Diane Plese is a Canadian ophthalmologist, but she is perhaps more widely recognized as the former spouse of Robert Herjavec, a prominent Canadian entrepreneur and television personality known for his long-standing role on the ABC show Shark Tank, which he joined in 2009.
Born in Toronto, Canada to Croatian immigrants in 1959, she possesses dual Canadian and Croatian nationality.
Diane’s connection with Herjavec began in a professional setting in the late 1980s when he, then a young 26-year-old, came into her office for an eye appointment.
Diane has shared that her attraction to Robert was immediate, drawn in by his infectious enthusiasm and zest for life. “He’s so excited about life. How can you not want to be with someone who is so happy and motivated?” she once remarked about their first meeting.
Their relationship quickly blossomed from a professional acquaintance to a romantic involvement, leading to their marriage in 1990. Together, Diane and Robert welcomed three children into their lives: two daughters, Skye and Caprice, and a son, Brendan.
However, after nearly a quarter-century together, the couple’s journey came to an end. Diane and Robert separated in July 2014, and their divorce was finalized in early 2016.
Although the former couple didn’t reveal the reason for their separation, some reports, including one by the Toronto Sun, suggest that the Shark Tank star’s alleged affair with American actress Danielle Vasinova in 2013 contributed to the strain on their marriage, which reportedly ended in 2015.
Their Divorce And Financial Settlements
Diane and Robert Herjavec’s highly publicized divorce was finalized in 2016. Diane made it clear that the reasons for their separation would remain private, despite widespread media interest.
She emphasized that while Robert was a dedicated husband and father, she could no longer live with him. This was officially stated when Diane filed for divorce in March 2015, after their legal separation.
The divorce proceedings were complicated and involved significant financial settlements. A judge ruled that Robert would pay Diane $125,000 monthly in spousal support. Additionally, the financial terms included Diane receiving a total of $25 million, which covered an equalization payment of $2.6 million.
Anticipated funds from the sale of their luxurious properties, including their Florida home and a ski chalet in Caledon, also contributed to this amount. Diane was entitled to one-third of the proceeds from the sale of the Caledon property.
During this time, Robert experienced personal struggles and admitted to having a difficult year. He even faced a brief period when his children stopped speaking to him, which he found extremely hard. He struggled with such deep despair that he considered ending his own life.
Her Three Children with Ex-Husband
The former husband and wife have three children together from their marriage. The eldest, Brendan Herjavec, was born in 1993. Following him, their first daughter, Skye Herjavec, arrived in 1996 and the youngest, Caprice Herjavec, was born in 1998.
Each of these children has grown up under the unique circumstances of having a well-known public figure as a father, shaping their individual paths in life with the values instilled by both parents.
Brendan Herjavec
Brendan earned a marketing degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. He furthered his studies in Behavioral Sciences at the Yale School of Management. Brendan completed his MBA at The University of British Columbia
He has held several significant roles throughout his career, as outlined in his LinkedIn profile. Brendan currently serves as a Member at Pavilion and mentors at Wilfrid Laurier University’s StartUp Lab.
Additionally, he is an advisor at Diaryz, a social network for unpaid family caregivers. Previously, he was the Director of Revenue Operations at FundThrough and held a strategic role in revenue operations at Inkblot Therapy by GreenShield Health. He started working in Inkblot in May 2020 and worked there until March 2024.
His earlier positions include Manager of Business Development & Strategic Growth and Client Manager, both focused on fostering business growth and client relationships.
Outside of work, Brendan hosts a podcast called Building Blocks With Brendan Herjavec, where he interviews entrepreneurs about their experiences and future ambitions. His personal life garnered attention when he announced his engagement on Instagram in April 2022, sharing his excitement about marrying his best friend, Jessica. The couple married in January 2024.
Skye Herjavec
Skye studied at Havergal College, a notable day and boarding school for girls in Toronto, where she was involved in the cross-country team. She lived in Toronto’s affluent Bridle Path neighborhood during this time, as reported by Toronto Life.
Skye pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California, where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Management. During her college years, she was part of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Skye keeps a private personal profile and is not active on public social media platforms. Professionally, she worked as an investment banking analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co at least until 2019.
Caprice Herjavec
Caprice, the youngest child of Diane and Robert, gained a unique experience at the age of 14 when she briefly served as “Mayor for a Day” in Toronto. During her day at city hall, she expressed a concern for improving the city’s subway system, emphasizing its environmental benefits.
Regarding her education, Caprice attended Havergal College. She started rowing in her senior year, a sport she continued at Barnard College of Columbia University, serving as a coxswain for the women’s rowing team. Her interest in rowing was sparked by a friend’s suggestion, given her lifelong involvement in athletics, including swimming and running.
Caprice values her privacy, keeping her personal life away from public social media platforms. She has transitioned into a professional role as a consultant for Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. in New York City, joining the firm in 2020 after her graduation.
Where is Diane Plese Now?
Since her divorce from Robert Herjavec, Diane has chosen to maintain a private lifestyle, stepping away from the media spotlight. With the substantial alimony she received it’s likely that Diane is doing well financially. This privacy allows her to lead a quiet and possibly fulfilling life without public scrutiny.
In contrast, her ex-husband Herjavec has continued to remain in the public eye. He married his second wife, Australian ballroom dancer Kym Johnson-Herjavec, whom he met on the TV show Dancing With The Stars. Together, they have expanded their family with the arrival of twins, Hudson and Haven May Herjavec, born in April 2018.
