Teutul from 1969 to 1995, and they had four children: Paul Jr., Michael, Daniel, and Cristin. Fans of "American Chopper" might remember the frequent arguments between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. on the show. In 2009, Paul Jr. was fired from Orange County Choppers but later returned as a consultant. Mikey stepped away from the family's TV ventures in 2012 but rejoined the show when it returned in 2018. Dan runs Orange County Ironworks, and Cristin works as a pediatric nurse. Paul married Beth Dillon in 2007, but they divorced in 2015 after a three-year separation. Since 2011, Paul has been in a relationship with Joan Bulger-Kay.

Read also:

Michael Mitnicks Journey Unpacking His 2024 Net Worth And Career Highlights

Paul’s life hasn’t been without its legal challenges. In April 2017, he was sued by his business partner, Thomas Derbyshire, who accused Paul of using Derbyshire’s investment money for personal use. Derbyshire also claimed that Paul tried to change their ownership agreement from 51/49 percent to 50/50 without consulting him. Another lawsuit came from JTM Motorsports, who claimed Paul promised to promote their business if they worked on his Corvette for free. In 2018, Paul revealed that he was involved in eight lawsuits at the time.

Real Estate Moves: Paul’s Home Life

In mid-2019, Paul sold his 3,448 square foot mansion in New York for $1.9 million. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home sits on 38 acres of land, and the sale even included some of Paul’s farm animals. He had originally listed the property for $2.89 million in October 2017, so the final sale price was a bit lower, but hey, that’s real estate for you.