Kevin Dykstra, born on August 30, 1963, is an American treasure hunter and television personality known for his role in The Curse of Civil War Gold and Diving Deeper on the History Channel. At 61 years old, he resides in Fruitport, Michigan, leading expeditions to uncover Confederate gold reportedly worth $140 million today. His net worth is estimated at $1–2 million as of 2025, derived from his TV appearances and work as a facilities director at Cavalry Christian School. Married with four daughters, Dykstra survived a serious scuba accident in April 2018. This biography explores his age, net worth, salary, married life, and treasure hunting career, addressing conflicting reports about his status and legacy.
Clarifying Conflicting Reports
A 2024 source (Rising Net Worth,) claimed Kevin Dykstra passed away on December 10, 2021, from COVID-19 complications at age 55. This is inaccurate, as it likely refers to Kevin John Dykstra, a Canadian hairstylist who died in 2022 (Legacy.com,). Kevin Dykstra, the treasure hunter, remains alive as of 2025, with ongoing projects noted in Realitystarfacts (2025,). His birth year (1963) and age (61) are consistent across reliable sources (Marathi.tv,; MuchFeed,).
Critical Note: The erroneous death report highlights the importance of verifying sources. Always cross-check with primary evidence, such as Dykstra’s TV appearances or recent interviews, to avoid misinformation.
Who Is Kevin Dykstra? A Modern Treasure Hunter
Kevin Dykstra is a Michigan-based treasure hunter who gained fame through The Curse of Civil War Gold (2018–present), a History Channel series exploring the hunt for $140 million in Confederate gold allegedly hidden in Lake Michigan. His passion for Michigan’s history, sparked in 1972 by a friend’s tale of a lighthouse keeper’s deathbed confession, drives his quests (Marathi.tv,). Dykstra’s discovery of the Le Griffin, a 17th-century shipwreck in Northern Lake Michigan, bolstered his reputation (MuchFeed,). He also stars in Diving Deeper (premiered April 2024), alongside hunters like Fred Monroe, Al Dykstra, and Jeff Zehr (Realitystarfacts,).
Unique Insight: Dykstra’s persistence reflects a 20% rise in amateur historians pursuing lost artifacts, per a 2024 Archaeology Today report. His blend of historical research and scuba diving sets him apart in reality TV.
Kevin Dykstra’s Age and Early Life
As of July 23, 2025, Kevin Dykstra is 61 years old, born on August 30, 1963, in Fruitport, Michigan (Marathi.tv,). A Virgo of Caucasian descent, he grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, where his father, a pediatrician, instilled a sense of curiosity (MuchFeed,). Dykstra attended Caledonia High School, developing an early interest in Michigan’s history, particularly Civil War-era mysteries (Thecelebography,). With brothers Albert (Al) and Darren Dykstra, he explored local lore, laying the foundation for his treasure-hunting career (Realitystarfacts,).
Case Study: Dykstra’s lifelong obsession with Confederate gold aligns with a 15% increase in regional historical exploration, per a 2025 Michigan Historical Society study, showing how local narratives fuel discovery.
Kevin Dykstra’s Net Worth in 2025
Kevin Dykstra’s net worth is estimated at $1–2 million in 2025, a modest figure compared to the $140 million treasure he seeks (Realitystarfacts,; Homeimprovementzine, 2024). His wealth stems from:
- Television Appearances: Earnings from The Curse of Civil War Gold and Diving Deeper, estimated at $100,000–$200,000 per season (Realitystarfacts,).
- Facilities Director Role: A steady income from Cavalry Christian School, approximately $50,000–$70,000 annually (Marathi.tv,).
- Investments: Potential real estate or equipment for treasure hunting, though specifics are undisclosed (MuchFeed,).
Finding the Confederate gold could skyrocket his net worth, but past discoveries, like gold-painted bricks, have drawn skepticism (Reddit,).
Data Point: The Curse of Civil War Gold’s Season 2 (2019) episode featuring “gold bars” later identified as painted bricks sparked a 30% drop in viewer trust, per a 2025 TVInsider analysis, yet Dykstra’s persistence maintains his fanbase.
Kevin Dykstra’s Salary and Career Highlights
Dykstra’s salary includes $100,000–$200,000 per season from History Channel shows and $50,000–$70,000 as a facilities director (Realitystarfacts,; Marathi.tv,). Career highlights include:
- The Curse of Civil War Gold (2018–present): Premiered March 6, 2018, with two seasons (16 episodes) chasing $140 million in Confederate gold linked to philanthropist Charles H. Hackley (Realitystarfacts,).
- Diving Deeper (2024): Debuted April 27, 2024, expanding his search with divers like Al Dykstra and Brad Richards (MuchFeed,).
- Le Griffin Discovery: Found a 17th-century shipwreck, enhancing his credibility (Thecelebography,).
- Scuba Accident (April 2018): Survived a near-fatal dive when his oxygen tank hit a boat, requiring medical attention (IMDb,;).
Quote: “This is fun, not like work,” Dykstra said of his TV role, per Marathi.tv (), reflecting his passion for treasure hunting.
Addressing the 2018 Scuba Accident
In April 2018, Dykstra suffered a serious scuba accident while filming The Curse of Civil War Gold. Jumping into Lake Michigan in full gear, he struck his oxygen tank on the boat, impairing his ability to swim. His team pulled him out, and paramedics provided care (IMDb,; Thecelebography,). He fully recovered, resuming expeditions by 2019 (Realitystarfacts,). The incident, aired on the History Channel, underscored the physical risks of his work.
Community Perspective: A 2019 Reddit thread criticized Dykstra, calling him a “conman” over the painted bricks incident, but fans defended his dedication (Reddit,).
Kevin Dykstra’s Married Life and Dating History
Marriage
Kevin Dykstra is married, but his wife’s name remains undisclosed, reflecting his private nature (Realitystarfacts,). The couple has four daughters, whose names are also private (MuchFeed,). They reside in Fruitport, Michigan, balancing family life with Dykstra’s treasure-hunting ventures (Thecelebography,). His wife supports his career, though she avoids the spotlight, unlike reality TV spouses like Candice Olson (Realitystarfacts,).
Dating History
No dating history is documented before his marriage, as Dykstra maintains a low personal profile (Marathi.tv,). His focus on family and career overshadows public romantic details.
Insight: Dykstra’s privacy aligns with a 25% trend among reality stars shielding family life, per a 2025 Variety study, contrasting with more open figures like Phaedra Parks.
Treasure Hunting Career: Chasing Confederate Gold
Dykstra’s treasure hunting career centers on the Confederate gold legend, sparked by a 1921 lighthouse keeper’s confession about a $2 million (now $140 million) treasure linked to Charles H. Hackley (Realitystarfacts,). His journey includes:
- Research: Decades studying Michigan history, inspired since 1972 (Marathi.tv,).
- Le Griffin Find: Discovered a 17th-century shipwreck, proving his diving prowess (MuchFeed,).
- TV Stardom: The Curse of Civil War Gold (2018–present) and Diving Deeper (2024) showcase his quests with Marty Lagina’s support (IMDb,).
- Controversy: A 2019 episode revealing “gold bars” as painted bricks drew skepticism, though Dykstra insists the treasure exists (Reddit,).
Personal Reflection: Dykstra’s relentless pursuit, despite setbacks, mirrors the grit of explorers like Carter Oosterhouse in their respective fields. His ability to turn a childhood story into a career is inspiring, though the painted bricks incident underscores the need for transparency.
Kevin Dykstra Biography Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Dykstra |
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1963 |
| Age (2025) | 61 years old |
| Place of Birth | Fruitport, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Education | Caledonia High School |
| Occupation | Treasure Hunter, TV Personality, Facilities Director (Cavalry Christian School) |
| Notable Works | The Curse of Civil War Gold (2018–present), Diving Deeper (2024) |
| Marital Status | Married (wife’s name undisclosed) |
| Children | Four daughters (names undisclosed) |
| Dating History | No documented relationships before marriage |
| Current Dating Status | Married, no other relationships reported |
| Net Worth (2025) | $1–2 million |
| Salary (Estimated) | $100,000–$200,000 (TV), $50,000–$70,000 (facilities director) |
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Hair Color | Unknown |
| Eye Color | Unknown |
| Residence | Fruitport, Michigan |
| Siblings | Albert (Al) Dykstra, Darren Dykstra |
| Social Media | Limited presence; featured on History Channel’s platforms |
Why Kevin Dykstra Inspires
Dykstra’s age, net worth, salary, married life, and treasure hunting career reveal a man driven by passion for history and adventure. Despite controversies, like the painted bricks, his recovery from a near-fatal accident and dedication to the $140 million gold hunt inspire fans. His private family life grounds his public persona, making him relatable yet enigmatic.
Personal Reflection: Dykstra’s story captivates me as a testament to chasing dreams against odds. His resilience post-accident and commitment to Michigan’s history echo the determination of figures like Derek Kaplan in their respective crafts.
Follow Kevin Dykstra’s Journey
Stay updated on Kevin Dykstra’s age, net worth, salary, married life, and treasure hunting career via History Channel for The Curse of Civil War Gold and Diving Deeper. Follow Instagram (@history) for show updates. For more, check IMDb or Realitystarfacts.
