Bill Perkins Net Worth, Biography, Career, and Life Lessons

Bill Perkins, born William O. Perkins III in 1969 in New Jersey, is the type of figure you can’t put in a box. A hedge fund manager, film producer, author, recreational high-stakes poker player, and venture capitalist, Perkins has carved out a unique identity in multiple industries, all driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep love for calculated risk.

In 2025, Bill Perkins’ net worth is estimated to be around $60 million, thanks to his diverse ventures across the financial markets, energy trading, Hollywood, and even the green felt of poker tables worldwide.

Let’s dive into how a kid from Jersey City turned his life into an adventurous, multi-faceted empire—and the habits that helped him along the way.

A Humble Start to an Unconventional Path

Perkins’ story doesn’t begin with silver spoons or overnight success. He grew up in Jersey City, where daily life came with its share of hard lessons. His father, known in the community, instilled in him the importance of discipline and reputation. A formative moment he recalls is being recognized by strangers as “Billy Perkins’ kid”—a reminder of how quickly actions can reflect on your identity.

After earning a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Perkins took a clerk job—not exactly the Wall Street dream—but it was a launching pad. Armed with analytical thinking and a hunger for more, he worked his way into the world of hedge funds and energy markets.

Everything shifted in 2002, when he joined Centaurus Energy, a Houston-based hedge fund. This was the turning point. Perkins quickly made a name for himself as a sharp, intuitive trader with a high tolerance for risk and the emotional discipline to match.

The Poker Table

While not a professional poker player, Perkins is no stranger to six-figure pots. His presence in the high-stakes poker world is more about psychology than the money. He’s played in televised tournaments and private games with world-class players, proving that he’s not there just for fun—he’s there to learn, compete, and explore human behavior under pressure.

“A lot of the prop bets I do are motivating bets,” he said, explaining how even his recreational gambling often serves a bigger purpose—whether motivating a friend to lose weight or challenging himself to learn discipline.

Poker, like trading, involves probabilities, emotional control, and a comfort with being wrong. “One thing I like about being a trader,” Perkins once noted, “is how many times you are wrong. You have to lose the fear of being wrong if you want to learn anything.”

A Love for Film and Storytelling

In 2009, Perkins ventured into film production and found another unexpected calling. His debut as a producer was met with success, sparking a continued interest in entertainment. He has since produced several films, balancing Hollywood creativity with Wall Street logic.

Film, much like poker and trading, is about risk and reward. It’s another arena where Perkins’ philosophy—invest in what you love—comes into play. His eclectic resume doesn’t follow a traditional trajectory, and that’s exactly how he likes it.

His Personal Life and Principles

At 56 years old in 2025, Bill Perkins is a father, a mentor, and a vocal advocate for intentional living. Though he keeps his family largely out of the public eye, he’s shared snippets of how his upbringing, career, and interests have shaped his outlook on life.

He’s not shy about calling out societal trends either. “People are increasingly willing to give up freedom and privacy in exchange for convenience,” he’s observed, highlighting a growing concern about technology and personal data.

Perkins also draws inspiration from history. He credits much of his success and the life he’s been able to build to the legacy of civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose efforts, he says, laid the foundation for his own opportunities.

Bill Perkins’ Key Habits for Success

1. Learn Relentlessly
Perkins’ first and most important habit is continuous learning. Whether in finance, engineering, poker, or filmmaking, he approaches every interest like a student. He doesn’t let formal education define the limits of his growth. Instead, he sees life as an ongoing masterclass.

2. Stay Humble
Despite his success, Perkins is known for staying grounded. He understands that success can be fleeting and that ego can destroy progress. Being humble, he says, attracts the right people and keeps you open to new knowledge.

3. Invest in Passion, Not Just Profit
He’s a firm believer in pursuing interests even if they aren’t immediately profitable. From films to poker to fitness, Perkins puts time and money into the things he loves. That, he believes, is what real success looks like—freedom to live fully, not just work endlessly.

Bill Perkins is more than just a wealthy entrepreneur—he’s a blueprint for anyone looking to live intentionally. He didn’t follow a straight path, but he did follow his passions. Whether trading energy markets, making movies, or betting at the poker table, he lives by one rule: bet on yourself and keep learning.

In a world obsessed with narrow specialization, Bill Perkins stands out as a modern-day Renaissance man, proving that life gets richer when you dare to be more than one thing.