Steve Eisman: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Steve Eisman’s Profile Summary

Company	Neuberger Berman
Position	Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Neuberger Berman. He oversees the Eisman Group within the firm’s Private Asset Management division
Source of wealth	Management and performance fees from roles at Neuberger Berman, previous management of Emrys Partners, and profits from shorting the U.S. housing market
Also known as	Steve Eisman is also known as a media personality and philanthropist.
Age	63
Education	University of Pennsylvania – BA, Harvard Law School – JD
Citizenship	United States
Residence	New York City, USA
Family	Steve Eisman is married to Valerie Feigen. They had three children, including a son, Max, who tragically passed away. Another of their sons, David Eisman, is the founder and CEO of Pixelman Productions
Website, Social Media	https://www.nb.com/

Biography

Steve Eisman is an influential figure in the world of finance, best known for his prescient bet against the U.S. housing market before its collapse in 2007, a story famously chronicled in Michael Lewis's book The Big Short, and later portrayed in a film where his character was renamed Mark Baum. Eisman’s career began in the 1980s at Oppenheimer & Co., where he quickly gained recognition as a top financial services analyst. His experience includes serving as Senior Portfolio Manager at FrontPoint Financial Services Fund, where he made his career-defining short on subprime mortgage bonds. In 2014, he joined Neuberger Berman as a Managing Director, leading his own group. He has also been involved with Emrys Partners, a hedge fund he co-founded, before transitioning to his current role at Neuberger Berman. Eisman holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from Harvard Law School, reflecting his strong academic background in both economics and law. He remains an active voice in the finance world, frequently appearing in media to share his market insights

Placed on indefinite leave from Neuberger Berman in Sep 2024 over a controversial social-media post about the Middle East and resigned later in 2024.

How did Steve Eisman make money?

Steve Eisman makes money in the following areas:

Management and performance fees from roles at Neuberger Berman, previous management of Emrys Partners, and profits from shorting the U.S. housing market
What is Steve Eisman net worth?

As of 2026, Steve Eisman’s net worth is estimated to be $1.6B.

What is Steve Eisman also known as?

Steve Eisman has become a prominent media personality, frequently appearing in financial news outlets and on television programs like CNBC, where he shares his market insights and opinions. He gained widespread public recognition after being featured in Michael Lewis’s book The Big Short and its subsequent movie adaptation. Beyond his investment career, Eisman is also a dedicated philanthropist, contributing to educational and healthcare initiatives. His charitable efforts reflect his commitment to improving society by supporting underprivileged children’s education and funding medical research

Prominent achievements

Eisman became widely recognized for his role in shorting subprime mortgages before the 2008 crisis, an event depicted in The Big Short. He managed over $1 billion at FrontPoint Partners, founded Emrys Partners, and successfully managed portfolios at Neuberger Berman. His story was immortalized in the Oscar-nominated film The Big Short, where Steve Carell portrayed his character

Launched and hosts the podcast 'The Real Eisman Playbook.'

What are Steve Eisman’s key insights?

Steve Eisman is known for his contrarian approach to investing, focusing on deep research and identifying flaws in the market, such as the vulnerabilities he spotted in subprime mortgages prior to the 2008 financial crisis. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of fundamental analysis, though he later acknowledged that changing market dynamics made it difficult to rely on company fundamentals alone

Personal life

Steve Eisman has been married to Valerie Feigen since 1989. She worked for J.P. Morgan and was portrayed as "Cynthia" in The Big Short. Their first son, Max, died in a tragic accident involving a night nurse. Their surviving son, David Eisman, runs a video game company called Pixelman Productions. Eisman's parents, Elliott and Lillian, were also involved in finance, managing portfolios at Oppenheimer Securities

Useful insights

Decision-making and success

Making the right decisions at the right time is often what sets successful people apart. Drawing on the experience of Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, here are some key lessons for improving your decision-making and achieving long-term success.

Create a decision-making framework

Ray Dalio advocates for a clear, principles-based approach to decision-making. Establish a set of guiding principles that you consistently apply when faced with choices. This will help you stay focused and avoid emotional or impulsive decisions.
Embrace transparency and open feedback

Dalio’s philosophy of radical transparency is about creating an environment where honest feedback is encouraged. Whether in your career or personal life, being open to criticism and maintaining transparency will help you grow and make better decisions.
Prepare for risks and manager them wisely

Success isn’t just about making the right moves—it's also about managing risks effectively. Always consider worst-case scenarios and have a plan in place to navigate them. Risk management is a crucial part of any decision-making process.