Rick Lagina: “It’s True, We Found The Treasure And Sold It!”
Rick Lagina: "It's True, We Found The Treasure And Sold It!"
Do use ad my new best friend over the past year. This is the second coin found on Lot 5 that has been verified to be more than 1,000 years old and of Roman origin. The questions now are: when were they brought to Oak Island, and who? That has to be context with the fact that, in Nova Scotia, the maritime history—there, conquistadors, pirates, privateers, Captain Kidd—there’s this belief that treasure was deposited.
Rick Lagina had just found the treasure. This shocking discovery turned the Oak Island team’s treasure hunt into a gold mine, their story echoing childhood dreams of finding hidden riches, captivating the world. As you can see, there are a number of targets around, but those are probably the two most interesting. After years of finding nothing, one phone call from Prometheus Entertainment changed everything, sparking a TV series that turned their luck around. Was this the moment that made their dream come true? Let’s explore how a simple quest led to an incredible payoff.
Oak Island’s lucrative secret: When you look at the story of Oak Island, it’s easy to see why it caught the interest of so many people around the world. Many of us remember searching for hidden treasures as kids, so we can relate to the efforts of the Lagina brothers and the Oak Island team. Even though it seemed like they might end up like many others who found nothing, it appears that they might have finally discovered the riches they had been searching for.
Just as they celebrated, the ground shook, unveiling a secret chamber that could change everything. The real turning point came when Prometheus Entertainment contacted the Oak Island team in the early 2000s. And 10—look at it, it’s the world’s longest running treasure hunt, okay? And why do people think there’s treasure on Oak Island? Oh boy, oh, that’s…that’s how much time you have?
They wanted to create a TV series that would follow the Lagina brothers and their team as they searched the island for the rumored treasure. But that wasn’t the hardest part. With the money and resources in place, the Lagina brothers and their partners were able to achieve some success right from the first season of the show. The series quickly gained popularity, leading to multiple season renewals and even a spin-off called Beyond Oak Island. These successes proved that the network’s gamble on the Lagina brothers was a smart one.
The show stayed on air for about 11 seasons, with nearly 200 episodes over the years. By sharing their adventure with the world, the Lagina brothers allowed viewers to experience the highs and lows of their treasure hunt on Oak Island. As the show progressed, Rick Lagina gained a lot of respect from both the crew and the audience. He took on more responsibilities, becoming a director and producer for many of the episodes. This hard work paid off, not just in recognition, but also in wealth. By early 2024, Rick’s net worth had grown to $10 million.
Meanwhile, Marty used his talents as an engineer, producer, and entrepreneur to build a similar fortune. But this wasn’t the end of their success. Both brothers also appeared on various talk shows, including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The original oaks—the umbrella oaks—these large canopied oaks, all of them must perish, must die on the island, and that seven people must die, and then the treasure will be revealed. All of the oaks currently are dead, and six people have tragically perished in pursuit of the treasure.
These appearances helped boost their fame and fortune even more, showing just how far their televised treasure hunt had taken them. Marty, who made a lot of money through engineering, natural gas, and television, also earns a great deal from his real estate investments. He owns two large properties in Kingsford, Michigan, and Cleveland, and has other properties in cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York. This shows how Marty has built a successful and profitable career over time. But it hasn’t been an easy road for him. He’s faced a lot of opposition, especially from groups connected to the oil and gas industry. Marty told Randall Sullivan, the author of The Curse of Oak Island, about the various obstacles he encountered in his work. This reminds us that having money doesn’t mean you’re free from challenges.
Next week, see how Alex steps up in the family’s treasure hunting business: the legacy of Alex Lagina. Despite these difficulties, Marty finds some comfort in seeing his son Alex Lagina make his own way in the world of reality TV. Alex joined the cast of The Curse of Oak Island and quickly became a well-known figure on the show. Born in 1987 in Traverse City, Michigan, Alex made a big impact when he joined his father on the island. He soon became a fan favorite because of his frequent appearances. He played a key role as the team uncovered artifacts that are hundreds of years old.
The Laginas’ dedication to uncovering the island’s history is clear. Since the show aired in January 2012, it has followed the Lagina brothers and their team as they tirelessly search for the hidden rumored treasure. Over seven seasons and 51 episodes, Alex has shown just how important his engineering skills, passed down from his father, really are. He’s not just digging—he’s helping with major discoveries on the show. But this wasn’t the toughest part. Alex’s work shows how capable and committed the people on this team are as they try to achieve what has remained a mystery for over 200 years.
The mystery of Oak Island is fascinating enough to draw viewers in, even without the Lagina brothers. Without them, the show could probably still stand on its own, thanks to the island’s history and the artifacts found there. However, it’s clear that the personal dedication and expertise of the Lagina brothers and their team are key to the show’s success. Like many of his relatives, Alex wears many hats when it comes to business—not just on Oak Island. A magnetometer hit is not going to be enough; we need Tony or Lee to see something, a cannon, a coin, timbers from a ship, something on the bottom.
He’s deeply involved in a few different ventures. For example, he helps run his family’s vineyard and plays a part in a company that makes wind turbines. Even on Oak Island, his business side shines through as he manages the Oak Island Tours company, giving fans a chance to explore the island’s treasure hunting history firsthand. All these roles have helped him build an impressive fortune, estimated to be around $50 million. Some of his wealth probably comes from his work on documentary series like The Curse of Civil War Gold, which shows how passionate his family is about treasure hunting.
Even though he’s making a name for himself separate from his father, Alex stays busy and active, putting to rest any rumors or speculation. He continues to be a key player in his family’s businesses while managing to keep his personal life private. Even as he becomes more well-known, this privacy likely helps him focus and maintain his growing wealth without getting distracted. Alex’s hard work suggests a strong and possibly even bigger financial future ahead.
The Lagina family’s success over the years might not have been possible without the support of Marty’s lifelong friend Craig Tester. Marty and Craig have been friends since their college days, when they lived in the same dorm at Michigan Technological University. Craig’s involvement in the show and his expertise in business and engineering have not only earned him a solid reputation as a treasure hunter but also contributed greatly to his wealth. His varied skills continue to add value to both his life and career, but that’s not the most surprising part.
Despite their success, the team faces constant challenges and setbacks in their treasure hunts, reminding us that even with expertise and resources, the journey is never easy. Now let’s see how Craig’s skills push their quest even further—the ultimate high-stakes hunt. Craig Tester’s solid background in reality TV is due to his engineering skills. He played a key role in starting Heritage Sustainable Energy with his good friend Marty Lagina, which shows that he’s a great example for anyone interested in careers in oil, gas, treasure hunting, and even reality TV.
Craig and Marty didn’t just work together in the oil and gas industry—they also teamed up for treasure hunting. Craig’s expertise in drilling and understanding underground layers has been crucial to their projects, helping them succeed in the oil and gas field. These skills also helped him build strong connections with networks like A&E and the History Channel. Being part of The Curse of Oak Island team has not only shown his creativity and talent for TV production, but it has also significantly boosted his finances.
His involvement in different businesses highlights his sharp skills and explains his success in both entertainment and energy. When it comes to money, it’s tricky to say exactly how much reality TV stars like Craig earn, but it’s clear that those on successful shows usually make good money, which helps the show’s success and boosts their own financial growth. Both networks and stars see the potential for making money through these projects. Craig earns a steady income from the show, which also raises his public profile. This visibility is helpful as he looks to grow his wealth even more.
On top of that, his choice to invest in real estate beyond just oil, gas, and TV has been financially rewarding, allowing him to build significant wealth in different areas. If you read that, the records of them originally finding the money pit, you know, every 10 feet or so they’d hit a platform. They thought the vault was sitting on a platform, and this, you know, 3-inch diameter piece of wood, to me, could definitely have been one of those pieces of wood from the platform.
But this isn’t the whole story. There’s more to Craig’s journey, especially when you consider how he navigates challenges in these industries. Thanks to his rental properties, he’s been able to bring in a good amount of money. He’s definitely happy to own assets that keep going up in value, which helps improve his overall financial situation. With Tester’s history of success, both fans and financial experts have been curious about his next moves. They’re interested in seeing how his wealth might grow in the future.
It’s interesting to have personalities like the Laginas and Craig Tester on the show, but it’s also important to remember Dan Blankenship, a key historical figure. Dan wasn’t just known for his long experience as a treasure hunter, but also for his deep connection to the famous island, which he explored for over 50 years. During that time, he built up a net worth of about $1 million, much of which came from his involvement with the Curse of Oak Island TV show and its team.
However, despite his and others’ efforts, Dan never managed to find the hidden treasure on the island. Dan’s reputation and status only grew with the show, making him a beloved and respected figure. With the money he made from the show and other ventures, he was able to take care of his family throughout his life. It’s clear that the success of the show not only gave its stars a comfortable lifestyle but also greatly increased their fortunes.
Let’s move to Gary Drayton, whose treasure hunting skills keep the excitement alive. The treasure hunter’s pursuit: Gary Drayton became well known for his role on the TV show Curse of Oak Island. He’s a skilled metal detector expert and treasure hunter, quickly becoming an essential part of the series. Like the Lagina brothers, Gary had a deep love for treasure hunting from a young age. This passion resonated with many viewers who shared his excitement for discovering hidden treasures.
His calm nature, persistence, and determination are qualities admired by all treasure hunters, and these traits have helped him find many historical artifacts over the years. It’s hard to find anyone who doubts his skill in locating objects buried underground. As time went on, fans learned that Gary’s journey was quite different from his early life in England. He was born on May 30th, 1961, and even though he completed his education, he couldn’t ignore his calling to become a skilled metal detectorist.
Before he became famous, Gary spent several years in Grimsby, his hometown, working as a bottle digger. In this job, he searched through old pits and riverbanks, finding antique bottles, clay pipes, and other interesting items—some dating back to Roman times. Eventually, Gary moved to South Florida, where he searched the beaches for items washed ashore. His work there significantly contributed to the team’s many important discoveries on Oak Island, including gold rings, jewelry, coins, and even items from Spanish galleons.
His persistence and expertise not only earned him the respect of viewers, but also caught the attention of TV producers. Soon, Gary started making guest appearances on different shows, which eventually led to his role as the go-to metal detector expert on the most popular treasure hunting show in the United States. “Billy, hold up straight at the book—what we got here? First sweep, first artifact!”
But this wasn’t the most surprising part. His fame and work on the show helped him build a net worth of about $3 million. A large part of this might be from his discovery of a stunning 3,000-year-old emerald ring, valued at around $500,000. These finds show not just the financial rewards of his career, but also the rich historical value of the items he’s uncovered, securing his place as a celebrated figure in the world of treasure hunting and beyond.
Gary Drayton doesn’t just make money from using a metal detector. He also earns from his books. In these, he shares his tips on finding metal objects on beaches and underwater, helping beginners learn the ropes in hopes of discovering their own treasures. Gary is well known for his talent in treasure hunting, but let’s not forget Jack Begley, an important member of the Oak Island team. Jack’s net worth is around $5 million, thanks to his various income sources, including his role on the reality TV show The Curse of Oak Island.
You might wonder what Jack does on Oak Island. He often works alongside Gary, helping with the metal detector or diving into the cold, dark waters to find artifacts that might lead them to hidden treasures. But that’s not all. Jack is also skilled with drones and scuba gear, making him a crucial part of the team. Jack is not just about treasure hunting, though. In 2018, he co-founded Remote Energy Solutions, a company focused on bringing sustainable energy to remote parts of the United States.
Despite his business ventures, Jack has remained dedicated to his role as a producer on the show since 2015. As the team digs deeper, their resolve grows, hinting at more discoveries ahead. The team’s determination to uncover Oak Island secrets only grows stronger with time. Their adventure started when Daniel McGinnis found a sunken spot that later became known as the original pit. Ever since then, many have scoured the island, driven by legends of buried treasures waiting to be discovered. Many people are curious about where the hidden wealth on the island comes from.
Some think it was left behind by Captain Kidd, a famous pirate, while others believe it could be the lost treasures of the Knights Templar. Over the years, different items have been found that seem to support these theories, even if they sound a bit wild. But despite these interesting discoveries, the real treasure that so many adventurers have been searching for is still nowhere to be found. The ongoing search has led some people to question what the treasure hunters are really after.
Some viewers of the television series wonder if the money earned from the show is distracting the Lagina brothers and their team from truly focusing on finding the treasure. However, Rick Lagina has made it clear that if they ever realize the treasure can’t be found, they’re ready to end their search. As time goes on, everyone is eager to see what happens next. For now, all we can do is keep watching and hope that the Lagina brothers and their team will eventually find the hidden treasures of Oak Island.
The Lagina brothers, who lead the team, have taken advantage of this popularity by securing different types of funding to keep their digging projects going. The entire operation has become very profitable. Beyond just looking for treasure, it also creates jobs for locals and supports regional companies by hiring them for various services. Might be something special about this. Over brilliant start! Good start, that’s for sure. All right, we are really hot to trot—from digging to transportation, which helps boost the local economy. This includes everything from operating heavy machinery to providing transport services, turning the treasure hunt into a large business initiative that benefits many people in the community.
But that’s not the end of the story. Every new discovery on the island keeps people interested and brings in more investment. Whether it’s old coins or pieces of ancient jewelry, each find adds more mystery and potential value to the ongoing activities on Oak Island, which in turn increases the show’s appeal and the connected business ventures. These efforts ensure that even if the main treasure is never found, the hunt’s economic and entertainment value stays strong, making it a worthwhile venture in many ways. This wide-ranging approach helps keep people interested in what’s happening on Oak Island, promising continued financial and viewer support for years to come.
These adventures have brought together a mix of people, each with their own reasons for joining—whether it’s the thrill of discovery, the challenge of solving historical puzzles, or simply the hope of making money. As they continue their quest, the mysteries of Oak Island keep them united in their shared goal. Even though it’s a tough and uncertain journey, it provides a fascinating story for people around the world to follow. But the real challenge isn’t just the obstacles they face—moments of unexpected joy too, which keeps them going in this quest against the unknown.