13 Surprising Facts About the Real “Wolf of Wall Street”

When Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street hit theaters in 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio’s wild portrayal of Jordan Belfort gave us a glimpse into one of Wall Street’s most infamous characters. Based on Belfort’s own memoir, the film captured the chaos, excess, and scandal that defined his rise and fall.

But as gripping as the movie is, it barely scratches the surface of the true story. The real-life Jordan Belfort and his high-stakes scheme were even wilder—and sometimes darker—than what Hollywood showed us. Twenty years after his notorious scam that swindled millions from everyday investors, here are 13 facts you probably didn’t know about the original Wolf of Wall Street.

Jordan Belfort Was Never Actually Called “The Wolf”

The iconic nickname might sound cool—and it’s certainly catchy—but Belfort was never called “The Wolf” by anyone except himself. The moniker first appeared when he wrote his memoir in 2007. Even Danny Porush, Belfort’s former partner at Stratton Oakmont (played by Jonah Hill in the film), said that during eight years working with him, he never heard anyone use that nickname.

He Didn’t Set Out to Become a Stockbroker

Kids rarely dream of becoming stockbrokers. Belfort’s original ambition was quite different—he wanted to be a dentist. In fact, he saved nearly $20,000 selling Italian ice on the beach to pay for dental school. But on his first day, the dean told him dentistry was no longer a golden ticket to wealth. That was enough for Belfort to change course and dive into the finance world instead.

He Never Worked on Wall Street Proper

Surprisingly, Belfort never worked on the actual Wall Street. His infamous firm, Stratton Oakmont, was based on Long Island, about an hour away from Manhattan’s financial district. This made sense since Belfort didn’t have the capital to rent an office in one of the city’s priciest neighborhoods. To make his company seem legit, Belfort trained his brokers to tell investors they were calling from Wall Street itself.

His Victims Never Got Their Money Back

Belfort’s scheme defrauded investors of about $110 million—hard-earned cash mostly taken from everyday Americans trying to get ahead. Despite a court order to repay the money, nearly two decades later, he has only returned about $10 million. Most of his victims never saw their investments again.

He Made $12 Million in Just Three Minutes

At the peak of his empire, Belfort knew exactly how to work the system. In one of his most legendary moments, he made a staggering $12 million in just three minutes—a fortune most of us will never even dream of seeing.

Belfort Was Deep into Drugs

The movie doesn’t shy away from showing Belfort’s drug use, and in reality, it was just as intense. His daily routine was a cocktail of morphine, marijuana, cocaine, Xanax, alcohol, and a powerful sedative known now as “Bill Cosby pills,” which he infamously used to drug unsuspecting women.

Once, while in London, he ran out of these pills and called his secretary in New York at 4 a.m. for help. She immediately arranged for the drugs to be flown over on the Concorde—the fastest commercial jet at the time—demonstrating just how far money and power can stretch.

He Sank His Own Yacht

One of the movie’s most memorable scenes is Belfort’s yacht sinking during a wild Mediterranean storm. This actually happened. In 1996, despite the captain’s warnings, Belfort insisted on sailing through rough seas. The 167-foot yacht, named after his wife Nadine, capsized and sank off the coast of Italy. Luckily, everyone on board was rescued by the Italian Navy.

His Marriage Was Marked by Violence

Belfort’s relationship with his wife Nadine was far from perfect. Under the influence of drugs, Belfort once violently assaulted her, kicking her down a staircase. He then tried to flee with their daughter, crashing his sports car through their gates and into a pole. Their toxic marriage was just one example of the darker side behind the flashy lifestyle.

There Was No Chimpanzee at Stratton Oakmont

In one hilarious movie scene, DiCaprio’s Belfort parades through the office holding a chimpanzee on a leash. In reality, no such wild office antics involving primates ever took place. The scene was purely symbolic, highlighting the chaotic, untamed culture of Belfort’s firm.

Belfort Turned on His Own Friends

During the FBI investigation, Belfort wore a wire and secretly informed on everyone involved in the scam. This betrayal earned him a lighter sentence, though it alienated many of his former associates.

His Prison Sentence Was Surprisingly Light

Given the scale of his fraud, many expected Belfort to face a harsh prison term. Instead, after pleading guilty, he served just 22 months—much less than the four years initially proposed. He spent time in a low-security “work camp” equipped with amenities like tennis courts and libraries—a far cry from a typical prison.

Now, He’s a Motivational Speaker

Belfort was known for his fiery pep talks at Stratton Oakmont, and he hasn’t lost that charisma since leaving prison. Today, he charges up to $400 a ticket to speak at events, sharing his infamous quotes like “Sell me this pen” and “Playing it safe is the fastest route to poverty.” His speeches draw hundreds eager to learn from his experience.

He’s Making More Money Than Ever

Though he once swindled millions, Belfort is now earning a fortune legally—making around $100 million by 2014 through speaking engagements, book sales, and royalties from the film. Charging between $30,000 and $80,000 per speech and touring about 45 times a year, he’s built a lucrative post-prison career.

The real Jordan Belfort’s story is a rollercoaster of ambition, excess, crime, and redemption—far more complex than any movie could fully capture. It’s a fascinating look at how far some will go for power and wealth, and how the consequences of their actions ripple for years after the spotlight fades.