"Bill stole my girls" — When Shark Tank mentor Mark Cuban reflected on billionaires and dating

On November 2, 2023, Shark Tank mentor Mark Cuban appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast, sharing a story about an encounter involving fellow billionaire Bill Gates. In the conversation, Cuban recalled an incident from the early days of his career at Comdex, a trade show in Las Vegas. During a night out at the event, Cuban said,

“I’m going to get us all a round of drinks,” but when he returned, he found the women he was with had left. Cuban later discovered they had joined Gates instead, stating, “Bill stole my girls.”

The story was part of a broader discussion on the podcast, where Cuban spoke about the experiences of billionaires, addressing societal perceptions, the role of luck in achieving success, and the management of extreme wealth. The conversation also touched on public scrutiny and how billionaires navigate their personal and professional lives.

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The night Bill Gates “stole” Mark Cuban’s companions

Mark Cuban’s story began at Comdex, a trade show in Las Vegas that brought together professionals from the tech industry. Cuban explained that the event provided opportunities for networking and socializing. One evening, he offered to get drinks for a group of women he was with. When he returned, he found they were no longer there.

Cuban later learned that the women had left with Bill Gates, who had apparently offered them “better drinks.” Reflecting on the incident, Mark Cuban said, Bill stole his girls. Logan Paul responded by saying,

“He doesn’t strike me as a lady killer,” Cuban replied, “That shows you how bad it was.”

During the discussion, Cuban talked about the dynamics among billionaires and how their personal lives are often misunderstood. He said,

“Most billionaires I’ve met are cool; they know they’re lucky. But some, they just want more and more, and that’s where it gets messed up.”

Mark Cuban also addressed the influence of public perceptions and how they shape the narrative around wealthy individuals.

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"Business is more competitive than sports" — Mark Cuban on the challenges of billionaire life

The conversation shifted to reflections on the realities of billionaire life, focusing on the challenges and perceptions surrounding extreme wealth. Cuban discussed how conspiracy theories often portray billionaires as elitists or link them to ideas like the "Illuminati." Cuban spoke about the competitive nature of business, comparing it to sports. He explained,

“Business is more competitive than sports because there’s always somebody out there trying to kick your ass.”

He shared that his wealth was built through a combination of luck and strategic decisions, including his management of Yahoo stock after selling Broadcast.com. Reflecting on his approach, he added,

“It’s not about how much more money I have; it’s about the competitive juices and making things better.”

As the discussion continued, Cuban talked about the impact of public scrutiny on his personal life and the importance of balancing professional and personal priorities. He highlighted that success requires a mix of hard work and timing, stating,

“To get to that next level, something has to be crazy. You can grind, but sometimes it’s about being at the right place at the right time.”

Mark Cuban concluded by noting that achieving success at the billionaire level requires a combination of "hard work, timing, and adaptability."

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Watch new episodes of Shark Tank, featuring mentors Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, and Robert Herjavec, now streaming on ABC.