Below Deck follows the lives of the young staff that struggle to keep the yacht's wealthy clients happy while at the same time managing their own interpersonal relationships on the vessel. The true pillar of the hit reality television show is the lovable Captain, affectionately known as 'The Stud Of The Sea.'
Captain Lee Rosbach takes a no-nonsense approach when it comes to operating his vessel and watching over his crew. Fans see a lot of the captain on the show, but the truth behind what his life is really like when he's off the yacht is sure to shock many. There are more than a few fun facts about Captain Lee that will keep fans on their toes...
10 Yachting Wasn't Captain Lee Rosbach's First Passion
Captain Lee Rosbach seems like a natural who was born into this role, but the truth is, being a Captain wasn't Lee Rosbach's first career choice. In fact, he was initially a very successful restaurateur. The Michigan-native managed a number of restaurants in the Turks & Caicos and was very happy with his career choice. That all changed when one of his friends invited him to work on a sailboat for some extra cash. It was at this time that Lee recognized his passion for being at sea.
9 Lee Rosbach Gave Up His Career To Become A Captain
At the age of 35, it seemed Lee had his life in order. He had a happy marriage and was thriving in his career as a restaurateur, but he suddenly made a huge career change and opted to train to become a captain, at the age of 35. He worked hard and quickly obtained his license. It wasn't long before he was yachting and pursuing a dramatically different lifestyle, which eventually led him to taking on the leading role in Below Deck.
8 Captain Lee Rosbach Is A Stickler For Safety
There's a lot of chaotic fun that ensues on the yacht, most of which hovers on the edge of being downright wild. There is definitely no shortage of drunken fun and wild parties for the crew and guests on Below Deck to enjoy, but Captain Lee is far more focused on other things to get too caught up in the chaos. He is a real stickler for safety and consistently puts the health and well-being of everyone on board his vessel above all else.
7 Lee Rosbach's Huge Family
Captain Lee has a huge, loving family, and he looks forward to being surrounded by them each time he returns home. He has been married to his adoring wife, Mary, for nearly five decades, and the two enjoy a closely bonded marriage. They share five children - four sons, and a daughter. Recently, Captain Lee became not only a grandfather, but a great-grandfather too, and he beamed with pride while he shared this news on social media.
6 Captain Lee Rosbach's Wife
Captain Lee's wife is quite possibly his biggest fan and supporter. When he told her he was giving up his successful career in the restaurant industry, she fully supported his choice and stood behind him in support of his new job opportunity. Mary rallied around her husband despite the fact that his job took him away from home and left her alone a lot of the time. She has commented on that by indicating that "absence really does make the heart grow fonder."
5 Captain Lee Tragically Lost His Youngest Son
Sadly, Captain Lee Rosbach suffered a tragic loss in July 2019, when news broke that his youngest son, named Josh, passed away at the age of 42. Josh had a steady job and was sufficiently integrated in society, but behind the scenes, he was struggling with substance abuse and was working towards his sobriety. Unfortunately, he succumbed to an accidental drug overdose, and his entire family was left reeling in shock and dismay at his sudden loss.
4 Captain Lee Rosbach's Stolen Identity And False Bankruptcy
Someone out there has hate for Captain Lee Rosbach, and tried to mess with him in a very big way. It is alleged that someone stole his identity and proceeded to put through a false bankruptcy claim. For a while, it seemed as though Captain Lee would be on the hook for the bankruptcy claim, which was already in full swing, but he put plans in motion to defend his position. Sources reveal there is now a full-fledged investigation into the matter, and chances are, the bankruptcy will soon be thrown out.
3 Captain Lee Rosbach's Impressive Net Worth
Captain Lee Rosbach has been a hardworking man for the majority of his life. The 71-year-old reality television star has dedicated the last several years of his life to the filming of Below Deck, and it's clear that this has truly paid off. He currently has an estimated $800,000 net worth, which continues to grow with the passing of each season.
2 Lee Rosbach Used To Be A Boxer
Many fans will be surprised to learn that Lee used to be a boxer when he was in his 20s. He had even participated in the Michigan State Finals when he was younger. The healthy eating habits and workout motivation have stuck with Captain Lee to today. He continues to push himself to work out and meet his own personal challenges and is obsessive when it comes to keeping up with his clean lifestyle.
1 Captain Lee Rosbach's Book
Captain Lee can now add 'author' to his impressive resume. He worked hard to pen his own book, which was released in 2018 under the title, "Running Against The Tide: Tale From The Stud of The Sea." His story tells the tale about his journey from Michigan to the high seas and talks about the most interesting moments that have unfolded on the yacht during the course of his time on Below Deck.
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