Patricia "Patti" Stanger (born May 31, 1961) is an American businesswoman and reality television personality. She is known for starring in and producing her own matchmaking reality series, The Millionaire Matchmaker, on Bravo TV. She is also founder and CEO of Millionaire's Club International, Inc. (www.MillionairesClub123.com), a professional matchmaking service for millionaires. Early life and education Stanger was born and raised in Short Hills, New Jersey. She was adopted by Ira and Rhoda (Rhoda was also a matchmaker), and was raised in the Jewish faith. She graduated from Millburn High School in 1979 and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Miami in 1983. She currently lives in Los Angeles. Career Early career Stanger is a third-generation matchmaker (see shidduch). Prior to founding her business in January 2000, she worked as the Director of Marketing for Great Expectations. She also worked in fashion. Stanger was introduced to the fashion industry by Janis Spindel, who had hired and scouted the 24-year-old when looking for an assistant. Stanger worked for 10 years in the fashion industry at Unionbay Sportswear, JouJou Jeans, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Millionaire's Club In 2000, Stanger stated that "successful men in the dating arena needed a private, exclusive club where they could come to find their beautiful and intelligent wives." Millionaire Matchmaker In 2008, Stanger signed a deal to have her own reality show called Millionaire Matchmaker on the Bravo TV Network. Stanger starred in and produced the show. The hour-long show followed her matchmaking at Millionaire's Club. Each episode featured her matchmaking two millionaires. First, millionaire clients submitted a biographical video profile on a DVD describing the type of partner they want. Stanger then met them individually to better understand their desires and welcome them to the club. She's been called "The Simon Cowell of Dating" and made very quick, very direct comments. "I am not paid to hide my true feelings," she said. Her "casting calls" or "recruiting sessions", where she screened men and women, involved her making brutal comments on their dress and appearance. She told one woman she had a beautiful face but could not meet her millionaire because she was 10–15 lbs overweight. "I can't do much for women over 45," Stanger said in an interview, "and if they're overweight, it's almost impossible." She told another woman to take off her wig, then suggested she come back after she got