History of Jordan Belfort in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 13, 2025

Jordan Belfort is a former stockbroker notorious for his involvement in a penny-stock scam and stock-market manipulation through his firm, Stratton Oakmont. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to fraud and related crimes. To reduce his sentence, he became an FBI informant, providing testimony against his associates. Belfort served 22 months in prison. He later authored the memoir "The Wolf of Wall Street" in 2007, detailing his experiences, which was subsequently adapted into a film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1904: Birth of Grandfather

In 1904, Jack Belfort, Jordan Belfort's paternal grandfather, was born.

1961: Construction of the Yacht Nadine

In 1961, the luxury yacht Nadine was originally built for Coco Chanel.

July 9, 1962: Jordan Belfort's Birth

On July 9, 1962, Jordan Belfort was born. He later became a stockbroker and financial criminal.

1962: Birth in the Bronx

In 1962, Jordan Belfort was born in the Bronx, New York City, to Jewish parents Maxwell and Leah Belfort.

1970: Death of Grandfather

In 1970, Jack Belfort, Jordan Belfort's paternal grandfather, died.

1985: Marriage to Denise Lombardo

In 1985, Jordan Belfort married his first wife, Denise Lombardo.

1987: Layoff from L.F. Rothschild

In 1987, Jordan Belfort was laid off from L.F. Rothschild after the firm experienced financial difficulties due to the Black Monday stock market crash.

1989: Scrutiny from NASD

From 1989 onward, Stratton Oakmont was under near-constant scrutiny from the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).

1992: Donation to Al D'Amato's Campaign

In 1992, Jordan Belfort donated $2,000 to Al D'Amato's reelection campaign in the United States Senate election in New York.

June 1996: Sinking of the Yacht Nadine

In June 1996, the luxury yacht Nadine, owned by Jordan Belfort, sank off the east coast of Sardinia.

December 1996: Expulsion of Stratton Oakmont

In December 1996, the NASD expelled Stratton Oakmont, effectively putting it out of business.

1999: Guilty Plea

In 1999, Jordan Belfort pleaded guilty to fraud and related crimes involving stock-market manipulation and running a boiler room as part of a penny-stock scam.

1999: Indictment for Securities Fraud

In 1999, Jordan Belfort was indicted for securities fraud and money laundering.

2000: Boiler Room Film Inspiration

In 2000, Stratton Oakmont's notoriety inspired the film "Boiler Room".

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July 18, 2003: Sentencing to Prison

On July 18, 2003, Jordan Belfort was sentenced to four years in prison for securities fraud and money laundering, though he served 22 months.

2005: Divorce from Nadine Caridi

In 2005, Jordan Belfort and Nadine Caridi divorced, following her claims of domestic violence fueled by his drug addiction and infidelity.

2007: Restitution Payment During Parole

In 2007, Jordan Belfort paid $382,910 in restitution during his parole period.

2007: Memoir Publication

In 2007, Jordan Belfort published his memoir, "The Wolf of Wall Street".

The Wolf of Wall Street

Check it on Amazon

2008: Restitution Payment During Parole

In 2008, Jordan Belfort paid $148,799 in restitution during his parole period.

2009: End of 50% Income Restitution

In 2009, Jordan Belfort's restitution agreement, which required him to pay 50% of his income to defrauded clients, ended.

August 2012: Filming of "The Wolf of Wall Street" Begins

In August 2012, filming began for Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoirs, "The Wolf of Wall Street".

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October 2013: Complaint Filed Against Belfort

In October 2013, federal prosecutors filed a complaint against Jordan Belfort regarding his restitution payments.

December 25, 2013: Release of "The Wolf of Wall Street" Film

On December 25, 2013, the film adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoirs, "The Wolf of Wall Street", was released.

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2013: Victim Recovery from Forfeited Properties

As of 2013, about $10 million of the $110 million recovered by Jordan Belfort's victims came from the sale of forfeited properties.

2013: "The Wolf of Wall Street" Release

In 2013, Stratton Oakmont's notoriety inspired the biopic "The Wolf of Wall Street".

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2013: Film Adaptation Release

In 2013, the film adaptation of Belfort's memoir, "The Wolf of Wall Street", directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was released.

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May 19, 2014: Motivational Talk in Dubai

On May 19, 2014, Jordan Belfort delivered a motivational talk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

June 2014: Controversy over Film Royalties

In June 2014, spokesmen for the U.S. attorney stated that Jordan Belfort's claim that "100% of the royalties" from his books and The Wolf of Wall Street film would be turned over to victims was "not factual".

The Wolf of Wall Street

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2014: Speaking Engagements

As of 2014, Jordan Belfort was spending three weeks of each month on the road for speaking engagements through his business, Global Motivation Inc.

2014: Face to Face Training Funding

During FY-2014, Face to Face Training received $3.9 million from the state government for its training and assessment services.

2015: Face to Face Training Funding

During FY-2015, Face to Face Training received $6.34 million from the state government for its training and assessment services.

2016: Support for Donald Trump

In the run-up to the 2016 United States presidential election, Jordan Belfort expressed support for Donald Trump and ultimately voted for him.

2017: Publication of Way of the Wolf

In 2017, Jordan Belfort wrote "Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling: Master the Art of Persuasion, Influence, and Success", detailing his sales techniques.

Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling: Master the Art of Persuasion, Influence, and Success

Check it on Amazon

2020: Criticism of Sanders and Warren

During the 2020 Democratic primaries, Jordan Belfort criticized Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren for policy proposals affecting financial institutions.