Mike Lindell
Michael James Lindell (/lɪnˈdɛl/ lin-DEL;[4] born June 28, 1961),[5] also known as the My Pillow Guy,[6] is an American businessman, political activist, and conspiracy theorist.[7][8][9][10] He is the founder and CEO of My Pillow, a pillow, bedding, and slipper manufacturing company.[3][7][11][12]
Lindell is a prominent supporter of and advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump. After Trump's defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Lindell played a significant role in supporting and financing Trump's attempts to overturn the election result; he spread disproven conspiracy theories about widespread electoral fraud in that election.[10][13] He has also promoted unproven medical treatments for COVID-19.
Background
Lindell was born in 1961 in Mankato, Minnesota.[5] He was raised in Chaska and Carver, Minnesota.[7] Lindell's gambling addiction began to emerge in his teenage years.[14] He attended the University of Minnesota after high school, but dropped out a few months into his studies.[15] Lindell became addicted to and a frequent user of cocaine in his 20s. This addiction became worse after he switched to crack cocaine in the 1990s.[14] Lindell was also incurring gambling debts. The buildup of his addictions between the 1980s and 1990s led to the foreclosure of his house and his wife filing for divorce. Lindell stated that he achieved sobriety through prayer in 2009.[7][16][17]
Type of business
Philanthropy
During the early days of My Pillow, Lindell made donations to the Salvation Army[36] and Union Gospel Mission.[37]
Lindell founded the Lindell Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists former addicts in getting treatment and other services. The foundation broadened over time, including cancer victims and veterans in their outreach.[38]
In 2019, Lindell launched the Lindell Recovery Network, which connects addicts with others who have gone through drug addiction and the recovery process, as well as faith-based treatment centers and other recovery organizations.[38]
Personal life
Lindell has been married three times.
His first marriage ended in divorce after about 20 years, and he has children from this marriage.[120]
He married Dallas Yocum in June 2013 and filed for divorce in mid-July 2013 after she left him. Lindell stated that they had a prenuptial agreement.[121][122]
Lindell's third marriage was made public by Donald Trump at a rally on April 6, 2024.[123]
Lindell is an evangelical Christian[124] [16] and received an honorary Doctor of Business from Liberty University in 2019. In bestowing the honor, Dave Brat, the dean of Liberty University's School of Business, called Lindell “one of the greatest Christian businessmen on the planet.”[125] The event featured Lindell's donation of 12,000 pillows worth over $600,000 to those in attendance.[126] That same year, Lindell self-published a book, What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO, in which he recounts his overnight recovery from drug addiction and credits divine intervention for the subsequent launch of his pillow business.[55]
In January 2021, the Daily Mail published a story stating that Lindell had a nine-month relationship with actress Jane Krakowski between late 2019 and the summer of 2020. Both Lindell and Krakowski denied the allegation. Lindell, represented by attorney Charles Harder, sued the Daily Mail, alleging libel.[127][128][129][130] A federal court dismissed the suit in December 2021, ruling that Lindell had failed to identify any statements "that a reasonable person would view as defamatory."[131][132]
In March 2021, Lindell said on The Domenick Nati Show that he was no longer living in Minnesota and was not attending in-person events over safety concerns.[133]
