Buddy Valastro, better known as the “Cake Boss,” is a fourth-generation baker, reality TV star, and entrepreneur who transformed his family’s bakery into a thriving culinary empire fueled by creativity, family, and TV fame.
Early Life & Education
Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro Jr. was born on March 3, 1977, in Hoboken, New Jersey, and raised in Little Ferry. Growing up, he was immersed in baking at Carlo’s Bakery, the family-run shop acquired by his father in 1964.
Buddy began working there at age 11 and, following his father’s death in 1994, took over the business at just 17. He also trained formally, attending Ridgefield Park High School and enrolling in baking courses at Bergen County Technical High School, Teterboro Campus.
Buddy Valastro’s Career
Buddy Valastro’s rise from family baker to global culinary icon is rooted in ingenuity, charisma, and business acumen. He took over Carlo’s Bakery, turning it from a humble local shop into a destination for elaborate custom cakes.
His creations captured media attention, and after winning a “Battle of the Brides” competition, Buddy pitched his life at the bakery as a reality TV show.
That concept became the hit Cake Boss in 2009, airing on TLC and running until 2020 with nine seasons and 247 episodes.
Valastro expanded his TV presence with numerous spin-offs: Next Great Baker, Kitchen Boss, Buddy’s Bakery Rescue (Bakery Boss), Buddy vs. Duff, Buddy vs. Christmas, and, more recently, A&E’s Cake Dynasty and Legends of the Fork. Kitchen Boss, for instance, featured him preparing family-style Italian-American dishes alongside relatives.
Beyond TV, Buddy has grown his brand footprint. He’s launched restaurants, Buddy V’s Ristorante, PizzaCake, The Boss Cafe, and Buddy V’s Events, and opened Carlo’s Bakery branches across multiple states and in Brazil.
Notably, he introduced high-tech cake ATMs in U.S. and Canadian locations, offering slices of cake through vending machines.
Valastro has also authored several bestselling cookbooks: Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia; Baking with the Cake Boss; Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss; and Family Celebrations with the Cake Boss.
In 2016 and 2018, he partnered with Whole Earth Sweetener Co. and The Pound Bakery (pet treats) and launched Buddy Valastro Foods for baking products.
More recently, he took on a special role: crafting the grand six-tier wedding cake for Hunter Fieri and Tara Bernstein. The nature-themed cake, featuring multiple flavors including a gluten- and dairy-free layer, traveled nearly 3,000 miles from New Jersey to California.
Personal Life
Buddy Valastro married Lisa Valastro in 2001, and the couple has four children: Sofia (born 2003), Buddy Jr. (2004), Marco (2007), and Carlo (2011).
He considers his family his proudest accomplishment and enjoys involving them in the business. His children all featured in Cake Dynasty. Their bond has been featured in interviews where the kids share humor and life stories, while Buddy emphasizes family over fame.
Net Worth
Buddy Valastro’s estimated net worth is around $10 million, drawn from his bakery empire, television earnings, book sales, and restaurant ventures. This reflects a solid blend of culinary artistry and entrepreneurial savvy.
