SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci reflected on his working-class upbringing and an awkward first interview at Goldman Sachs, using the experience to encourage young people pursuing opportunities beyond the worlds they grew up in.
Anthony Scaramucci Recalls His Working-Class Roots
Earlier this week, Scaramucci shared a video on X describing how unfamiliar he felt when he first entered the world of Wall Street.
He said his father worked in a green uniform that was often covered in grease by the end of the day.
Growing up, Scaramucci said his family did not belong to country clubs or take part in activities such as golf and tennis, leaving him unfamiliar with many of the social norms associated with affluent professional circles.
When he landed his first interview at Goldman Sachs, Scaramucci said he wore a $90 polyester suit, a shiny polyester shirt and a black tie.
“I thought I looked fantastic,” he said, adding that his confidence at the time reflected “how stupid I was.”
According to Scaramucci, a Goldman Sachs partner pulled him aside and told him he needed to buy clothing made from natural fibers.
The executive jokingly told him he looked like “an Italian undertaker from Brooklyn” and was “fully flammable” for the interview.
From Polyester to Brioni: Scaramucci’s Wall Street Lesson
Scaramucci said he did not know any better because he had not grown up around people who understood Wall Street’s unspoken expectations.
He called his mother, who reassured him that he looked great and questioned why anyone would criticize his outfit. Scaramucci then got a credit card, went to Brooks Brothers, bought new shirts and a tie, and returned to Goldman Sachs better prepared.
“I’ve gone from polyester to Brioni in my life,” he said, referring to his rise from modest beginnings to financial success.
‘You’re Not Supposed to Know,’ Says Scaramucci
Scaramucci said the experience taught him that ambitious young people should not be discouraged by feeling out of place or realizing they have gaps in their knowledge.
“You’re not supposed to know,” he said. “That’s what the journey is for.”
He also argued that many Americans have shifted from being “aspirational” to “desperational,” suggesting that economic pressures have made it harder for people to remain hopeful about improving their circumstances.
Scaramucci’s Net Worth and Rise to SkyBridge Capital
Born on Long Island, Scaramucci has an estimated net worth of $150 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He co-founded Oscar Capital Management, which Neuberger Berman acquired in 2001 and later launched SkyBridge Capital in 2005.
Known as “The Mooch,” Scaramucci is best known for his 11-day stint as President Donald Trump’s White House communications director, from July 21 to July 31, 2017.
His brief tenure later inspired the informal use of “a Scaramucci” to describe 11 days.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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