Zarco and Rivers

Robert Zarco, franchisee attorney and partner of Miami-based law firm Zarco, Einhorn, Salkowski & Brito, P.A, had a visit by celebrity Joan Rivers. Ms. Rivers spotlights the life of multimillionaire Robert Zarco in the launch of her new six-episode reality show, How’d You Get So Rich.

Zarco, 51, makes the premiere episode, which airs at 10 p.m. Aug. 5 on TV Land. Rivers pays a visit to his home on Miami Beach's North Bay Road. In the driveway: a Bentley ($247,000); Aston Martin ($186,500) and 1922 Buick ($250,000). Zarco shares the waterfront estate with wife Veronica, explaining they have a “blended” marriage with five children -- his three, her two. “Like a rich Brady Bunch,” Rivers quips. He points out a $40,000 chandelier bought in Venice, and a hand-painted mural -- with images of him and Veronica -- on the ceiling over the main staircase that cost $50,000. Veronica shows Rivers her 200-pair collection of designer shoes -- ``my pride and joy,'' she says. Zarco has three boats, including a four-bedroom yacht worth $3.5 million.

Zarco, whose dad juggled three jobs to make ends meet when the family emigrated from Cuba, began working at age 7, mowing lawns after school and on weekends. He helped pay for his undergraduate studies at Harvard as a Dorm Crew employee. ``I cleaned toilets and cleaned sinks,'' he says, donning rubber gloves to give Rivers a hands-on demonstration in one of his 15 bathrooms.

He started his law firm with “no money to my name” and made his $50 million-plus fortune by representing the “underdog,” he says.

Zarco, on a 24-day, 11-country European vacation with Veronica, tells The Herald why he agreed to do the show: ``I am an example of a rags-to-riches story. I hope it will motivate others to work hard, commit themselves to whatever industry or business they choose. By always doing the right thing and not cheating or hurting others, you can become an American success.'' – Miami Herald

Zarco represents franchise owner-operators in their lawsuits against their franchisors.