Billy Mays was born on July 20, 1958, so he would have been 67 in 2025. Growing up in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, he loud, friendly voice on TV commercials soon landed him in homes nationwide. He started by hawking knick-knacks on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and then moved up to big-name brands like OxiClean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom. His trademark blue shirt, booming energy, and clear demonstrations turned him into the face of direct-response ads, and the Discovery Channels PitchMen made him a real star. When he passed away in 2009, billy mays net worth was about 10 million, thanks to product deals, his company Mays Promotions Inc., and steady TV work.
Mays was married and had a son, but even with his larger-than-life public image he mostly kept everyday family life low-key. Today he is still remembered as one of televisions most unforgettable pitchmen.
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Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Darrell Mays Jr. |
| Date of Birth | July 20, 1958 |
| Place of Birth | McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Date of Death | June 28, 2009 (age 50) |
| Place of Death | Tampa, Florida, USA |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack (with cocaine as a contributing factor) |
| Occupation | TV pitchman, actor, producer |
| Known For | Infomercials for OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom, and others |
| Career Highlights | Started selling on Atlantic City boardwalk; became CEO of Mays Promotions, Inc.; appeared on Home Shopping Network and Discovery Channel’s “PitchMen” |
| Spouses | Deborah Mays (2002–2009), Dolores DiDesiderio (divorced) |
| Children | Two children |
| Signature Style | Booming voice, button-down blue shirt, exuberant sales pitches, distinctive beard |
| Net Worth at Death | Approximately $10 million |
| Political Affiliation | Republican |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
- Born 20 July 1958, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh
- Schooling: Finished secondary school at Sto-Rox and later walked on as a linebacker at West Virginia University for one season
- Family Roots: Son of Billy Mays Sr., who ran a hazardous-waste trucking company in the area
- First Jobs: Lent a hand to the family business until he moved to Atlantic City in 1983, chasing new opportunities
- Sales Start: Spent hours on the boardwalk pitching As-Seen-On-TV items—knives, mops, and wild gadgets, while learning the art of the close
- Mentorship: Picked up showmanship tips from old pros at fairs, home shows, and auto expos from coast to coast, turning his voice into his favorite tool.
Billy Mays Net Worth at the Time He Passed Away
When he was at the very top of his game, Billy Mays had a net worth estimated at roughly 10 million dollars. He built that money through big endorsement deals, royalties, and the infomercial company he owned, Mays Promotions Inc. His earnings came from lots of places, like TV spots, product royalties—especially OxiClean and Mighty Putty and licensing deals that took advantage of the trust people placed in his voice. Because of all that, he stood as one of the richest and best-known faces in the infomercial world during his time.
Billy Mays Net Worth over the years
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1980s | Modest | Began career selling products on Atlantic City Boardwalk |
| 1993 | Rising | Joined OrangeGlo International as promoter, career growth begins |
| Late 1990s | Higher | Frequent appearances on Home Shopping Network, expansion of reputation and earnings |
| 2007-2009 | $10 million | Peak career period; co-starred in TV show “PitchMen,” owned Mays Promotions Inc. |
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Business Ventures and Income Streams
Major Business Ventures
Mays Promotions, Inc.: Billy Mays founded and served as CEO of Mays Promotions, Inc., a firm devoted entirely to direct-response advertising and product promotion. Through this company he managed his on-air endorsements, negotiated deals set up new campaigns, and kept track of every product he took to market.
PitchMen (Discovery Channel series): Mays teamed with fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan on PitchMen, a Discovery Channel series that followed their lives in the infomercial business. Cameras recorded them as they auditioned new items evaluated the merchandise and each week decided which gadgets would earn the legendary As Seen On TV label.
Brand Collaborations: Because he ended up as the public face of some of Americas best-known household goods Mays never lacked for new opportunities. Among his biggest brand collaborations were:
- OxiClean
- Orange Glo
- Kaboom
- Zorbeez
- Mighty Putty
- Fix-It
- Turbo Tiger
- Orange Clean
Partners counted on his booming voice and friendly manner to push sales through the roof.
Income Streams
- Infomercials and Advertisements: Television infomercials and ads formed the backbone of Mays income. He pocketed a flat fee for each shoot and then collected commissions if the product really took off.
- Product Endorsement Deals: Direct endorsement contracts also added to his wealth. Companies paid generously for his name and trust, knowing a single pitch could turn a slow-selling item into a bestseller almost overnight.
- Home Shopping Network Appearances: Home Shopping Network Appearances-Mays earned a sizeable portion of his income from regular slots on the Home Shopping Network, where he showcased a wide array of everyday products and received a percentage of each item sold.
- Royalties and Residuals: Royalties and Residuals-He continued to collect royalties long after the cameras stopped rolling, especially from enduring brands like OxiClean, Orange Glow, and Kaboom, allowing him passive revenue every time those commercials played on loop.
- Business Ownership: Business Ownership-Billy Mays Promotions, Inc. gave him a second layer of earnings; he negotiated deals, arranged overseas licensing, and profited directly from manufacturing partnerships that spun off the products he pitched.
- Television Series Earnings: Television Series Earnings-His co-starring role in the Discovery series PitchMen added another revenue stream while elevating his profile as a go-to consultant in the marketing world.
Billy Mays Family
Marriages
- Dolores DiDesiderio (divorced 1990); they had one daughter.
- Deborah Mays (married 2002 until his death); they had one son.
Children
Raised two children, a daughter and a son, from his two marriages.
- Billy Mays III, born August 12, 1986, with his first wife Dolores “Dee Dee” Mays
- Elizabeth Mays, born around 2006, with his second wife Deborah Mays
- Personal Traits: Fostered long-term friendships with pitch partners such as Anthony Sullivan.
- Private Lifestyle: Though famous, Mays guarded daily family matters from the public eye.
Rise to Fame: The Infomercial King
- Key Breakthrough (1993): He met Orange Glo boss Max Appel at a local home show and signed on to showcase the cleaner
- Big Brand Association: Soon, Billy became the face of OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom, and Orange Clean
- Signature Style: Fans knew him by his booming Hello, Billy Mays here! his blue button shirt, and the thick beard everyone remembers
- Television & Reach: His pitches ran non-stop on the Home Shopping Network and in a sea of late-night infomercials
- Partnership: Billy and Anthony Sullivan clicked personally and professionally, teaming up for the Discovery Channel show PitchMen
- Impact: His high-energy demonstrations boosted sales for OxiClean and other lines almost overnight
- Volume of Work: By the end, he appeared in more than 800 spots, hawking everything from kitchen gadgets to yard tools.
Billy Mays House
Billy Mays lived in a house in Tampa, Florida, and that neighborhood became part of his story after he was found dead there in 2009. The Tampa home was more than a roof over his head; it was the headquarters for his business, Mays Promotions, Inc. Before settling in Tampa, he also had a place in Odessa, Florida, according to a few records. When he died, his wife found him unresponsive early on the morning of June 28, and police later said there were no signs of forced entry or anything suspicious at the house.
Notable Work and Achievements
Billy Mays is best known for his unforgettable infomercial style, a look-at-me energy first seen in commercials for:
Pioneering TV Pitchman
From the 1990s onward he fronted dozens of products , including OxiClean, Orange Glo, Zorbeez, and Mighty Putty, sometimes pitching more than forty different items before breakfast.
Home Shopping Network Star
On HSN his loud voice and big smile turned slow-moving gadgets into sold-out hits, proving that passion can move more than just merchandise.
Discovery Channel Series
In 2009 he swapped quick ads for longer stories on PitchMen, a docudrama he shot with Anthony Sully Sullivan. They hunted new ideas, filmed rough takes, and showed how real ads get built behind the cameras.
Industry Impact
Mays booming voice, trademark blue shirt, and habit of tossing in one last benefit turned him into an advertising legend who, the magazine Fortune later counted, helped companies pocket over $1 billion.
Founder and CEO
With Mays Promotions, based in Tampa, he kept ownership of his brand, licensed the products he loved, and showed that even a pitchman can run a respectable business.
Cultural Legacy
His commercials quickly became meme-worthy, sparking parodies, remixes, and fan tributes across social media and YouTube, a sign that his reach stretched far past TV screens.
Trust and Quality Commitment
Mays approved only the products he actually tried and believed in, putting the test of real experience at the heart of his brand and helping him stay respected for decades.
Billy Mays Death: What Really Happened?
- Date: June 28, 2009, at his Tampa, Florida home.
- Cause: Doctors said Billy Mays died from hypertensive heart disease-high-blood pressure-based heart failure.
- Additional Findings: Small amounts of cocaine showed up in his blood, yet that was not why he died.
- Public Reaction: Fans and the whole infomercial world were stunned, and the news spread everywhere, honoring his work.
- Autopsy Details: The medical team saw no signs of injury or poison; the heart trouble stood out as the main problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Billy Mays worth when he died?
He had an estimated $10 million from product endorsements, royalties, and his own marketing company.
What was the cause of the death of Billy Mays?
The autopsy found that he passed away due to hypertensive heart disease.
Who inherited Billy Mays fortune?
His wife, Deborah, and their son took over his estate and the future streaming royalties.
Who took over for Billy Mays?
After Mays died, Anthony Sullivan stepped in to keep the infomercial business going.
Conclusion
Billy Mays lived and worked with a kind of energy most people only dream about, and that rare spark completely flipped how products are sold on TV. By the time he passed away, his net worth was estimated at around $10 million, showing just how good he was at business and at winning people over. More than the gadgets he pushed, he gave pop culture a colorful story and a spot in marketing history that wont fade anytime soon. Even today, hearing Hi, Billy Mays here! proves he was, without question, the king of the TV pitch.
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