Guy Fieri Says He Plans to 'Die Broke' and Leave His Kids Nothing Unless They Get 'Two Degrees'

Guy Fieri just revealed what he expects of his children if they want a piece of his fortune.

The Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives star, 55, who recently signed an estimated $100 million contract with Food Network, told Fox News that he doesn’t plan on giving his sons his money without them heading to school.

Fieri told his children, “I’m going to die broke.’” He shares his two sons, Hunter, 27, and Ryder, 17, with his wife, Lori, 52, as well as his nephew Jules, 24, whom he’s helped raise since the death of Guy's sister Morgan in 2011.

The Food Network star explained that he’s ingrained the same strong work ethic his father instilled in him. “I’ve told them the same thing my dad told me. My dad says, ‘When I die, you can expect that I’m going to die broke, and you’re going to be paying for the funeral.'” Guy continued, “And I told my boys, ‘None of this that we’ve been…that I’ve been building are you going to get unless you come and take it from me.’” 

The TV personality said that his youngest son, Ryder, a high school senior, isn’t too fond of the idea. Guy told Fox that when he’s had the conversation with his children, Ryder says, “‘Dad, this is so unfair. I haven’t even gone to college yet, and you’re already pushing that I’ve got to get an MBA? Can I just get through college?’"

The chef then shared his process in encouraging the three boys to seek out higher education. “Shaq said it best. Shaq said, ‘If you want this cheese, you got to get two degrees.’ Well, my two degrees mean, you know, postgraduate.”

While Ryder has expressed his frustration, Guy’s nephew Jules has taken his uncle’s guidance and is currently earning a law degree.

“Jules is in the music industry down in LA. He's in the law program at Loyola Marymount right now,” shared Guy. “If you're going to be a big-time entertainment agent, you need to have that law background. So he’s doing that.”

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Guy’s eldest son, Hunter, is on it, too. He is in an MBA program at the University of Miami for his master's degree in business.

In November, the celebrity chef, 55, reportedly signed a new three-year, $100 million deal with the Food Network, according to Variety. Now he tells PEOPLE that the accomplishment has him feeling "very humbled." (He previously signed an $80 million deal in 2021.)

"I'm so appreciative. I really feel fortunate," says Fieri, who will host Guy's Flavortown Tailgate during the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. "I started at the Food Network almost 17, 18 years ago. And never thought anything like this was ever coming my way."