Biography & Early Wealth Journey

Mike Shouhed became nationally known as one of the original stars of Bravo's "Shahs of Sunset," appearing throughout all nine seasons of the series. His storylines followed his real estate career, repeated attempts to build consumer brands, romantic relationships, marriage, infidelity, and conflicts with other cast members.

Before reality television, Shouhed worked in commercial and residential real estate in Las Vegas. He returned to Los Angeles after suffering substantial losses during the collapse of the Nevada property market and rebuilt his career as an agent, investor, and developer.

Shouhed later participated in the development of a 24-unit East Hollywood apartment project and continued representing residential buyers and sellers through Shouhed Estates and Equity Union. He also launched businesses involving footwear, clothing, moving services, and CBD products. His net worth reflects real estate commissions, development equity, television compensation, appearances, and business income, offset by failed ventures and significant legal expenses.

Primary Income Streams & Multi-Million Contracts

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Early Life

Michael Shouhed was born on October 12, 1978, in Tehran, Iran. His family left Iran following the revolution and settled in the United States.

Shouhed was raised in a Persian-Jewish household in Beverly Hills. He attended Beverly Hills High School before enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied political science and economics.

Real Estate, Luxury Assets & Personal Investments

He briefly considered a legal career but left law school and moved to Las Vegas in his early twenties to enter the real estate business.

Real Estate Career

Shouhed spent approximately a decade working in Las Vegas real estate. He became involved in commercial property, residential development, and home flipping during the city's construction boom.

The collapse of the Las Vegas real estate market caused him to lose much of what he had accumulated. Shouhed returned to Los Angeles and began rebuilding as a commercial investment specialist and residential agent.

Wealth Trajectory & Future Earnings Projections

He has worked with brokerages including Keller Williams and Equity Union. His services have included residential sales, commercial leasing, construction consulting, investment analysis, and development.

Shouhed also participated in an East Hollywood multifamily project on land purchased for approximately $1.1 million in 2017. The completed development contained 24 apartments. Although the property's total value ran into the millions, construction debt and investor obligations meant that the project's value did not translate directly into personal wealth.

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"Shahs of Sunset"

Shouhed joined Reza Farahan, Mercedes "MJ" Javid, Golnesa "GG" Gharachedaghi, Asa Soltan Rahmati, and Sammy Younai in the original cast of "Shahs of Sunset."

His early storyline focused on recovering financially after leaving Las Vegas and finding a stable relationship. Later seasons documented his marriage to Jessica Parido, their breakup, his repeated infidelity, his relationship with Paulina Ben-Cohen, and his real estate ventures.

Shouhed remained a full-time cast member through the ninth season. He was not included in the subsequent spinoff "The Valley: Persian Style."

Business Ventures

Shouhed launched True Gold, a footwear brand designed around gold-colored and luxury-inspired sneakers. The shoes were stocked by retailers including Shoe Palace, but the company did not develop into a lasting national brand.

He also experimented with apparel, a moving business, and Ausanté, a CBD wellness company. Several of those projects appeared on "Shahs of Sunset" and generated disagreements with friends or business partners.

Real estate has remained his most durable occupation. Shouhed has continued marketing himself as an agent, investor, and developer through his personal firm, Shouhed Estates.

Marriage and Relationships

Shouhed married Jessica Parido in March 2015. They separated in August of that year after Shouhed admitted that he had been unfaithful. Parido filed for divorce in November 2015, and the divorce was finalized in October 2016.

He later began a relationship with Paulina Ben-Cohen, who had two children from a previous marriage. Shouhed and Ben-Cohen became engaged, purchased a suburban home, and appeared together during the later seasons of "Shahs of Sunset."

Their relationship ended following a domestic incident in March 2022.

Arrest and Legal Issues

Shouhed was arrested in 2022 following an altercation with Ben-Cohen. Los Angeles prosecutors subsequently filed 14 misdemeanor charges, including domestic battery, attempting to dissuade a witness, and firearms-related offenses. Shouhed pleaded not guilty.

He entered a diversion program that required counseling, anger-management courses, community service, and firearm-safety education. The criminal charges were dismissed after he completed the program.

Ben-Cohen filed a civil lawsuit against Shouhed in 2024 alleging assault, battery, and emotional distress. Shouhed denied the allegations. The lawsuit was settled in 2025 under undisclosed terms.

Mike Shouhed Net Worth

Shouhed

Reza Farahan Net Worth

Farahan