Less Than A Decade Before His Millions, Mark Cuban Was Sleeping On The Floor Of A 'Nasty' Apartment In Dallas

Mark Cuban, now a billionaire and owner of a sprawling 24,000-square-foot mansion in one of Dallas' most exclusive neighborhoods, Preston Hollow, wasn't always living the high life. 

In the 1980s, long before his millions, he was crammed into a dingy Dallas apartment with five roommates, sleeping on the floor when no beds were available. The former "Shark Tank" host opened up about this humble beginning in a recent episode of The San Francisco Standard's "Life in Seven Songs" podcast.

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"I slept on the floor. If someone was out of town, I got a bed," Cuban recalled during the interview, emphasizing just how bare-bones his living situation was at the time. "I didn't have my own closet, didn't have my own drawers, nothing."

Fresh out of Indiana University, Cuban was only 24 when a friend convinced him to move to Dallas, luring him in with promises of warm weather and plenty of beautiful women. In true youthful exuberance, Cuban jumped at the opportunity. "The women are beautiful? Here I come. I'm 24 years old," he quipped, reflecting on his decision.

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Cuban initially didn't plan to stay long in Dallas, but life had other plans, as it often does. A few months after his arrival, he landed a job selling software. 

But this gig didn't last long either – he got fired when he prioritized a potential $15,000 sale over opening the office one morning, much to his boss's dismay. “I had a $1,500 commission on the line,” Cuban noted, describing his disbelief at being let go over what seemed like a golden opportunity.

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In hindsight, that firing might have been a blessing in disguise. It pushed Cuban to take a risk on himself, founding MicroSolutions in 1983. Less than a decade later, the company was raking in over $30 million in revenue. 

In 1990, Cuban sold MicroSolutions for $6 million, officially cementing his status as a millionaire. He was quick to enjoy his new wealth, purchasing a lifetime pass with American Airlines for $125,000, allowing him to jet off wherever he pleased. "I was young, single and crazy and there were no limits," Cuban said with a laugh, adding that he spent a lot of time partying and experiencing as much as he could.

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Cuban's entrepreneurial journey didn't stop there. In 2000, he bought the Dallas Mavericks for $280 million, which made waves in the NBA world. While Cuban recently sold the majority stake of the Mavericks for a valuation of around $3.5 billion, he still holds onto 27% of the team – a nod to his long-term passion for the franchise. 

Cuban's brash, outspoken style has often put him in the spotlight, not just as a business mogul but also as a media personality. His time on "Shark Tank" earned him a reputation as a tough yet approachable investor, though he announced plans to leave the show after filming wraps this season.

In recent years, Cuban has also dipped his toes into the political world, supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and offering to serve in her administration. At the same time, he has made his opinions on Donald Trump clear, insisting, "I don't hate the guy. I just don't want him to be president."

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