Shark Tank Star Barbara Corcoran's Unforgettable 70th Birthday Stunt
On what should have been a typical milestone celebration, real estate mogul and Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran orchestrated a birthday prank so audacious that it became what she calls "the best party of the century." Instead of conventional festivities, the now-76-year-old business icon faked her own death, lying motionless in a coffin for ten minutes to completely shock her unsuspecting friends.
The Motivation Behind the Macabre Mischief
Barbara Corcoran's elaborate scheme was born from a desire to turn the tables on her well-meaning friends. "I had the best party of the century, no doubt about it," Barbara revealed in an interview with Damien Scott of Boardroom. The entrepreneur discovered through a close friend that her social circle was planning a surprise birthday celebration for her. Rather than simply accepting the gesture, Corcoran decided to create an even bigger surprise of her own.
"When Liz told me they were planning a surprise party, I said, 'I'm going to turn the tables and surprise them,'" the television personality explained. This simple revelation sparked one of the most memorable birthday pranks in recent memory, showcasing Corcoran's trademark creativity and mischievous spirit.
Executing the Elaborate Funeral Setup
The execution of Barbara Corcoran's prank required meticulous planning and theatrical flair. While her friends gathered upstairs in her home, expecting her return from the airport, Corcoran's brother directed them downstairs where an entirely different scene awaited. "They walked into the living room and found me dead in a coffin," Corcoran recalled with evident amusement.
The businesswoman had transformed her living space into a convincing funeral parlor complete with:
- Arranged seating for mourners
- Actors dressed as nuns, priests, and rabbis
- A somber, funeral-appropriate atmosphere
"And they all said what they liked about me, thinking I was dead, and what they didn't like about me," Corcoran shared about her friends' reactions during the staged memorial.
Memorable Reactions and Unexpected Consequences
Among the many shocked responses, one particularly stood out to Barbara Corcoran. Her daughter Katie, whom she adopted with husband Bill Higgins in 2005, provided what the entrepreneur called the best reaction. "She was only like 9 at the time," Barbara remembered, "and she said, 'When do we get the money?'"
Corcoran emphasized the unique opportunity her prank created: "How many people, if anyone, do you know who hears what people say about them after they're dead? I got to hear it all." The television star confirmed that her guests were completely convinced of the scenario's authenticity, with no suspicion that they were participating in an elaborate joke.
"I could hear the gasps," she described. "I had my eyes closed, and I didn't move a second. Everybody was aghast that I was dead. They really thought I was dead. And I lay there dead for ten minutes. It was great."
The Grand Reveal and Aftermath
After maintaining her motionless pose for a full ten minutes, Barbara Corcoran finally revealed the truth in spectacular fashion. "I got up and danced," she shared enthusiastically. The businesswoman had gone all out for her performance, noting "I looked beautiful. I had my makeup done."
The prank's impact extended beyond the immediate party guests. "The following morning I went down, and my doorman told me I was dead," Corcoran revealed with amusement. "That it appeared all over social that I had died." Despite the unintended spread of misinformation, Corcoran viewed this development positively, calling it "my best report card."
Reflecting on the complete production, which included a DJ dressed as a priest, Barbara Corcoran concluded simply: "It was fun." The birthday celebration created lasting memories for both the host and her guests, proving that sometimes the most unconventional approaches create the most unforgettable experiences.
