"Marriage creates equity" — When Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary talked about old-school marriage advice

Kevin O'Leary, who is popularly known for his appearance on the television show Shark Tank as "Mr. Wonderful," recently shared some insights on his opinions regarding the value of marriage. In a video uploaded to his Instagram page on December 28, 2024, O'Leary wrote,

"Marriage creates equity—it’s worth fighting for."

The Shark Tank investor shared his opinion on how marriage is a commitment that makes it easier to build a foundation together and then work through challenges.

In this video on Instagram, O'Leary discussed why moving in together without marriage was less effective in bringing forth long-term commitment. In making these remarks, O'Leary pointed out that marriage and cohabitation differed in nature, and how their differences were related to differences in relationship stability.

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The value of marriage: Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary's perspective

Kevin O'Leary on the importance of formalizing relationships

In the Instagram video, O'Leary underscored the need to formalize relationships through marriage rather than opting for cohabitation. He began his message with a direct piece of advice:

"Don’t move in with somebody. Never, never do that."

He explained that moving in without marriage often lacks the structure needed to withstand challenges, which he argued could lead to the relationship dissolving after the first major conflict.

"If you’re really gonna get married, make it official, go old school, and then start your lives together," O'Leary elaborated.

The Shark Tank investor highlighted that marriage, unlike cohabitation, provides a framework that encourages couples to work through difficulties rather than give up when conflicts arise.

"It’s too easy to move in with somebody; it doesn’t work out your first fight, you both leave. How stupid is that?" he explained.

By urging individuals to consider the permanence of marriage, O'Leary emphasized its potential to create a deeper level of commitment and a shared sense of purpose. He explained that marriage involves building something together and working through challenges, "fight(ing) for it", even during conflicts.

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The concept of marriage as equity

O'Leary explained his perspective on marriage as a form of "equity," a term commonly associated with financial and business investments. He used this analogy to highlight how marriage involves both partners contributing to and benefiting from the relationship.

"If you’re married, you’ve got something, you’ve got equity, you’ve gotta try and maintain," he stated.

He emphasized that this shared equity is what motivates couples to work through challenges rather than part ways. This analogy draws attention to the investments— emotional, financial, and practical— that individuals make in a marriage. O'Leary underscored that these investments create a foundation of shared value that strengthens the partnership over time.

The Shark Tank investor described marriage as a structure that requires effort and perseverance to maintain, but yields long-term rewards when nurtured effectively.

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Identifying the right partner for marriage

In the video, the Shark Tank investor briefly addressed the process of choosing the right partner for marriage.

"Who’s the right person for you? You’ll know, you’ll figure it out," he said.

O'Leary also emphasized the importance of genuine commitment in relationships, stating that real commitment is what endures. He added that individuals will recognize when they’ve found the right person. He wrote on his Instagram post,

"Real commitment is what lasts. Trust me, you’ll know when it’s right."

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