Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and television personality who became a global phenomenon with her KonMari method of tidying and decluttering. Born on October 9, 1984, in Tokyo, Japan, Kondo developed a passion for organizing from a very young age, reportedly beginning to study the art of tidying at age five by reading home and lifestyle magazines. She started her consulting business as a university student at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, where she studied sociology.

Kondo’s breakthrough came with the publication of her first book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” in Japan in 2011. The book became a massive bestseller in Japan and was translated into English in 2014, where it topped bestseller lists worldwide, selling over 13 million copies in more than 40 languages. The KonMari method centers on keeping only items that “spark joy” and has inspired millions of people worldwide to transform their homes and lives. She followed up with “Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up” in 2016.

In 2019, Kondo’s fame reached new heights with the launch of her Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” which became a cultural phenomenon. The show featured Kondo visiting American homes and helping families declutter using her signature method. The series won the hearts of viewers worldwide and was followed by a second Netflix series, “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo,” in 2021. Her impact on popular culture was so significant that donation centers reported massive increases in donations whenever new episodes aired.

Beyond her media presence, Kondo has built a substantial business empire. She launched KonMari Media, Inc. to manage her brand, created an online shopping site selling organizing products and lifestyle goods, and developed a KonMari consultant certification program that has trained thousands of professional organizers worldwide. Her net worth of approximately $8 million reflects the success of her book sales, television deals, product lines, and consulting business. She lives in the United States with her husband, Takumi Kawahara, who serves as the CEO of KonMari Media, and their three children.