Dakota Meyer Net Worth, Biography, Education, Age, Height, Weight, Career, Wife

Dakota Louis Meyer is a United States Marine Corps veteran, Medal of Honor recipient, author, and entrepreneur, celebrated for his heroic actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan in 2009. From his military service to his ventures in media and business, Meyer’s journey reflects resilience and purpose.

Dakota Meyer Net Worth: Dakota Meyer is a United States Marine Corps veteran. He was awarded the Living Medal of Honor, becoming the second youngest recipient of the medal. Dakota Louise Mayer is the full name of a former Marine. Dakota holds the rank of Sgt. For his service in the United States Army, the serviceman received many decorations. Louis appeared on several television shows.

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Early Life and Biography

Dakota Louis Meyer was born on June 26, 1988, in Columbia, Kentucky, USA, making him 37 years old as of July 2025. His zodiac sign is Cancer. Raised in a small-town environment, Meyer is the son of Felicia Carole Ferree “Killy” Gilliam and Michael Allen Meyer. Little is known about his siblings or extended family, as Meyer keeps these details private. His upbringing in rural Kentucky instilled a strong work ethic and sense of duty, influencing his decision to join the military.

Meyer attended Green County High School in Greensburg, Kentucky, graduating in 2006. He was not an academic standout, admitting in a HeadlinesOverSidelines.com interview, “I wasn’t very good in school.” Instead, he focused on his ambition to serve, approaching a Marine Corps recruiter during high school. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at a recruiting station in Louisville, Kentucky, setting the stage for his military career. His early life was marked by a desire to make a difference, shaped by his community-oriented upbringing.

Education

Dakota Meyer’s formal education is limited to his high school years at Green County High School, where he graduated in 2006. He did not pursue higher education, opting instead for military service. After enlisting, he completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and later trained as a scout sniper at the Marine Corps’ sniper school, becoming one of the youngest school-trained snipers in 2007. His military training provided practical skills and discipline, which he later applied to his entrepreneurial and media ventures. Meyer values experiential knowledge over formal education, stating, “There’s a difference between education and knowledge. Leaders aren’t always the most educated; they are the most knowledgeable” (HeadlinesOverSidelines.com).

Personal Life

The entrepreneur got engaged to Bristol Pauline on March 13, 2015.Sarah Palin, a former governor of Alaska, is the mother of Palin.  In 2015, the couple announced their marriage on May 23, 2015. The marriage was later annulled. On June 25, 2015, Palin announced her second pregnancy. Sarah’s first daughter was born on December 23, 2015. Dakota is the biological father of one of the daughters, according to Meyer, and he filed legal documents for custody of the child.

In 2016, Palin and Meyer agreed to a joint legal and physical custody agreement. The couple got married on May 23, 2016.Bristol revealed her third pregnancy and second child with Meyer before the end of 2016.  The couple had a beautiful daughter, Attlee Bey, born on May 09, 2017. In early 2018, Dakota filed for divorce citing personality conflicts. The couple’s divorce was finalized on August 01, 2018.

Dakota Meyer: Age, Height and Weight

Dakota Meyer stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs approximately 183 lbs (83 kg), as reported by sources like InformationCradle.com. His muscular physique reflects his military background and ongoing commitment to fitness, which he shares on social media. Meyer has blue eyes and light brown or blonde hair, often styled in a short, military-inspired cut that resonates with his disciplined persona. His physical presence complements his role as a public figure and first responder.

Working Life

Dakota’s first deployment was to Fallujah, Iraq in 2007. He was a scout sniper in the 3rd Battalion. The Marine drew attention after his actions while deployed with Training 2-8 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Dakota learns that three Marines and a Navy corpsman are missing after being attacked by a group of rebels. Dakota enters an unknown area and finds four of his missing crew members dead. The Taliban fighter tries to take the body, but Dakota fights him off and kills him. He took the body to a safe place along with the Afghan soldiers.

In 2011, General James Amos announced that a US Marine had been nominated for the Medal of Honor. According to a newspaper, the unidentified person nominated for the Medal of Honor was Dakota Meyer. The president’s staff called the Marine to tell him about the Medal of Honor, but at the time, Dakota was working on a construction site and asked to call back.The Marine won the Medal of Honor at a ceremony on September 15, 2011.

Dakota Meyer’s career spans military service, authorship, media, and entrepreneurship, with his Medal of Honor as a defining achievement. Below are key highlights:

Military Service (2006–2011)

Meyer enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2006, completing basic training at Parris Island and sniper training in 2007. His deployments include:

• 2007: Served as a scout sniper with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Fallujah, Iraq.
• 2009–2010: Deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan, with Embedded Training Team 2-8. On September 8, 2009, during the Battle of Ganjgal, Meyer displayed extraordinary bravery. When his team was ambushed by over 50 insurgents, he learned four U.S. servicemen and Afghan allies were missing. Driving a gun-truck, Meyer entered the combat zone, killed a Taliban fighter attempting to take bodies, and evacuated 12 wounded soldiers while providing cover for 24 others. His actions saved 36 lives, earning him the Medal of Honor on September 15, 2011, presented by President Barack Obama. He was the first living Marine in 38 years to receive this honor, making him the second-youngest recipient for the Iraq or Afghanistan wars.
• Retirement: Meyer retired in 2011 due to an arm wound, holding the rank of Sergeant.

Post-Military Career

After retiring, Meyer transitioned to civilian roles, leveraging his fame:

• Author: Co-authored Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War with Bing West, published in September 2012. The book, a New York Times bestseller, details the Battle of Ganjgal and advocates for Captain William D. Swenson’s Medal of Honor, awarded in 2013. Meyer released Why to What in 2024, focusing on purposeful living.
• Television: Competed in Maximum Warrior season 4 (2013), a military-themed reality show, finishing fourth after elimination in the “Night Hostage Rescue” episode. Appeared in Range 15 (2016), a veteran-produced film.
• Entrepreneurship: Owns Dash Strategies, Dash Hydrate (a hydration product), and Own the Dash, a motivational platform. He also works as a firefighter and EMT in his community, continuing his service-oriented mindset.
• Advocacy: Serves on the advisory board for VETPAW, an organization protecting African wildlife, and advocates for veterans’ mental health and medical cannabis legalization.

Family and Personal Life

Meyer’s personal life has garnered public attention, particularly due to his high-profile marriage to Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Key details include:

• First Marriage: Meyer married Cassandra Marie Wain on May 17, 2008, in Campbellsville, Kentucky. They divorced in 2010, with no children.
• Marriage to Bristol Palin: Meyer became engaged to Bristol Palin on March 13, 2015. Their planned wedding on May 23, 2015, was called off, but they married on May 23, 2016. They have two daughters: Sailor Grace (born December 23, 2015) and Atlee Bay (born May 8, 2017). Meyer filed for divorce in January 2018, citing “conflict of personalities,” and the divorce was finalized on August 1, 2018. A notable custody dispute over Sailor Grace involved Meyer seeking joint legal and physical custody, which was resolved with an interim agreement in March 2016.
• Current Status: As of 2025, Meyer is reportedly single, focusing on his daughters and career. He is an active father, often sharing moments with Sailor and Atlee on Instagram (@dakotameyer0317, 358k+ followers).

Meyer faced significant personal challenges, including a suicide attempt in 2010 after heavy drinking, when he discovered the gun was unloaded. Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he sought treatment and has since advocated for veterans’ mental health, including supporting medical cannabis legalization in Kentucky.

Dakota Meyer Net Worth

Dakota Meyer’s net worth is estimated to range from $400,000 to $2 million as of 2025, with sources like InformationCradle.com citing $2 million and others, such as MDDailyRecord.com, estimating $500,000. The range reflects varying assessments of his income and assets. His income sources include:

• Military Pension: As a retired Marine Sergeant, Meyer receives a pension, though exact figures are undisclosed. The Medal of Honor includes a monthly stipend of approximately $1,500 (adjusted for 2025).
• Book Royalties: Earnings from Into the Fire (Kindle and hardcover) and Why to What contribute significantly, with royalties estimated at $50,000–$100,000 annually for bestsellers.
• YouTube and Social Media: His YouTube channel (@DakotaMeyer0317, 46.1k+ subscribers) generates modest revenue, estimated at $5,000–$20,000 annually, based on CPM rates of $3–$7 per thousand views. Instagram sponsorships (@dakotameyer0317, 358k+ followers) add $10,000–$50,000 yearly.
• Business Ventures: Dash Strategies, Dash Hydrate, and Own the Dash provide income, though specific earnings are private. His firefighter and EMT roles yield an estimated $40,000–$60,000 annually, per average U.S. salaries.
• Media Appearances: Maximum Warrior and Range 15 provided one-time payments, likely $10,000–$50,000 combined.

Meyer’s assets include a home in Campbellsville, Kentucky, and modest investments, as he prefers a low-key lifestyle. Past legal battles, including custody disputes, may have impacted his wealth.

Lesser-Known Facts

1. Beer with Obama: Meyer famously asked to share a beer with President Barack Obama the day before his Medal of Honor ceremony, which they did, as noted by Obama: “Dakota is the kind of guy who gets the job done.”

2. PTSD Advocacy: After his 2010 suicide attempt, Meyer sought treatment for PTSD and now advocates for veterans’ mental health, supporting medical cannabis legalization.

3. VETPAW Involvement: He serves on the advisory board for VETPAW, protecting African wildlife, blending his military background with conservation.

4. Construction Work: Post-retirement, Meyer briefly worked in construction before pursuing media and entrepreneurship.

5. Kentucky Colonel: In 2011, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear named him a Kentucky Colonel, a prestigious state honor.

6. Humble Outlook: Meyer insists he’s not a hero, stating, “Any Marine would do the same thing,” reflecting his respect for his fallen comrades.

7. YouTube Presence: His channel, though modest compared to mainstream influencers, shares motivational content and veteran stories, with 46.1k+ subscribers.

Recent Developments

As of 2025, Dakota Meyer remains active as a firefighter and EMT in Kentucky, balancing his roles as a father to Sailor and Atlee. His latest book, Why to What (2024), emphasizes purposeful living and has been well-received. His businesses, Dash Strategies and Dash Hydrate, continue to grow, with Meyer promoting hydration products and motivational speaking through Own the Dash. He engages fans on Instagram (@dakotameyer0317) and Facebook (558k+ likes), sharing insights on leadership and veteran issues. Meyer’s advocacy for veterans’ mental health, particularly through medical cannabis, remains a priority, with ongoing community involvement.

Conclusion

Dakota Louis Meyer, a 37-year-old Medal of Honor recipient, has built a multifaceted legacy as a Marine, author, and entrepreneur. With a net worth of $400,000–$2 million, his wealth stems from book royalties, business ventures, and a modest military pension. Born in Columbia, Kentucky, Meyer’s heroism at the 2009 Battle of Ganjgal earned him the first living Marine Medal of Honor in 38 years.

About Author

Sharmin Shimi

Sharmin Shimi is a tech expert and celebrity news enthusiast who writes with passion and insight. She simplifies tech trends and delivers the latest entertainment buzz, making complex topics engaging for all. For her, writing isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life.