Barbara Ann Corcoran

 Barbara Ann Corcoran (born March 10, 1949) is an American businesswoman investor speaking, consultant and syndicated columnist. She is also an author, and television personality. In 2001, she established The Corcoran Group in New York City. She later sold the company to NRT for $66 million. Shortly thereafter, she exited from the business. Corcoran was among the original Shark Tank investors. She has appeared in every season of ABC's Shark Tank. In February of 2020, Corcoran had made 53 deals, the largest being a $350,000 investment which included 40% of Coverplay. Corcoran was born in Edgewater, New Jersey, the second of 10 children from a working class Irish Catholic family. Florence, Corcoran's mother, was a homemaker. Her father, Edwin W. Corcoran Jr. moved between jobs throughout Corcoran's early years. Her family sometimes depended on food delivery for free from a local, friendly grocery store. Corcoran recalls her father, one who would drink excessively, and behaved towards her mother in a manner that was disrespectful and condescendingly, especially after he'd consumed several drinks. Corcoran struggled at school, and was later told that she had dyslexia. Corcoran entered high school at St. Cecilia High School Englewood following her time at an Catholic primary school. Corcoran was fluent in several courses during her freshman year. She transferred to Leonia High School and graduated with a grade of D.