Pawn Stars Patriarch Rick Harrison Faces Heartbreaking Personal Tragedy – The Dark Side of a Las Vegas Empire

Rick Harrison, the legendary co-founder of the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop and beloved star of Pawn Stars, has spent decades in the public eye, guiding millions of viewers through the fascinating world of historical treasures, rare collectibles, and high-stakes negotiation.

Known for his sharp wit, deep knowledge of history, and no-nonsense approach to business, Rick has become a fixture in American pop culture, with fans admiring him not only for his professional achievements but also for the family-centered values he embodies.

But behind the bright lights of Las Vegas and the glittering coins and memorabilia lies a story that few knew—a story of heartbreak, legal battles, family strife, and unimaginable personal loss.

Rick’s journey has not been easy.

While his career flourished, his personal life faced challenges that would test him in ways that even reality television could not capture.

Early Life and Family Struggles

Richard Kevin Harrison, known to the world as Rick Harrison, was born on March 22, 1965, to Richard Benjamin Harrison Sr.

, affectionately known as “The Old Man,” and Joanne Rue Harrison.

Rick was the third of four children, with siblings Sherry, Joseph, and Chris.

His early life was marked by both love and tragedy.

The Harrison family lived in Lexington, North Carolina, where their father served in the U.S.Navy.Richard Sr.’s long absences, necessary to provide for the family, often left a vacuum at home that Rick and his siblings had to navigate at a young age.

One of the most painful early experiences for the Harrisons was the death of Rick’s older sister, Sherry, who was born with Down Syndrome and passed away at just six years old.

The loss devastated the family, leaving an indelible mark on Rick and shaping his understanding of hardship from a very young age.

Rick’s father often reflected on Sherry, saying she had been “the light of my life,” and Rick, though only a year old at her passing, grew up in a household deeply shaped by grief.

When Rick was two, the family relocated to San Diego, California, due to his father’s military transfer.

Childhood was far from easy.

At age eight, Rick began suffering from epileptic seizures, often confined to bed for long periods.

During these episodes, he developed a passion for reading, particularly adventure stories and books on history, physics, and the Royal Navy of the 18th and 19th centuries.

These formative experiences fostered his curiosity and business acumen, which would later become critical in building his empire.

From Teenage Entrepreneur to Pawn Shop Mogul

Rick’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early.

He dropped out of high school to focus on making money, selling counterfeit Gucci bags and earning as much as $22,000 a week—a remarkable feat for a teenager.

In April 1981, the Harrison family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, after a failed real estate venture.

There, Rick’s father opened a modest 300-square-foot shop on Las Vegas Boulevard South, selling secondhand gold and silver coins.

Rick, only 17 at the time, immersed himself in the business, learning the trade from his father and gaining a reputation for his knowledge and charm.

Rick’s personal life during these years was marked by early love and loss.

His girlfriend Kim became pregnant, but tragically, the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.

Despite the heartbreak, Rick and Kim married and had their first child, Corey, in 1983, followed by a second son, Adam.

However, Rick and Kim eventually parted ways, leaving Rick to navigate the challenges of fatherhood and entrepreneurship simultaneously.

Rick soon met Tracy on a blind double date, and after a whirlwind romance, they married and committed to raising Corey and Adam together.

By the age of 23, Rick had become a partner in his father’s business, using his knowledge of history and physics to enhance the shop’s appeal to customers.

He would tell compelling stories about coins and memorabilia, transforming the shopping experience into an educational adventure.

The business thrived, with Rick even repossessing cars at night to support the family.

Over the next several years, the shop moved to a larger location on Fremont Street, and eventually transitioned into a full pawn shop.

Despite legal restrictions in Las Vegas on pawn licenses, Rick and his father carefully navigated the system, ultimately opening the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in 1989.

Their shop was strategically located just under two miles from the Las Vegas Strip and became a hub for rare sports memorabilia, historical items, and jewelry.

Rise to Stardom: Pawn Stars Hits the Airwaves

The shop’s growing reputation eventually attracted the attention of television producers Brent Montgomery and Colby Gaines of Leftfield Pictures.

Fascinated by the unique stories and characters in pawn shops, they approached Rick about featuring the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in a TV series.

Initially rejected by HBO, the project was revised and picked up by the History Channel, ultimately becoming Pawn Stars.

The show quickly captured the public’s imagination, showcasing not only rare items but also the dynamic family interactions between Rick, Corey, Chumlee, and The Old Man.

Pawn Stars became a top-rated reality show, turning Rick into a household name and elevating the shop to national fame.

Fans loved Rick’s mix of expertise, humor, and fatherly guidance, making him the iconic face of the series.

By 2011, Rick expanded his influence further by releasing his book, License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold and Silver, which reached number 22 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Yet, despite professional success, Rick faced significant personal challenges, including a divorce from his second wife Tracy.

He later remarried Deanna Burden and embraced life as a stepfather to her three daughters.

Tragedy Strikes: Losses in the Harrison Family

Rick’s journey has been punctuated by heartbreaking personal losses.

In June 2018, the Harrison family lost Richard Benjamin Harrison Sr.

, the beloved “Old Man,” to Parkinson’s disease.

Rick shared the news publicly, posting a heartfelt tribute on Instagram that captured both his grief and admiration for his father’s wisdom, humor, and dedication.

The loss left Rick to shoulder the responsibilities of the family business and the care of loved ones alone.

Compounding these difficulties, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the pawn shop’s business.

Despite initial optimism, the shop’s revenue fell dramatically, forcing Rick to make difficult financial decisions while maintaining his commitment to helping customers during tough times.

In 2020, Rick also navigated a high-profile legal battle with his mother, Joanne Rue Harrison, over family assets and ownership stakes in the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.

Joanne, who had inherited 49% of the shop, filed a civil lawsuit accusing Rick of improperly handling her interests.

The legal conflict strained family relationships and added another layer of public scrutiny to Rick’s already challenging life.

Then, in 2024, Rick suffered the most devastating blow of all: the death of his son Adam at age 39 due to an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Rick announced Adam’s passing with a heartfelt Instagram post, expressing profound grief and urging awareness about the opioid crisis.

Adam’s death, combined with previous personal losses, legal challenges, and the pressures of running a major business, marked an emotional low point in Rick’s life, one that left him grappling with grief and responsibility simultaneously.

Personal Life and Moving Forward

Despite these setbacks, Rick has continued to demonstrate resilience.

He found love again with Angie Pushkin, a nurse from Las Vegas, and the couple has shared joyful experiences traveling and spending quality time together.

Rick has also remained active in politics, supporting candidates such as Donald Trump and considering potential runs for office in Nevada.

These pursuits reflect Rick’s determination to remain engaged, productive, and optimistic despite past hardships.

Today, Rick has shifted to a semi-retirement mode, focusing on Pawn Stars Do America and spending more time with family and loved ones.

He maintains strong relationships with his stepdaughters and son Corey, embracing a slower, more balanced lifestyle while continuing to build his legacy both in business and in life lessons for fans around the world.

Legacy of Perseverance and Strength

Rick Harrison’s life is a testament to resilience in the face of relentless challenges.

From early childhood illness and family tragedy to legal battles, business struggles, and the devastating loss of a child, Rick has continually faced adversity with determination, integrity, and a focus on family.

His journey shows that even those who appear successful and invincible in the public eye can endure profound personal hardships, yet still find ways to move forward.

Through it all, Rick remains an emblem of perseverance.

He has transformed personal loss into lessons of strength and resilience, using his experiences to connect with fans and inspire others who may face similar trials.

Whether navigating the complexities of family, running a multimillion-dollar business, or finding love and happiness in later years, Rick Harrison continues to show that the human spirit can endure even the most heart-wrenching challenges.

In conclusion, Rick Harrison’s story is not just one of business success or television fame.

It is the story of a man who has faced tragedy, heartbreak, and adversity, yet continues to persevere with courage and optimism.

The highs and lows of Rick’s life remind fans that behind the laughter and drama of reality television lies a deeply human journey—a journey of loss, love, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of happiness.