You may know Marcus Lemonis from TV shows like The Profit or as the boss behind huge companies like Camping World. But have you ever wondered about the woman beside him?
Her name is Roberta Raffel, but most people call her Bobbi. She’s not just Marcus Lemonis’ wife. She’s a smart, stylish, and bold woman who had her own fashion business long before meeting him. In fact, she once walked up to Marcus at a trade show and asked him to buy her company — and that one moment changed everything.
In this article, we’ll take you through her real story. From her early life and career to her love story with Marcus and the inspiring life she lives today. It’s a story full of big moves, love, and strong family values. Let’s get started.
Roberta Raffel Quick Bio
| Full Name | Roberta “Bobbi” Raffel |
| Nickname | Bobbi Lemonis |
| Birthday | September 21, 1953 |
| Age (2025) | 72 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.71 m) |
| Weight | 59–60 kg (130 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Parents | Kenneth and Millicent Fenchel |
| Siblings | Stephen and Micky |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Marcus Lemonis (m. 2018) |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
| Grandchildren | Yes |
| Career | Fashion Businesswoman |
| Past Company | Runway Boutique |
| Current Projects | Shopmarc, ML Fashion Group |
| Big Investment | $1.3M in Camping World |
| Foundation | Lemon-AID Foundation (co-founder) |
| Net Worth | Around $50 million |
| Lives In | Chicago, New York, California |
| Social Media | @bobbilemonis (Instagram) |
| Known For | Being Marcus Lemonis’ wife, and bold business moves |
Roberta Raffel’s Early Life and Family
Roberta Raffel was born and raised in the United States. She grew up in a warm and close-knit family. Her father, Kenneth Fenchel, was a proud World War II veteran. After his military service, he worked for over 30 years in the lamp industry in Chicago. Her mother, Millicent, was loving and supportive, and both parents played a big part in shaping Roberta’s values.
Roberta was the eldest of three siblings. She has a brother named Stephen and a sister named Micky. She often talks about how much her family meant to her growing up and how much she learned by watching her father work hard every single day.
Even after both her parents passed away (her dad in 2013 and her mom in 2018), Roberta keeps their memory alive. She shares touching birthday tributes and family photos on Instagram, always showing love and gratitude for the life lessons they gave her.
Growing Up with Big Dreams
From a young age, Roberta was full of curiosity. She loved fashion, but not just the clothes — she was interested in how things were done behind the scenes. She liked organizing, planning, and understanding what people wanted to wear. These little interests later became the heart of her career.
She wasn’t handed everything in life. Roberta worked for what she had. She watched her father stay consistent and dedicated, and she followed that same path. She believed that success doesn’t come overnight. You build it, step by step.
Her story is a great reminder that even the biggest journeys start with small, quiet dreams — like a young girl who loved fashion and worked hard to make it something more.
Roberta Raffel’s Career in Fashion
Roberta didn’t just wake up one day and become successful. She started from the bottom — working behind the scenes in the fashion world. Her early jobs included sales management for fashion groups and logistics for modeling agencies. She helped with runway shows, handled merchandise, and managed busy fashion events.
This wasn’t easy work. It involved long days, last-minute changes, and staying calm under pressure. But Roberta learned how to solve problems quickly, work with creative people, and understand what made customers happy.
All of these early experiences gave her a deep understanding of the fashion world — not just the beauty of it, but the business side too. She was learning skills that would help her later build something of her own.
Building Her Own Business Before Meeting Marcus
After years of learning, Roberta took a big step. She started her own fashion company. She wanted to build something where she could call the shots — from choosing products to creating the store vibe. That’s how her boutique, Runway, was born. Later, her work also became known under Shopmarc.
Her store sold luxury clothing, accessories, and home goods. But what made it special wasn’t just the items — it was Roberta’s eye for detail. She cared about how people felt when they walked into the store. She wanted them to feel confident, stylish, and seen.
Running a business isn’t easy, but Roberta made it work with passion, patience, and planning. She built a brand that people loved — and that would later lead her to one very important meeting.
How Roberta Raffel Met Marcus Lemonis
In 2016, Roberta went to COTERIE, a big trade show in New York City for fashion businesses. It was filled with buyers, sellers, and entrepreneurs. And among the crowd was Marcus Lemonis, already known for investing in small businesses.
Roberta saw Marcus, walked up to him while he was on the phone, and said something bold: “Buy my business.”
That one sentence changed everything.
Marcus was surprised but impressed. They spoke for a few minutes. Later, they had more talks, and he agreed to buy her business. At first, it was just a deal between two business minds — but their connection didn’t stop there.
They stayed in touch, talked more often, and began to see something special grow between them.
Roberta Raffel and Marcus Lemonis’ Love Story
After that business deal, Roberta and Marcus kept talking. Their bond grew deeper. It wasn’t just about fashion anymore — it became something personal and real.
They started dating, and while their 20-year age difference surprised some people, Roberta and Marcus didn’t let that stop them. They focused on what felt right between them.
Then came Christmas 2017. During a holiday party, Marcus put a ring inside a Secret Santa gift. It was a fun and surprising way to propose — and thankfully, Roberta got the gift! She said yes, and their love story became official.
It was a proposal filled with joy, humor, and heart. And soon, they started planning a wedding that would be just as special.
Inside Their Beautiful Wedding
After the fun and sweet proposal, Roberta Raffel and Marcus Lemonis started planning their wedding. At first, they wanted to get married at their home in Montecito, California. But just weeks before the big day, wildfires and mudslides hit the area. So they had to change plans quickly.
They moved the wedding to Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. And on February 17, 2018, surrounded by close friends and family, they said “I do.” It was a two-day celebration filled with love, laughter, and elegant style.
The wedding had a gold and silver theme. They even had two outfits for the day — one for the ceremony and one for the party. Their first dance was to the song Looking for You from the show Empire. It was a moment full of meaning, showing just how much they enjoy doing life together.
Roberta Raffel’s Children and Family Life Today
Before marrying Marcus, Roberta Raffel had a family of her own. She was once married to a man named Lee Raffel, and together they had two children — a son and a daughter. Now both are grown up and have families of their own.
Roberta is also a proud grandmother. She often shares photos of her grandkids on Instagram — whether they’re celebrating birthdays, enjoying beach days, or just playing at home. These family moments show the warm and caring side of her life.
Marcus Lemonis has also built a strong bond with her children. He’s often seen spending time with them, showing that their blended family is full of love and respect.
Roberta Raffel’s Role in Marcus Lemonis’ Business World
Roberta Raffel is not just a wife — she’s a business partner too. After selling her fashion company to Marcus, she stayed involved in his business world. Together, they run Shopmarc, a store that sells fashion, jewelry, and home decor.
She also worked as a design coordinator on Marcus’s show The Renovator, helping with styling and creative ideas behind the scenes. This shows her continued love for fashion and her ability to handle both style and business with ease.
In 2023, she and Marcus even appeared on Celebrity Family Feud, where they won $25,000 for charity. Whether it’s on TV, in business, or at home — they make a great team.
Roberta Raffel’s Net Worth and Smart Investments
Roberta built her own success long before marrying Marcus Lemonis. Her work in the fashion world and her smart decisions made her financially strong. Today, Roberta Raffel’s net worth is estimated at around $50 million.
One of her boldest moves was investing $1.3 million in Camping World, one of Marcus’s biggest companies. This shows she believes in what they build together — not just emotionally, but financially too.
She is now part of ML Fashion Group, helps run retail stores, and continues to make strong investment decisions. Roberta proves that being successful doesn’t mean being loud. It means being smart, steady, and strong.
Roberta Raffel’s Public Life and Social Media
Roberta is active on Instagram, where she goes by @bobbilemonis. Her page is a mix of business, fashion, and sweet family memories. She shares loving birthday posts for her husband, travel photos, and even emotional tributes to her late parents.
She also uses her platform to promote small brands, share style ideas, and support the causes she cares about. Her online presence is personal and real — you can feel her warmth in every post.
Even though she could live a very private life, she chooses to stay connected and supportive. That’s what makes her different. She’s not chasing fame. She’s sharing her world in a kind and honest way.
Roberta Raffel and Marcus Lemonis’ Philanthropy
Together, Roberta and Marcus believe in giving back. In 2021, they co-founded the Lemon-AID Foundation and gave $50 million to support small business owners, especially women and minorities.
They also donated $15 million to Marquette University to create a student success center. The center offers coaching, tutoring, and career help to students from all backgrounds.
They support causes like Erase Child Trafficking and God’s Love We Deliver, which helps people with serious illnesses. Roberta believes in long-term change, not just one-time giving. Her kindness reaches far and helps many.
What Roberta Raffel’s Life Looks Like in 2025
In 2025, Roberta Raffel continues to live a full and inspiring life. She supports Marcus in his work, travels with him, and stays deeply involved in business and fashion. But she also makes time for family — especially her grandkids, who light up her world.
She lives between homes in Chicago, New York, and California, and enjoys quiet moments just as much as big events. Whether it’s designing a store, planning a charity event, or enjoying coffee at home, Roberta does it all with grace.
Even at 72, she’s still learning, growing, and staying true to herself. That’s what makes her story so special.
Final Thoughts
Roberta Raffel’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to go after what you want. She built her own success in fashion, took bold steps in business, and found love that grew out of respect and shared goals.
She is more than Marcus Lemonis’ wife. She is a businesswoman, a mother, a grandmother, and a quiet force behind many powerful ideas.
Her life shows that strength doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it speaks in actions — in raising a family, running a business, showing up with love, and giving back to the world.
Roberta Raffel’s bold and beautiful life story is one worth remembering. And maybe, just maybe, it will inspire someone else to take that one bold step too.
(FAQs)
How old is Roberta Raffel and when is her birthday?
Roberta Raffel was born on September 21, 1953. She is 72 years old as of 2025.
What is Roberta Raffel’s net worth?
Roberta Raffel’s net worth is about $50 million. She made her money from fashion business and smart investments.
Does Roberta Raffel have kids?
Yes. Roberta Raffel has two children, one son and one daughter. She is also a grandmother.
What is the age difference between Roberta Raffel and Marcus Lemonis?
There is about a 20-year age gap between them. Roberta is older, but their marriage is strong and happy.
When did Roberta Raffel get married and where does she live today?
Roberta Raffel married Marcus Lemonis on February 17, 2018. Today, she lives between Chicago, New York, and California and enjoys a calm life.
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