Dave Hester is a famous American reality TV star, auctioneer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his role as one of the main buyers on the hit A&E show “Storage Wars”, where he bids on abandoned storage lockers in hopes of finding valuable items. He is also notorious for his loud and aggressive bidding style, often shouting “YUUUP!” to annoy his rivals and secure the best deals.
But who is Dave behind the cameras? How did he become a successful bidder and businessman? What are some of the challenges and controversies he faced in his career and personal life? And what is he doing now, after leaving the show?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we explore the wiki, age, wife, kids, net worth, career, parents, height, and interesting facts about Hester, the star of “Storage Wars”.
Early Life and Family
Dave was born on July 23, 1964, in Northern California, United States. He is the son of Hester Sr., a former military man and a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and a mother whose name is unknown. He has a brother named Steve Hester, who is also an auctioneer.
Dave grew up in a family of collectors and sellers. His parents often bought and sold antiques, furniture, and other items at auctions and flea markets. Dave learned the ropes of the business from a young age, helping his parents with their inventory and sales. He also developed a passion for auctioneering, attending his first self-storage auction at the age of 14.
Education
Dave attended Newport Harbor High School, where he played football and baseball. He graduated in 1982 and decided to pursue a career in the auction industry.
He worked as a bid catcher, a person who assists the auctioneer by spotting and acknowledging bids from the crowd. He also started buying and selling his merchandise, specializing in furniture, electronics, and household goods.
Career
Dave Hester’s career took off in 1986, when he attended a self-storage auction and bought several units. He was impressed by the profit he made from reselling the items he found inside. He decided to focus on this niche market and became a professional storage unit buyer. He also obtained his auctioneer license and founded his own company, Dave Auctioneer, in 1992.
Dave Hester became a well-known figure in the auction scene, earning the nickname “The Mogul” for his savvy and ruthless business tactics. He also gained a reputation for being a troublemaker, often getting into arguments and fights with other bidders and storage facility owners. He was arrested several times for various offenses, including driving under the influence, assault, and theft.
Dave Hester Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dave Hester |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | July 23, 1964 |
| Birth Place | Northern California, United States |
| Occupation | Reality TV star, auctioneer, entrepreneur |
| Net Worth | $4 million |
| Spouse | Donna Hester |
| Children | Dave Hester Jr. |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | 80 kg (approx.) |
| Catchphrase | “YUUUP!” |
| davethemogul | |
| Homepage | newsinbollywood.com |
Appearance in Storage Wars
In 2010, Dave was cast as one of the original buyers on the new A&E reality show “Storage Wars”. The show follows a group of professional bidders as they compete for abandoned storage lockers across California. Dave quickly became a fan favorite and a villain, thanks to his loud and obnoxious personality, his catchphrase “YUUUP!”, and his frequent clashes with his co-stars, especially Darrell Sheets and Jarrod Schulz.
Dave Hester appeared on the show from season 1 to season 3, earning $25,000 per episode. He also made money from selling the items he won on the show, as well as from his own consignment store, Rags to Riches, which he opened in 2011. However, in 2012, Hester was fired from the show after he filed a lawsuit against A&E and Original Productions, the producers of the show.
Dave Hester claimed that the show was rigged and that the producers planted valuable items in the lockers to create drama and suspense. He also accused them of paying for some of the lockers for certain cast members, giving them an unfair advantage. He sued for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and unfair business practices, seeking $750,000 in damages.
The lawsuit was settled in 2014, after a lengthy and costly legal battle. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Dave returned to the show for season 5. He continued to appear on the show until season 12, which aired in 2019. He has not been seen on the show since then, and it is unclear if he will return for future seasons.
Net Worth
Hester’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million, as of 2021. He makes his money from his auctioneering business, his consignment store, his appearances on “Storage Wars”, and his endorsements and sponsorships. He also sells his merchandise, such as T-shirts, hats, and mugs, featuring his signature “YUUUP!” logo.
Controversies
Dave has been involved in several controversies throughout his career and personal life. Some of the most notable ones are:
- In 2012, he filed a lawsuit against A&E and Original Productions, the producers of “Storage Wars”, claiming that the show was rigged and that he was wrongfully terminated. He alleged that the producers planted valuable items in the lockers, paid for some of the lockers for certain cast members, and manipulated the bidding process. He sought $750,000 in damages, but the case was settled in 2014, with undisclosed terms. He returned to the show for season 5, but his relationship with his co-stars and the network remained strained.
- In 2013, he was sued by his former employer, Nabila Haniss, a fellow bidder on “Storage Wars”, for defamation and slander. She accused him of making false and malicious statements about her on his website and social media, such as calling her a thief, a liar, and a fraud. She demanded $2.5 million in damages, but the case was dismissed in 2015 after both parties agreed to drop their claims.
- In 2015, he was arrested for driving under the influence, after he crashed his car into a fence in Costa Mesa, California. He was charged with misdemeanor DUI and hit-and-run, and faced up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years of probation, 30 days of community service, and a nine-month alcohol program.
- In 2017, he was involved in a physical altercation with his co-star Dan Dotson, another auctioneer on “Storage Wars”, during a taping of the show. The fight broke out after Hester accused Dan Dotson of missing a bid, and the two exchanged insults and punches. The crew had to intervene and separate them, and the police were called to the scene. No charges were filed, but the incident was caught on camera and aired on the show.
Personal Life and Health Issues
Dave is married to Donna Hester, a former nurse. The couple tied the knot in 2005, after dating for several years. They have one son, Dave Hester Jr., who was born in 1996. Hester Jr. is also involved in the auction business and has appeared on “Storage Wars” with his father.
Dave Hester lives in Costa Mesa, California, with his family. He is an avid sports fan and supports the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Rams. He also enjoys fishing, golfing, and traveling.
Dave has faced some health issues in recent years. In 2014, he suffered a mild stroke, which affected his speech and mobility. He underwent surgery and physical therapy and made a full recovery. He also suffers from sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing interruptions during sleep. He uses a CPAP machine to help him breathe better at night.
