I shoplifted pizzas and pretended to live elsewhere – now I’m worth over £71m, says Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett

STEVEN Bartlett has revealed he used to shoplift pizzas to survive, and pretend he lived elsewhere.

The Dragons Den star is now worth over £71m after launching his successful podcast, The Diary of a CEO, and creating a business empire.

The Mancunian runs several companies and has also published a book called Happy Sexy Millionaire: Unexpected Truths about Fulfilment, Love and Success.

But before his success, Bartlett came from a struggling family and found it hard to navigate his way.

Botswana-born Bartlett moved to the UK aged two.

He grew up in Plymouth where his parents had little money and often argued.

The entrepreneur previously told how he faced racism at school – finding it hard to settle in.

Bartlett has now revealed that he was so ashamed of the street he lived on as a kid, that he lied about living elsewhere.

He told : “But generally – when I was shoplifting pizzas to survive – I tried to see hardship as a stepping stone rather than a final destination to stop myself getting depressed.

“I’m the same guy I was at 18. What I’ve learnt is it’s all about the pursuit. Number one: surround yourself with people you like. Number two: be challenged. Number three: have a sense of forward motion – [British cycling coach] Sir Dave Brailsford taught me that. 

“You might only be making marginal gains but the feeling you’re going forward is important. Four is autonomy and control, which I’ve always had.”

Lastly, he said you need a “subjectively meaningful goal”, adding that he knows nothing he does now will change his level of happiness.

Bartlett said he is now able to buy his parents a car when they want one and also pays for their home.

His older brother Jason also quit his job as a banker to oversee the younger’s investment portfolio.

Sara Davies, who is a popular dragon on the hit show, has also previously revealed before she made the big bucks money was tight.

Her company now turns over £34 million a year and in 2016 she was recognised for services to the economy with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

But Davies revealed that her family was too poor to afford to go on holiday abroad.