Who is Keith Raniere?

Keith Allen Raniere, famously known as Keith Allen Raniere, is an American felon and also the founder of NXIVM. NXIVM is a multi-level marketing company and even a cult that is based in Albany, New York. The cult gained a lot of popularity from 1998 but faced multiple accusations of sexual abuse of female members by Raniere. Keith has also been convicted of crimes including sex trafficking of children, forced labor, due to which he was sentenced to 120 years on October 27, 2020.

Quick Info
Full NameKeith Allen Raniere
Date of BirthAugust 26, 1960
Birth PlaceBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
Parent(s)James Raniere and Vera Oschypko
ProfessionFounder of NXIVM
Criminal ChargesSex trafficking,
Racketeering,
Forced labor conspiracy,
Attempted sex trafficking,
Wire fraud conspiracy,
Racketeering conspiracy,
Criminal StatusConvicted on all charges, Sentenced to 120 years
Partner(s)Toni Natalie (1992–1999)
Barbara Bouchey (2000–2009)
Kristin Keeffe (c. 2007–2014)

Early Life

Keith Raniere was born in Brooklyn, United States, to a middle-class family. He was born on August 26, 1960. His father, James Raniere, was a New York City advertiser and his mother, Vera Oschypko, was a ballroom dance instructor. At the age of 5, Keith’s family moved to Suffern, New York. When he was about 16 years old, his mother Vera died, and after her death, he moved to Albany region New York. Although Keith claims that he was a bright student, the investigation showed that he graduated from high school at 18 after dropping out when he was 16.

Before graduating from high school, Keith Raniere joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute because the institution didn’t require a graduation certificate to take students in. From the institute, he majored in Math’s, Physics, and Biology and also minored in psychology and philosophy. Keith started a company in the early 90s called Consumer’s Buy line, which later shut down due to frauds, and Keith was forced to work several jobs in New York. In the late 90s, Lee came up with the idea of NXIVM and founded the organization with Nancy Salzman.

Keith Raniere

Career

In the 1980s, Keith Raniere was working in a network marketing company ‘Amway.’ In 1990, he established his own MLM company ‘Consumers’ Buy line Inc..’ After three years, the company was shut down because it was using the Pyramid Scheme. In 1994, Keith founded ‘National Health Network,’ a vitamin seller company, but the business failed. Keith is the leader, and co-founder of the private company ‘NXIMV.’ The organization conducts seminars on the members’ and participants’ personal and professional growth. Keith co-founded the organization in 1998. The Company recruited members regularly from the start.

In 2002, Keith Raniere and his partner recruited members from the ‘Bronfman family,’ the heirs to billion-dollar company ‘Seagram Company Ltd..’ They became his primary funders. The company cum cult leader Raniere is said to be responsible for the death and disappearance of Gina Hutchinson and Kristin Snyder. In 2003, Forbes magazine featured Keith on its cover page and was written as ‘The World’s Strangest Executive coach.’ And his article described his Cult and his business schemes. In 2005, Keith was in around $70 million loss due to commodities trading. The loss was covered by the billionaire Bronfman sisters.

In 2009, Keith Raniere was involved with the ‘Dalai Lama.’ Raniere co-authored the book ‘The Sphinx and Thelxiepeia’ with him. In 2017, it was found that Raniere had a secret sorority called DOS. It was a brand that branded women as ‘slaves’ and wrote Raniere’s initials in the members’ body using hot ‘Cauterizing Pen.’ After that, an arrest warrant was filed for him. He was arrested from Mexico in the 2018 march for sexual slavery and trafficking charges. Keith Raniere was given a federal trial on May 7, 2019. And on June 19, 2019, Keith was found guilty of sexual exploitation, child pornography, sex trafficking, forced labor, and fraud. On 27th October 2020, Keith was sentenced to 120 years imprisonment.

Keith Raniere

Personal Life

Keith Raniere was first known to be in a relationship with Toni Natalie in the year 1992. Their relationship ended in 1999. Natalie has spoken out about her experience with Keith and has claimed that she was a victim of harassment. After Natalie, Keith was reported to be with Barbara Bouchey in 2000, but it ended about nine years later in 2009. Bouchey was also a high-ranking member of the cult. She claims that she got involved with the group in the early 2000s. Bouchey also said that she started liking Raniere due to his quiet and unassuming nature.

From 2007 to 2014, Keith Raniere was known to be in a relationship with Kristin Keeffe, a loyal former member of the cult. Keeffe and Keith also had a child together, but she was forced to keep her pregnancy secret because Keith did not want women from getting pregnant. Keith is still not married. 

Keith Raniere

Age, Height, Nationality and other facts

Born on August 26, 1960, Keith Raniere is 60 years old (at writing). Being born in America, Keith is an American. He stands at 5 feet 7 feet tall that is 1.74 meters or 174 centimeters. Keith weighs about 75 kg (165 lbs.). He has black hair and brown hair and has an average body build. Keith’s body measurement is 44-37-39 inches. 

 

Net Worth

Even though he has gone through many controversies, his organization NXIVM gained a lot of popularity and followers. His net worth is estimated to be $2 million.

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