In 2012, the world met Robby Novak, better known as Kid President. Wearing a tiny suit and bursting with confidence, he delivered viral pep talks that encouraged millions to “make the world awesome.” His breakout video, “A Pep Talk from Kid President to You,” gathered over 48 million views. He soon met President Obama, kissed Beyoncé on the cheek, and even starred in a TV show on the Hub Network.
But behind the charm and fun, Robby was also a kid with a rare medical condition. He suffered from osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, which caused over 70 broken bones and 13 surgeries (CBS News, VUMC). That never stopped him. His optimism made him a beacon of hope.
Then, just as quickly as he rose, he disappeared from the spotlight.
Fast Facts
- Name: Robby Novak (Kid President)
- Age: 21 (born October 24, 2003)
- Current Focus: Studying physical therapy in Tennessee
- Notable Work: Viral YouTube pep talks, 2016 NYT bestselling book
- Estimated Net Worth: $3M–$5M (from books, videos, and TV deals)
The Real Boy Behind the Suit
Robby Novak was born on October 24, 2003, and adopted by David and Lori Novak in Tennessee. His sister Lexi, also adopted, and his brother-in-law Brad Montague played a key role in creating the Kid President persona. Brad directed and co-wrote many of Robby’s videos, turning their small-town home into a global stage.
View this post on Instagram
Despite his health struggles, Robby’s personality shined. He didn’t complain. He laughed, danced, and told people that being kind was cooler than being famous.
“Robby’s not just my brother-in-law. He’s my teacher.”
—Brad Montague, YouTube intro to Are We There Yet?
Why He Left Fame Behind
By 2016, the Kid President videos began to slow down. In 2019, Robby and Brad returned with a short YouTube series called “Are We There Yet?”, where they traveled the U.S. meeting young leaders. But after that, Robby quietly stepped away from the public eye.
There were no scandals, no controversies, and no career failures. He simply made a choice. He wanted to live a normal life, focus on school, and enjoy being a teenager. His health condition was being managed, and there were no public signs that it forced his retreat. It was just time for a new chapter.
Want to know what happened to another viral legend? Read more about Backpack Kid →“We made a choice to step away for a while. There wasn’t a big plan. It just felt right.”
—Brad Montague, RELEVANT Magazine, 2023
What Robby Novak Is Doing Now in 2025
Now 21 years old, Robby lives in a small town in Tennessee and is studying physical therapy. This career choice seems deeply connected to his experience living with brittle bones. He wants to help others the way healthcare providers helped him.
“I want to help people the way people helped me.”
—Robby Novak, People.com, August 2024
He keeps a low profile, but occasionally posts on TikTok. One of his 2024 videos reached over 9 million views. He still smiles, still jokes, and still carries the same energy fans remember. But he’s not chasing viral fame anymore. He spends time studying, talking politics with friends, and writing music.
“I still want to make the world awesome, just in a different way.”
—Robby Novak, TODAY interview, August 2024
Family, Finances, and a Different Kind of Legacy
Robby’s family remains close. His adoptive parents and sister have stayed out of the spotlight. Brad Montague, however, still creates inspiring content, including children’s books and creative workshops. He and Robby remain connected and open to future collaborations.
There’s no public record of Robby having a spouse or children, which makes sense given his age and focus on school. His lifestyle appears humble. He isn’t driving luxury cars or flashing wealth on social media.
Still, reports suggest Robby’s net worth is between $3 million and $5 million (voxhound.com, thewikifeed.com). This likely comes from his book sales, YouTube monetization, and television deals during his peak years. He co-authored his bestselling book Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome, a New York Times bestseller that may still bring in royalties.
Curious where another iconic meme star ended up? Read more about Disaster Girl →Did He Regret Fame? Or Reinvent Himself?
There’s no evidence that Robby regrets his time as Kid President. In fact, recent interviews show he’s proud of the impact he had. He seems thankful for the opportunity but has moved on with a healthy mindset.
His shift into healthcare is a form of reinvention. While many former child stars chase their next spotlight, Robby chose to help people in real life. It’s not flashy. It’s meaningful. That quiet decision makes his story even more inspiring.
Bonus Timeline: Robby Novak’s Key Moments
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Kid President’s first video goes viral |
| 2013 | Meets President Obama at the White House |
| 2014 | Hosts Kid President: Declaration of Awesome |
| 2016 | Publishes Guide to Being Awesome (NYT Bestseller) |
| 2019 | Returns with Are We There Yet? YouTube series |
| 2024 | Turns 21, gains voting eligibility, viral TikTok gets 9M+ views |
| 2025 | Studies physical therapy, lives privately in Tennessee |
FAQs
As of August 2025, Robby Novak, also known as Kid President, is living in Tennessee and studying physical therapy. He leads a private life focused on education but occasionally posts updates on TikTok to stay connected with fans.
Robby Novak chose to step away from the spotlight to prioritize his health, family, and school. According to verified interviews with People and TODAY, there were no controversies or scandals behind his decision, just a personal choice for normalcy and growth.
Yes, Robby Novak is alive and healthy as of August 2025. He turned 21 in October 2024 and continues to live a quiet, purposeful life while studying to become a physical therapist.
Conclusion
Robby Novak’s story didn’t end when the cameras stopped. Instead of chasing fame, he chose a quieter, more intentional life. From viral videos to college classrooms, his journey is one of strength, humility, and purpose.
His legacy lives on, not in flashy headlines, but in the lives he continues to inspire with every step forward.