Barbara Ann Corcoran

 Barbara Ann Corcoran was a speaker, investor, and businesswoman from the United States. The Corcoran Group was a New York City real estate brokerage that she founded. NRT purchased it for $66 million in 2001. Corcoran later left the company. Corcoran has participated in 12 episodes of ABC's Shark Tank seasons. Corcoran had signed 53 contracts until February of 2020. The biggest deal she signed was her investment of $350,000 in Coverplay with a 40% stake. Corcoran, who was the second of 10 children from a Catholic family with a low-income was born in Edgewater in New Jersey. Florence Corcoran was Florence's mother and also a housekeeper. Her father, Edwin W. Corcoran Jr. moved from job to job during Corcoran's childhood. Her family sometimes depended on free food delivery from a local, friendly grocery store. Corcoran recalls her father, who was a drunk at times too much, and behaved towards her mother in a manner that was disrespectful and condescendingly, particularly after he'd had some drinks. Corcoran struggled with her education and was later diagnosed with dyslexia. Corcoran was educated at a Catholic elementary school, and later began high school in Englewood at St. Cecilia High School. Corcoran completed her studies at Leonia High School with a diploma in English, despite not completing several classes in her first year.