Dr. Forbes Riley Net Worth 2026

Dr. Forbes Riley is an award-winning television personality, entrepreneur, author, and fitness expert with an estimated net worth of $3 million as of 2026. Known as the “Queen of Pitch,” Riley has generated over $2.5 billion in product sales through her legendary infomercial career spanning more than 140 national commercials. Born Francine K. Forbes on April 25, 1960, she transformed herself from an overweight actress into a fitness icon, National Fitness Hall of Fame inductee, and successful businesswoman who invented the revolutionary SpinGym fitness device.

Net Worth Summary

Estimated Net Worth (2026): $3 million

Primary Income: Infomercials, SpinGym sales, speaking engagements

Other Sources: TV hosting, acting, coaching programs, book sales

Years Active: 1982–present (44+ years)

Age: 65 years old (born April 25, 1960)

Residence: St. Petersburg, Florida & Los Angeles, California

Total Product Sales Generated: Over $2.5 billion

Financial Figures at a Glance

How Did Dr. Forbes Riley Make Money?

Infomercial Empire ($2.5 Billion in Sales)

Forbes Riley became the undisputed “Queen of Pitch” by hosting over 140 national infomercials that generated more than $2.5 billion in cumulative product sales. Her most famous partnership was with fitness legend Jack LaLanne, promoting the Power Juicer for eight years across 80 countries. She also promoted products including the Montel Williams HealthMaster Blender, Aerobed, MaxiGlide, and countless other home shopping products. Riley earns through upfront hosting fees, ongoing royalties from product sales, and performance-based commissions that continue generating passive income years after the infomercials air.

SpinGym Fitness Empire (1 Million+ Units Sold)

In 2008, Riley invented the SpinGym, a portable fitness device designed for busy people who want effective workouts anywhere. Despite initial skepticism when she pitched it on Discovery’s “PitchMen,” SpinGym became a massive success, selling over 1 million units worldwide. In one legendary 24-hour period on HSN (Home Shopping Network), SpinGym generated $1.5 million in sales. Riley owns 100% of the SpinGym company, making her the sole beneficiary of all profits from direct sales, home shopping appearances, and international distribution.

Television Hosting & Acting Career

Before her infomercial fame, Riley built a successful career as a TV host and actress. She hosted ESPN’s X-Games, TLC’s daily talk show “Essentials,” and WEtv’s “Forbes Living” (described as a talk show version of Shark Tank). She appeared on networks including ABC-Family, FIT-TV (which sold to Fox for $500 million), Animal Planet, and acted in popular TV series including Fox’s “24,” “The Practice,” “Boy Meets World,” and “Fashion House.” These roles provided steady income and built her on-camera credibility.

Speaking Engagements & Coaching Programs

As a highly sought-after motivational keynote speaker, Riley commands premium fees for corporate events, women’s conferences, and entrepreneurial seminars. She founded the Million Dollar Pitch Academy, teaching entrepreneurs and business professionals how to sell with confidence and authenticity. Her signature coaching philosophy “Dream It. Believe It. Achieve It.” has helped thousands achieve personal and professional breakthroughs. Through Forbes Riley Studios, her full-service media production company, she mentors inventors, executives, and innovators.

Book Sales & Intellectual Property

Riley is a bestselling author, with her most recent book “Pitch Secrets A to Z” revealing 26 strategies for mastering persuasion and influence. She holds a U.S. patent on SpinGym exercises, combining her 30 years of training in martial arts (TaeKwon Do, Aikido, Wing Chun), yoga, Pilates, and Broadway dance. As a licensed massage therapist, certified NLP Master, licensed hypnotist, and brown belt in TaeKwon Do, Riley monetizes her extensive expertise through multiple revenue streams.

Career Highlights & Achievements

Personal Life & Family

Born Francine K. Forbes on April 25, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, Forbes Riley grew up on Long Island where her father, an inventor, instilled in her a spirit of innovation and perseverance. At 16, she won Miss Teenage New York and made her television debut alongside Bob Hope on NBC. She skipped a grade in high school and graduated from the University of Rochester in just three years with dual degrees in Political Science and Film Studies.

Forbes is married to Tom Riley, a former Notre Dame football player. The couple has two children: a son named Ryker and a daughter named Makenna. Makenna has followed in her mother’s entrepreneurial footsteps, becoming an award-winning digital marketer who became a millionaire CEO by age 17. Makenna co-founded Forbes Riley Media with her mother, exemplifying the family’s multi-generational business acumen.

The Riley family divides their time between homes in Los Angeles, California, and St. Petersburg, Florida, where Forbes runs her TV production studio and coaches inventors and entrepreneurs. Forbes actively supports charitable organizations including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Wounded Warriors, Dress for Success, and the SPCA, often incorporating charitable giving into her SpinGym business ventures.

Education & Professional Certifications

Forbes Riley holds an impressive array of professional certifications that contribute to her multifaceted career:

• Personal Fitness Trainer (IFTA, AFFA certified)

• Licensed Massage Therapist

• Licensed Hypnotist

• Certified NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Master

• Brown Belt in TaeKwon Do (also trained in Aikido and Wing Chun)

• Professional Broadway dancer (trained under Bob Fosse, Luigi, Frank Hatchett)

• Dual Bachelor’s Degrees: Political Science & Film Studies (University of Rochester)

The SpinGym Success Story

Forbes Riley’s greatest entrepreneurial achievement is undoubtedly the creation of SpinGym. Born from her own struggles as an overweight actress and busy working mother of twins, Riley invented a portable fitness device that could deliver effective workouts anywhere, anytime. In 2008, she leveraged everything she had to invest in her invention, despite facing skepticism from industry experts.

When Riley pitched SpinGym on Discovery’s “PitchMen,” she was told it would never work and she was wasting her time. Undeterred, she pressed forward with unwavering determination. Within three years, SpinGym had sold over 600,000 units. Today, that number exceeds 1 million units sold worldwide. The device became a favorite among celebrities seeking red-carpet-ready arms, professional athletes, office workers, pilots, and fitness enthusiasts globally.

Riley’s breakthrough moment came when SpinGym generated $1.5 million in sales in just 24 hours on the Home Shopping Network. The compact device, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, retails for $29.99 to $49.99 USD and combines the inertia properties of a spinning wheel with Riley’s 30 years of martial arts and dance training to create a unique exercise system. Riley holds a U.S. patent on the SpinGym exercises, which blend TaeKwon Do, Aikido, Wing Chun, yoga, Pilates, and Broadway dance techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dr. Forbes Riley’s net worth in 2026?

Dr. Forbes Riley’s net worth is estimated at $3 million as of 2026. This wealth comes from her infomercial career generating $2.5 billion in product sales, SpinGym invention and sales (1 million+ units), TV hosting, speaking engagements, and coaching programs.

How did Forbes Riley make her money?

Forbes Riley earned her fortune primarily through hosting 140+ national infomercials (including the legendary Jack LaLanne Power Juicer), inventing and selling over 1 million SpinGym units, 25+ years on HSN and QVC, television hosting (ESPN, TLC, WEtv), motivational speaking, coaching programs, and her Million Dollar Pitch Academy.

What is SpinGym and how successful is it?

SpinGym is a portable fitness device invented by Forbes Riley in 2008 that has sold over 1 million units worldwide. In one record-breaking day on HSN, it generated $1.5 million in sales in 24 hours. The device retails for $29.99-$49.99 and is patented by Riley, who owns 100% of the company.

Is Forbes Riley a real doctor?

Forbes Riley uses the honorific “Dr.” as a professional title, though her educational background includes dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Film Studies from the University of Rochester. She holds professional certifications as a fitness trainer, massage therapist, hypnotist, and NLP Master, earning recognition as a fitness and wellness expert.

How old is Forbes Riley?

Forbes Riley was born on April 25, 1960, making her 65 years old as of 2026. She continues to actively run her businesses, host infomercials, and deliver motivational speeches worldwide.

Who is Forbes Riley’s daughter?

Forbes Riley’s daughter is Makenna Riley, an award-winning digital marketer who became a millionaire CEO by age 17. Makenna co-founded Forbes Riley Media with her mother and exemplifies the family’s entrepreneurial legacy.

What products has Forbes Riley promoted?

Forbes Riley has promoted hundreds of products including Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer, Montel Williams HealthMaster Blender, Aerobed, MaxiGlide hair straightener, Microgrill, Mor Furniture Stores, and her own invention, SpinGym. She has generated over $2.5 billion in total product sales.

Disclaimer

All net worth figures, financial information, and career statistics are estimates based on publicly available information from credible sources including Celebrity Net Worth, industry publications, and verified media reports. Private financial details, exact earnings from individual ventures, and personal investment portfolios have not been publicly disclosed by Forbes Riley or her representatives. Product sales figures represent cumulative industry estimates based on infomercial performance and home shopping network data. This article is intended for informational purposes and represents the best available information as of February 2026.