Dave Ramsey Says His Wife Wanted To Leave Him, 'But She Didn't Have A Car' – Hitting Rock Bottom Financially Almost Ended His Marriage

Dave Ramsey is a household name in personal finance. Known for his no-debt philosophy and the massive real estate empire he built by paying cash, Ramsey's advice has guided millions toward financial freedom. 

But before he became a beacon of financial wisdom, Ramsey found himself at rock bottom. During a 2023 appearance on The Iced Coffee Hour Podcast, Ramsey opened up about his past financial ruin, the toll it took on his marriage and how he clawed his way back.

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Confidence to Collapse

"I had hungry kids and a wife that wanted to leave, but she didn't have a car," Ramsey recalled. His confidence and financial stability were shattered. Ramsey once prided himself on his business acumen and admitted that he could "outearn" his poor decisions. But his strategy of leveraging debt backfired, leading to bankruptcy and leaving his family in a state of financial and emotional chaos.

"I wasn't doing any of the right things. I was deeply in debt, didn't have a plan and thought I could outearn my stupidity," he admitted. The fallout was devastating and it wasn't just about the money – his self-esteem, his marriage and his family's stability were all hanging by a thread.

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Surviving the Storm

When asked how he and his wife, Sharon, managed to hold their marriage together during that time, Ramsey didn't sugarcoat it: "We fought a lot. It was really brutal. She was terrified and my self-esteem was destroyed because my confidence came from my success. When that was gone, I was just a shell."

Despite the tension, they chose to stick together, but it wasn't easy. "We used to laugh and say we held on to each other just to get a better grip," Ramsey said. The couple focused on survival – living day-to-day.

"We just said, ‘Do the next thing.' Get up, go to work, pay the light bill, change the diaper, feed the kids. We were zombified, just grinding it out." Over time, Ramsey began to rebuild financially, eventually pulling in six figures again. But the emotional strain lingered.

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The Aftermath: A Marriage on the Brink

Surprisingly, Ramsey revealed that the real test of their marriage came three years after their financial recovery. "Once we weren't desperate anymore, all those feelings we had stuffed down just blew up," he said. The couple found themselves in counseling for three years, working through resentment, fear and the deep wounds left by their financial collapse.

"She thought she had married Sir Galahad and it turned out it was Goober," Ramsey said candidly. His wife, Sharon, had to rebuild her trust in him while Ramsey worked on his self-worth.

The Path to Redemption

Ramsey's turnaround wasn't just financial – it was personal and spiritual. "I realized I had put my faith in the wrong things," he said. "If your self-worth is tied to your net worth, you're setting yourself up for failure."

He focused on becoming a person of character, someone his future self could look back on with pride. "I want to be a good dad, a good husband, a good leader. I don't want to live with regrets about my character."

Through their struggles, the Ramseys emerged stronger. With a renewed sense of purpose, Dave began building his debt-free empire, becoming one of the most influential financial advisors in the world.

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A Message of Hope

Today, Ramsey's story serves as a powerful reminder that financial ruin doesn't have to be the end of the story. His advice – live on less than you make, avoid debt and stick to a budget – has inspired millions to take control of their money.

But perhaps his greatest lesson is this: perseverance, humility and a commitment to growth can help you rebuild your finances and your life. "When I hear people call in and I can hear that desperation in their voice," he said, "it still hits me in the gut. I've been there."

Dave Ramsey's journey from bankruptcy to financial guru proves that rock bottom isn't permanent – and that it's possible to climb back stronger than ever.

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