Dean Barker, 49, is a New Zealand yachtsman internationally famous for participating in America’s Cup yacht races. He is also known for being a significant shareholder in Kiwi Yachting Consultant.
Barker was born in New Zealand’s Takapuna in 1973. The sailor attended Westlake Boys High School for his education.
In February 2004, Barker tied knots and exchanged vows with his wife, Mandy Smith, a former field hockey representative for New Zealand. The couple has four kids: one son, Matteo, and three daughters, Mia, Olivia, and Isla.
Recently he has made headlines after he revealed that he has cancer and has been fighting it for a long time.
Dean Barker Illness – Does He Have Cancer?
In the run-up to last America’s Cup, Dean Barker reported that he survived and overcame Bowel cancer while training with American Magic, according to Stuff.
Regarding the team, the Kiwi sailing pro said Terry Hutchinson, the skipper, and owner of American Magic, was the only one who understood what he was going through.
Terry Hutchinson, an American sailor, is an eleven-time world champion in the Corel 45, J/24, TP 52, Farr 40, and IMS classes and a successful Louis Vuitton Cup strategist. He received the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award in 2008 and 2014. Additionally, he has participated in five America’s Cup campaigns.
Bowel cancer, sometimes called colorectal cancer, arises from the lining of the bowel and is generally preceded by growths known as polyps. If left untreated, polyps can progress into aggressive cancer. Depending on where the disease first manifests, it may also be referred to as colon or rectal cancer.
Moreover, The chance of surviving bowel cancer for at least five years is 70%.
Where Is Dean Barker Today? More On His Health Update
Dean Barker has been living a healthy lifestyle after overcoming bowel cancer. Despite continuing to sail peacefully in a low-key lifestyle, Barker currently resides in Auckland and has enjoyed introducing his kids to the sport.
Along with good friends and former Cup competitors Tony Rae, Jeremy Lomas, Ray Davies, Richard Meacham, James Dagg, and Chris Ward, he recently skippered Danger Zone to a second consecutive Young 88 national victory, fifth overall.
He participated in the Prada Cup helmsman of the American Magic in 2021. But his team was beaten 0-4 in the semifinals by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
How Rich Is Dean Barker In 2022? His Net Worth Explained
Dean Baker has an estimated net worth of above $1.1 million. He has earned a good fortune from his career as a sailor.
According to Glassdoor, The national average salary for a Sailor is $70,000 annually in New Zealand.
Barker began sailing at a young age, beginning with Optimist and P Class craft before moving on to Lasers and Finns.
In 1995, Russell Coutts encouraged Barker to train with Team New Zealand, and that was how Barker first became familiar with America’s Cup. However, he declined to go to San Diego in favor of an Olympic campaign. Although he was not a part of the successful challenge, he joined the squad as a permanent member once the cup arrived in Auckland.
The sailor was named the CEO and captain of the Japanese challenger, Softbank Team Japan, on May 21, 2015. Moreover, Barker served as the captain of the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic America’s Cup challenger in 2021.
Barker also has a massive shareholding in Kiwi Yachting Consultants.