Brian Johnson built a massive online following by eating raw meat and preaching an “ancestral lifestyle.” But in 2022, leaked emails revealed he was spending thousands on steroids every month — contradicting everything he claimed.
Born: March 2, 1978 ·
Age (2025): 47 ·
Known for: Ancestral lifestyle, raw meat diet ·
Steroid scandal: Revealed 2022 ·
Netflix documentary: Released 2025
Quick snapshot
- Real name: Brian Michael Johnson (Wikipedia)
- Born: March 2, 1978 (Wikipedia)
- Known for: Ancestral lifestyle, raw meat diet (Netflix Tudum)
- Built fitness empire via social media and supplements (Rolling Stone)
- Claimed net worth of $310 million in 2023 (Newsweek)
- Current net worth unverified (Newsweek)
- 2022 revelations of steroid use contradicting natural claims (TIME)
- Lost credibility and some business partnerships (Rolling Stone)
- Netflix documentary released 2025 (Netflix)
- Married; wife involved in brand (Netflix Tudum)
- Height: not publicly verified (Netflix Tudum)
- Active on Instagram (@liverking) (Instagram)
Six key facts, one pattern: the Liver King built a brand on natural living while secretly using performance-enhancing drugs.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Brian Michael Johnson | Wikipedia |
| Born | March 2, 1978 | Wikipedia |
| Age (2025) | 47 | Calculated from birth date |
| Known For | Promoting ancestral lifestyle, raw meat diet | Netflix Tudum |
| Net Worth (estimated) | Several million dollars (pre-scandal) | Newsweek |
| Documentary | Netflix ‘Liver King’ (2025) | Netflix |
How did Liver King get so rich?
What businesses does Liver King own?
Johnson’s primary business was supplement sales and merchandise tied to the “ancestral lifestyle” brand. He sold organ meats, collagen, and other products through his website liverking.com, a domain that still operates today.
- Supplement brand “Liver King” – raw liver capsules, bone marrow, and organ blends (Liver King official site)
- Merchandise line with slogans like “Live Like a King” (Rolling Stone)
The implication: Product sales were the engine of his wealth — fans bought into the “natural” promise.
How did his online presence generate income?
With millions of Instagram followers, Johnson earned through brand deals, sponsored posts, and paid online coaching. By 2021, he claimed his “ancestral” philosophy was a self-made empire worth millions (TIME).
The catch: revenue streams crumbled after the steroid leak, as partners distanced themselves.
Liver King’s business depended on authenticity. Once that was disproven, the revenue model cracked — a cautionary tale for influencer-driven brands.
How old is the Liver King?
When was Liver King born?
Brian Michael Johnson was born on , according to his Wikipedia entry.
What is his zodiac sign?
March 2 falls under Pisces. No credible source ties Johnson’s personality to astrology — it remains a minor biographical curiosity.
Born: March 2, 1978 · Age (2025): 47
Is Liver King still rich?
Did Liver King lose his wealth after the steroid scandal?
The scandal that broke in 2022 cost Johnson several sponsorship deals and damaged his supplement brand’s reputation. Newsweek reported that external net worth estimates were far lower than Johnson’s own $310 million claim. A lawsuit from followers seeking $25 million was later discontinued (Wikipedia).
What remains: His lifestyle likely still includes some revenue from loyal customers, but his public status has plummeted.
What is his current net worth?
No independent audit exists. Johnson’s own figure of $310 million has been widely questioned. Newsweek cites analysis suggesting his liquid net worth is far lower. The Netflix documentary does not provide a verified figure.
What does Liver King’s wife do?
Who is Liver King’s wife?
Johnson’s wife appears in his social media content and was featured in the Netflix documentary (Netflix Tudum). Her full name is not widely published, and her specific occupation has not been disclosed in available sources.
What is her role in his brand?
She reportedly helps manage the brand and appears in marketing materials. The documentary shows her supporting Johnson after the scandal broke, but her professional background remains private.
How much money did Liver King make?
What are the estimated earnings from his fitness empire?
Before the scandal, Johnson likely pulled in millions annually from supplement sales alone. Rolling Stone reported that his online presence generated significant ad revenue and merchandise sales.
How much did the steroid scandal cost him?
The exact financial loss is unknown, but the termination of partnerships and the lawsuit’s settlement cost him substantial sums. In 2025, Johnson was arrested on a terroristic threat charge and released on $20,000 bail (Wikipedia), suggesting his financial standing has been severely impacted.
Timeline of Events
- : Brian Johnson born in the United States (Wikipedia).
- 2020–2021: Rises to fame as Liver King, promoting raw meat and ancestral lifestyle on social media (Netflix Tudum).
- 2022: Steroid use revealed – admits to using performance-enhancing drugs after leaked emails show $11,000 monthly regimen (TIME).
- 2025: Netflix documentary Untold: The Liver King released on (Netflix).
- : Johnson arrested in Austin on terroristic threat charge; released on $20,000 bail (Wikipedia).
What’s Clear and What’s Not
Confirmed Facts
- Brian Johnson born March 2, 1978 (Wikipedia)
- He used steroids (admitted after leaked lab results, TIME)
- Netflix documentary released in 2025 (Netflix)
- He built a fitness supplement brand (Rolling Stone)
What’s Still Unclear
- Exact current net worth (Newsweek notes conflicting estimates)
- Wife’s occupation and full name (Netflix Tudum does not specify)
- His height and other biographical metrics
- Whether he still maintains his wealth post-scandal
Voices from the Story
“Brian Johnson, better known as the Liver King, built an online fitness empire by devouring raw meat and promoting an all-natural ‘ancestral lifestyle.’”
— Netflix Tudum
“Leaked emails revealed Johnson had been injecting steroids and human growth hormone at a cost of about $11,000 per month.”
— TIME
“According to MoneyMade, the Liver King’s liquid net worth is far lower than Johnson’s own $310 million claim.”
— Newsweek
The story of Liver King is a case study in how quickly an influencer’s credibility can collapse when the image doesn’t match reality. For fans who bought into the ancestral lifestyle, the lesson is stark: trust online personas only as far as you can verify the truth behind them.
en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, sentientmedia.org, media.netflix.com, youtube.com, tiktok.com
For a deeper look into the financial and personal fallout, see Liver Kings net worth and scandal.
Frequently asked questions
What is Liver King’s real name?
Brian Michael Johnson (Wikipedia).
How did Liver King become famous?
By promoting a raw meat diet and “ancestral lifestyle” on Instagram and YouTube, eventually selling supplements (Rolling Stone).
Did Liver King admit to using steroids?
Yes, after leaked emails in 2022 showed he spent $11,000/month on steroids and HGH. He later admitted to use (TIME).
What is the ancestral lifestyle?
A philosophy mimicking hunter-gatherer habits: eating raw animal parts, exercising outdoors, cold exposure, and avoiding modern comforts (Liver King official site).
How many followers does Liver King have on Instagram?
He has over 3 million followers as of early 2025 (Instagram profile).
What is the Liver King documentary about?
Netflix’s Untold: The Liver King (2025) explores his rise, steroid scandal, and the fallout (Netflix).
Is Liver King still active on social media?
Yes, his Instagram account is still active as of May 2025, though engagement has dropped (Instagram).
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.