David Copperfield Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Illusionist Who Crafted a Billion-Dollar Magic Kingdom

David Copperfield — born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956 — stands not only as the preeminent stage magician of his era but also as a testament to how artistry, ambition, and business acumen can combine to build a fortune. His birthday on September 16 remains a milestone for fans and magicians alike, marking the birth of someone who would reshape the world’s expectations of what magic could achieve. 

From a Shy Kid in New Jersey to “The Man Who Made the Statue Disappear”

Growing up in Metuchen, New Jersey, Copperfield was an only child. His father ran a men’s clothing store, and his mother worked in insurance — modest beginnings, hardly a prelude to global stardom. But even as a child, he found magic to be a refuge. By age 10 he billed himself as “Davino the Boy Magician,” and two years later he became the youngest member ever accepted by the Society of American Magicians. 

Those early years of solitary practice and daring ambition set the stage for his breakout illusions — from levitating over the Grand Canyon to, perhaps most famously, making the Statue of Liberty "disappear" before a live audience. Moments like that transformed Copperfield’s shows into global spectacles and turned his name into legend. 

His brand of magic — theatrical, storytelling, grand in scale — made him arguably the most commercially successful illusionist in history, blending showmanship with spectacle in a way few before or since have matched. 

The Hidden Fortune Behind the Wand

The magic didn’t just dazzle audiences — it created wealth. Multiple sources estimate Copperfield’s net worth at around US$1 billion.

That fortune stems from more than live shows. He has commanded extremely lucrative performance contracts (with some sources putting his annual earnings between US$40–60 million), performed hundreds of shows yearly at venues such as MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, and invested wisely in real estate. Among his most talked-about assets are the 11 private islands he owns in the Bahamas — collectively known as Musha Cay / Copperfield Bay — as well as luxury homes in Las Vegas and Manhattan. 

In addition, Copperfield has assembled one of the world’s largest magic memorabilia collections — estimated by some reports to be worth hundreds of millions — further contributing to a substantial portion of his wealth. 

His financial success proves that for him, magic has always been more than illusions — it’s been a serious business.

Love, Public Attention, and Private Life Behind the Curtain

Copperfield’s personal life attracted as much interest as his grand illusions. In the mid-1990s, he was engaged to Claudia Schiffer, the German supermodel. Their relationship — and Schiffer’s occasional role as his on-stage assistant — generated considerable media buzz. They parted ways in 1999, citing conflicting schedules. 

Years later, Copperfield began a long-term relationship with French model-turned-designer Chloé Gosselin. The pair reportedly remain together. 

Despite fame, fortune, and repeated headlines, Copperfield has tended to keep his private life — beyond these relationships — quietly out of the spotlight.

Beyond Magic: Legacy, Influence, and an Ongoing Mystique

For decades, Copperfield has blurred the lines between illusion and reality. His television specials have earned multiple awards and made magic accessible to millions; his live shows redefined what stage performances could be; his business moves showed entertainers could build real estates empires.

In a world where many entertainers fade after a decade or two, Copperfield's career — starting in childhood — spans more than five decades, a rare feat of longevity. 

Moreover, his approach transformed magic from a niche entertainment form into global spectacle — influencing countless magicians and reshaping expectations for live illusions.

Why David Copperfield Continues to Captivate

David Copperfield’s story isn’t just one of fame and fortune. It’s a tale of transformation — from a shy New Jersey boy using magic to cope with insecurity, to a master illusionist whose shows left audiences around the world in awe. His birthdate and birthday are more than biographical facts: they mark the beginning of a journey few could imagine.

Behind the illusions, behind the lights, he built an empire — but also left an enduring legacy: that magic can be grand, magical can be strategic, and dreams, if pursued relentlessly, can yield real-world success.