Some people fall in love over candlelight. ‘Share Tank’ investor Kevin O’Leary says you should fall in love over a calculator.
In a post on X, O’Leary stripped marriage down to its bottom line: “The first child you have together is called MONEY.” He said money shows up early—on the second date, the third date, and every day after. Even when the real kids arrive, he says, “money never leaves the table.” And if you pretend it’s not there? “Seven years later you’re divorced.”
It’s not just a clever metaphor. O’Leary is sounding the alarm on what he sees as a major blind spot in relationships: financial realism. “Marriage is NOT just about love,” he wrote. “It’s a business.” And when you ignore that reality—when you make long-term commitments without confronting things like debt, income, spending habits, or future goals—he believes you’re gambling with both your heart and your net worth.
Don’t Miss:
O’Leary’s message wasn’t exactly soft: “Fall in love, enjoy the romance, but don’t be naive.” He pointed to financial pressure, not infidelity, as the number one killer of relationships. And he wasn’t talking about reckless shopping or hidden credit card balances—he was talking about the foundational stuff. Who handles the money. How it’s spent. Whether you both even agree on what financial success looks like. “When you take on a $400,000 mortgage together,” he wrote, “you better understand that marriage is also a financial partnership.”
To O’Leary, money isn’t just part of the marriage—it’s a full-time participant. It’s in the room when you talk about moving in together. It’s there when you plan a wedding. It’s absolutely there when you decide whether to have kids, where to live, or who quits their job when childcare becomes too expensive. And if one person’s idea of “budgeting” is meal planning, while the other thinks it means buying crypto on a dip, good luck staying aligned.
What he’s really warning against is the fairytale version of marriage that skips the practical talk. Too many couples, in his view, treat financial compatibility like a post-wedding bonus level instead of a prerequisite. That kind of thinking, he says, is why so many marriages implode once the honeymoon glow fades and real life—rent hikes, job loss, surprise expenses—kicks in.
Trending: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth — Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro
The solution? Treat the relationship like a business deal you actually want to keep. That doesn’t mean love takes a backseat, but it does mean asking hard questions early. What happens if one person can’t work? Who’s saving for retirement? What are the rules if parents offer money—or ask for it back? Who gets what if things go south?
O’Leary’s view isn’t romantic, but it’s realistic. And if you think the logic’s too cold, consider what he’s really saying: the most successful marriages don’t avoid talking about money. They make it part of the conversation from day one.
For couples who aren’t on the same page—or just want to make sure the page actually exists—it’s smart to chat with a financial adviser. Not when the fights start, but before the joint account gets opened or the down payment check gets written. A good adviser can act as a neutral third party, helping both people see the numbers clearly and set expectations that won’t blow up later.
Because whether you like it or not, money’s already sitting at the table. Might as well pull out a chair.
Read Next:
Image: Imagn
UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets.
Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga:
This article Kevin O'Leary Says 'Marriage Is A Business' and 'Your First Kid Is Money'—Even After The Real Kids Arrive, 'Money Never Leaves The Table' originally appeared on Benzinga.com
© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
