Dave Ramsey, born David Lawrence Ramsey III in 1960, is a prominent American personal finance personality, radio show host, and author. Raised in Tennessee, he developed an early interest in real estate, building a significant portfolio in his twenties before experiencing personal bankruptcy in 1988. This pivotal event profoundly shaped his financial philosophy and became the driving force behind his life's work. Following his bankruptcy, Ramsey began offering financial counseling based on biblical principles from his church, leading him to found The Lampo Group (now Ramsey Solutions) in 1991. Ramsey is best known for his syndicated radio program and podcast, "The Ramsey Show," where he provides common-sense financial advice, often referred to as "tough love," to callers seeking guidance on debt, budgeting, and wealth building. His core message centers around living debt-free, utilizing his famous "Baby Steps" plan as a roadmap to financial peace. He is a prolific author, with multiple national bestselling books including "The Total Money Makeover." Beyond his media presence, Ramsey Solutions offers a wide array of financial education programs, digital tools like the EveryDollar budgeting app, coaching services, and live events like Financial Peace University and EntreLeadership summits, aiming to equip individuals and businesses with money management and leadership skills. While his direct, faith-informed approach has garnered millions of followers, he has also faced criticism and controversies regarding his business practices, company culture, and stances on certain economic topics, yet his influence on the debt-free movement in personal finance remains significant.