Ross Ulbricht Bio: Wife, Net Worth, Pardon, Age, Parents, Bitcoin, Twitter, Laptop, Family

Biography

Ross William Ulbricht, born on March 27, 1984, in Austin, Texas, is best known for founding and running the Silk Road, an online black market that operated on the dark web from 2011 to 2013.

Ulbricht earned a degree in physics from the University of Texas at Dallas and later obtained a master’s degree in materials science and engineering from Pennsylvania State University. His interest in libertarianism and free markets led him to create Silk Road, a platform where users could anonymously buy and sell goods, including illegal drugs, using Bitcoin.

Operating under the pseudonym “Dread Pirate Roberts,” Ulbricht was arrested by the FBI in October 2013. In 2015, he was convicted on charges of narcotics trafficking, hacking conspiracy, and money laundering, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

After serving more than a decade in prison, Ulbricht was granted a full and unconditional pardon by U.S. President Donald Trump on January 21, 2025, and was subsequently released.

Description:	American enterpriser
Ross Ulbricht
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Ross William Ulbricht
Stage Name:	Ross Ulbricht, Dread Pirate Roberts
Born:	27 March 1984 (age 40 years old)
Place of Birth:	Austin, Texas, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	West Ridge Middle School, Westlake High School, University of Texas at Dallas, Pennsylvania State University
Height:	180 cm
Parents:	Lyn Ulbricht, Kirk Ulbricht
Siblings:	Cally Ulbricht, Travis Ulbricht
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Julia Vie (rum.), Jessica (rum.), Chey (rum.)
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Enterpriser • Businessman
Net Worth:	$28.5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Ross William Ulbricht was born on March 27, 1984, in Austin, Texas, USA. He is of German and Scottish descent and was raised in a Christian household, though his personal religious beliefs later in life are less documented. His father, Lyn Ulbricht, worked in various fields, including as a teacher, counselor, and in real estate, while his mother, Susan Ulbricht, was a librarian. Ross has a younger sister named Cally Ulbricht and a brother named Travis Ulbricht.

For education, Ulbricht graduated from West Ridge Middle School and then from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Dallas, earning a bachelor’s degree in physics in 2006. He pursued further studies at Pennsylvania State University, completing his master’s degree in materials science and engineering in 2009.

Ulbricht showed an interest in science, technology, and economics during his early life, which later influenced his path toward entrepreneurship and the creation of the Silk Road. He was also known for his libertarian views, shaped during his college years, when he was involved in various economic discussions and the study of Austrian economics.

Career

Ross William Ulbricht‘s career is most prominently defined by his creation and operation of Silk Road, an online marketplace on the dark web. After earning a master’s degree in materials science and engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 2009, Ulbricht explored several entrepreneurial ventures.

He started Good Wagon Books, an online used bookselling business that failed to gain traction. He also dabbled in day trading, though this proved financially unsuccessful. His background in science and technology, paired with his libertarian ideals, eventually inspired him to develop the concept of the Silk Road.

In January 2011, Ulbricht launched Silk Road, a hidden marketplace accessible only through the Tor network, where users could anonymously buy and sell goods—primarily drugs—using Bitcoin. The platform was designed to operate outside traditional legal oversight, championing a philosophy of free trade and personal liberty. Operating under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” Ulbricht managed all aspects of Silk Road, from technical operations to hiring staff. By the time of his arrest in October 2013, Silk Road had facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions, with Ulbricht personally earning over $13 million in commissions.

Ulbricht’s role in Silk Road led to his arrest by the FBI in a San Francisco public library. He faced multiple charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking. In 2015, following a trial in Manhattan federal court, he was convicted on all seven charges and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 40 years. His conviction also included charges related to soliciting murders-for-hire, though no such murders were carried out.

During his time in prison, Ulbricht, supported by his mother Lyn Ulbricht and others, began a campaign for his release. His case gained significant attention within libertarian and cryptocurrency circles, leading to petitions, social media activism under hashtags like #FreeRoss, and legal challenges. Despite these efforts, his conviction and sentence were upheld by appeals.

On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump granted Ulbricht a full and unconditional pardon, citing his commitment to the Libertarian movement and criticism of government overreach. Ulbricht was released from prison, marking the end of his more than a decade-long incarceration.

Personal Life

Ross William Ulbricht has not been married and there is no public record of a wife or children. His personal life, particularly regarding long-term romantic relationships, has been kept largely private, especially following his arrest and imprisonment. He stands at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall.

Ulbricht’s most notable romantic relationship was with Julia Vie, whom he met while he was a graduate student at Pennsylvania State University, and she was a freshman. They quickly developed a close bond, and Julia moved with Ross to Austin, Texas, after his graduation, leaving her studies behind.

Their relationship was intense, but they faced challenges, including breakups and reconciliations. Julia started a photography studio called Vivian’s Muse, while Ross worked on Silk Road. Their relationship ended before his arrest, though Julia has publicly spoken about their time together, describing Ross as intelligent and non-violent but not street-smart.

There are occasional mentions of other relationships, including one with a woman named Jessica during his time in Australia, but details are minimal. Ulbricht was known for being private about his relationships, especially after his intense experiences with Julia, which he discussed in a personal video shared online before his arrest.

Following his imprisonment, Ulbricht‘s personal life, including any potential new romantic relationships, remained out of the public eye until his release in January 2025. There have been mentions of a connection with someone named Chey, whom he met through social media activism for his release, but details about this relationship after his release are not extensively documented.

Net Worth

Ross William Ulbricht‘s net worth has been a topic of significant discussion, primarily due to his involvement with the Silk Road. At the time of his arrest in October 2013, Ulbricht had amassed around 144,000 bitcoins, which were valued at approximately $28.5 million based on the Bitcoin price at that time. However, since Bitcoin’s value has dramatically increased over the years if he had retained those bitcoins, they would be worth billions today.

Upon his arrest, the FBI seized these bitcoins, which were later auctioned off for $48.2 million. Ulbricht was also ordered to pay restitution of $183 million, which was settled with additional seized bitcoins from a hacker in 2021, worth billions at current rates.

Despite this, Ulbricht‘s net worth at the time of his pardon and release in January 2025 is complex to estimate. Some reports suggest Ulbricht might have had access to other, smaller Bitcoin wallets not seized by the government, potentially adding millions to his net worth. Nonetheless, legal outcomes and asset seizures have significantly impacted his financial status.