Fred Hurt (Gold Rush) Wiki, Age, Wife, Death Cause, Net Worth, Kids, Family, BIO & More

Fred Hurt, also known as Dakota Fred, was a gold miner and adventurer who appeared on the reality TV show “Gold Rush” and its spin-off “Gold Rush: White Water”. He was known for his daring dives in raging rivers and his clashes with his son Dustin. He passed away on July 11, 2023, at the age of 80.

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Age & Birthday

Fred Hurt, also known as “Dakota” Fred, was a star of the show “Gold Rush” on Discovery Channel. He was a veteran gold miner who worked with his son Dustin Hurt1. He was born on July 10, 1943, in Minot, North Dakota, USA. He was 80 years old when he passed away in 2023. He had a net worth of about $6 million as of 2020. He was married three times and had four children.

Who was Fred Hurt?

Fred Hurt, also known as “Dakota” Fred, is a public figure known for his role on the show “Gold Rush” on Discovery Channel. He was a veteran gold miner who worked with his son Dustin Hurt as part of the Dakota Boys mining crew. He joined the “Gold Rush” from the very beginning.

He was on Todd Hoffman’s team for Season 1, and the following season, he formed his own team with his son Dustin. Hurt and his team were on the show for Seasons 2-4 but left the show after that point over financial and creative differences. Hurt was later diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.

He and Dustin are the focal points of the spin-off series “Gold Rush: White Water”, which has run on Discovery since 2018. The series follows them as they seek gold by suction dredge diving in the raging whitewater creeks of Alaska. He is known for his adventurous spirit, his thrill-seeking attitude, and his blunt approach. He was born on July 10, 1943, in Minot, North Dakota, USA. 

Early Life and Career

Fred Hurt was born on July 10, 1943, in Minot, North Dakota. He grew up with a passion for fishing and wanted to become a marine biologist, but later changed his mind when he realized it was not a lucrative career. He worked as a commercial diver and learned about underwater construction, which led him to start his own construction company. He ran the business for 25 years before retiring in 2004.

After retirement, he decided to pursue another interest: gold mining. He joined Todd Hoffman’s team in the first season of “Gold Rush”, but soon parted ways with them and formed his own team with his son Dustin. They mined in Alaska and South America for four seasons but left the show after a dispute with Discovery over money and creative control.

In 2018, Fred and Dustin returned to Discovery with their own spin-off show “Gold Rush: White Water”, which followed their adventures in diving for gold in the rapids of McKinley Creek in Alaska. The show was a hit with fans who admired their courage and skill in facing the dangerous waters.

Marriage, Wife & Children

Fred Hurt was married twice in his life. His first wife was Lorrayne Frances Leier, with whom he had four children: Dustin, Jennifer, Julie, and Bray Poor.

They divorced in 2015 after 42 years of marriage. In 2016, he married Jennifer Sheets, who also appeared in “Gold Rush: White Water” as a cook and a diver.

Family, Parents & Siblings

There is not much information available about Fred Hurt’s parents and siblings. He was born in Minot, North Dakota, USA, but it is unclear who his parents were or if he had any brothers or sisters1. He was the patriarch of the Hurt family, which consisted of his wife, his son, and his daughter-in-law.

Death Cause

Fred Hurt died on July 11, 2023, one day after his 80th birthday. According to various sources, Fred Hurt, also known as “Dakota” Fred, was a public figure and a star of the show “Gold Rush” on Discovery Channel. He was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in early 2023 and sadly passed away on July 11, 2023, at the age of 80. 

He was surrounded by his family and had fought courageously against the disease. He was known for his adventurous spirit, his thrill-seeking attitude, and his blunt approach. He had been mining gold for over a decade with his son Dustin. He was a role model to many and had a massive appeal to his fans.

The exact cause of his death has not been explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that complications arising from his cancer diagnosis likely played a role. His fans and loved ones have expressed their condolences and their admiration for him on social media. He will be missed by many.

BIO/WIKI

NameFred Hurt
NicknameDakota Fred
Date of BirthJuly 10, 1943
Date of DeathJuly 11, 2023
Age80 years old (at the time of death)
Place of BirthMinot, North Dakota, United States
Place of DeathMinot, North Dakota, United States
Cause of DeathUndisclosed (diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer)
OccupationGold Miner and Adventurer
SpouseJennifer Sheets (m. 2016)
Lorrayne Frances Leier (m. ?–2015)
ChildrenDustin Hurt (son)
Jennifer Hurt (daughter)
Julie Hurt (daughter)
Bray Poor (son)
EthnicityWhite American
Height5 feet 9 inches
Weight69 kg
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorWhite
Net WorthUSD 7-8 million
Instagramdakota_fred_hurt
FacebookDakotaFred
Twittergoldrush_fred
IMDbnm4747525
HomepageDreshare.com

Facts

  • Fred served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.
  • Hurt had a leg injury in 2016 that required surgery and physical therapy.
  • Fred was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved nature and wildlife.
  • He had a tattoo of a gold nugget on his arm.
  • Fred wrote a book titled “Gold Blooded: Dakota Fred’s Philosophy for Life” in 2019.
  • Hurt was a fan of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
  • Fred donated some of his gold to charity and local communities.
  • Hurt had a website where he sold merchandise and offered mining tips.
  • Fred had over 100k followers on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

FAQs

  • How did Fred Hurt get the nickname, Dakota Fred?

    He got the nickname from his mining location in Porcupine Creek, Alaska, which is near the border of South Dakota.

  • How did Fred Hurt find out he had brain cancer?

    He found out after he had a seizure while driving in 2022.

  • What was Fred Hurt’s motto in life?

    His motto was “No guts, no glory”.

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