Larry Williams: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Larry Williams’s Profile Summary

Company	Self-employed
Position	Trader and Educator in his self-employed capacity.
Source of wealth	Trading profits from futures and commodities, book royalties, seminars and educational courses on trading, development of proprietary trading tools and indicators
Also known as	Author, educator, political candidate.
Age	82
Education	University of Oregon – Bachelor's degree in Journalism
Citizenship	United States
Residence	San Diego, California, USA
Family	Larry Williams' family includes his daughter Michelle Williams, a well-known actress, and his son Jason Williams, a psychiatrist and author
Website, Social Media	https://www.ireallytrade.com/ https://x.com/whale_williams

Larry Williams’s biography

Larry Williams is a renowned American trader, author, and educator who has been active in the financial markets for over six decades. Born in 1942, he began his journey in trading in the 1960s after being inspired by the Kennedy steel price rollback. He gained early recognition for his creation of the Williams %R, a technical indicator still widely used today. Throughout his career, Larry has traded futures, commodities, and stocks, and he is known for his ability to turn small sums into substantial profits. His most notable achievement came in 1987, when he won the World Cup Championship of Futures Trading, turning $10,000 into over $1.1 million—a record that remains unbeaten. In addition to trading, Larry is a prolific author with several bestselling books, such as "How I Made One Million Dollars Last Year Trading Commodities" and "Long-Term Secrets to Short-Term Trading." He has educated thousands through seminars and online courses, sharing his market wisdom with traders globally. Williams has also been active in politics, running twice for the U.S. Senate. His impact on the trading community extends to developing numerous technical indicators and tools, making him a highly respected figure in the world of finance

How did Larry Williams make money?

Larry Williams makes money in the following areas:

Trading profits from futures and commodities, book royalties, seminars and educational courses on trading, development of proprietary trading tools and indicators
What is Larry Williams net worth?

As of 2025, Larry Williams’s net worth is estimated to be $50M.

What is Larry Williams also known as?

Larry Williams is a well-known author of numerous bestselling books on trading, including "How I Made One Million Dollars Last Year Trading Commodities" and "Long-Term Secrets to Short-Term Trading." His work has educated thousands of traders globally, through both his writings and his live seminars, where he has traded large sums in real time. Moreover, Williams has made a name for himself in politics, running twice for the U.S. Senate in Montana as a Republican nominee. He is also a dedicated educator who has contributed to numerous industry publications, sharing insights on technical analysis, futures, and commodities

Prominent achievements of Larry Williams

Larry Williams won the 1987 World Cup Championship of Futures Trading with a record-breaking return of 11,376%, authored numerous best-selling trading books like "How I Made One Million Dollars Last Year Trading Commodities", developed widely used trading indicators like Williams %R, was named Market Technicians Association Man of the Year in 2014, and received the Omega Research Lifetime Achievement Award

What are Larry Williams’s key insights?

Larry Williams emphasizes the importance of understanding market fundamentals over mere chart analysis. He believes in following the "superpowers" of the market—large players who influence price movements—while using technical indicators like his Williams %R for timing. Key to his philosophy is cutting losses quickly, letting profits run, and maintaining strict risk management. He also advocates for using the Commitment of Traders (COT) reports to align with market forces

Larry Williams’s personal life

Larry Williams has three children. His daughter Michelle Williams is a successful actress, nominated for multiple Academy Awards. His son Jason Williams is a psychiatrist and author of "The Mental Edge in Trading," which focuses on the psychological aspects of trading. Another daughter, Paige Williams, is also involved in trading, having participated in financial competitions

Useful insights

Advanced strategies for stock and Forex traders

As you progress in your trading journey, it is important to explore more advanced strategies. These books dive deeper into technical analysis and trading psychology, helping traders improve their edge.

John Bollinger – "Bollinger on Bollinger Bands"
- Summary:
  
  Bollinger, the creator of Bollinger Bands, provides an in-depth explanation of how to use this technical indicator to measure market volatility and identify trading opportunities. The book includes detailed examples of how Bollinger Bands can be applied in various market conditions.
- Why read it:
  
  Understanding how to use technical indicators like Bollinger Bands is crucial for identifying market trends and making informed decisions. This book is essential for traders looking to master volatility-based strategies.
Al Brooks – "Trading Price Action Trends"
- Summary:
  
  Brooks focuses on price action trading, a strategy that relies on interpreting raw price movements without the use of lagging indicators. His book teaches how to read price charts, identify trends, and use support and resistance levels effectively.
- Why read it:
  
  As one of the purest forms of technical analysis, price action trading can significantly enhance a trader's ability to react to market movements. Traders seeking a deeper understanding of market behavior will find Brooks' insights invaluable.