Shin Lim Bio, Age, Wife, Career, Net Worth – How Shin Lim Turned Card Tricks Into a Multi-Million Dollar Magic Empire
Shin Lim is a Canadian-American sleight-of-hand artist and close-up magician known for his astonishing card manipulation and silent, highly choreographed performances. Based in Las Vegas and internationally touring, he’s notable for winning the 2015 Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM) World Championship for Close-Up Card Magic and for being the champion of America’s Got Talent Season 13, and its spin-off, making him one of the most prominent magicians of his generation.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Liang-Shun “Shin” Lim |
| Stage Name | Shin Lim |
| Profession | Magician (Close-up card magic, sleight of hand) |
| Birth Date | September 25, 1991 |
| Age | 34 (as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian & American |
| Known For | 2015 FISM World Champion; Winner of America’s Got Talent Season 13; Unique silent card routines |
| Ethnicity | Han Chinese descent; parents from Singapore |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Height & Weight | Approx. 5′ 7″ (1.70 m) – some sources state 1.77m. |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Qualification | Studied piano/music at Lee University; pivoted to magic |
| Religion | Not publicly detailed |
| Marital Status / Spouse | Married to Casey Thomas (married August 19, 2019) |
| Relationships | — |
| Children | None publicly known |
| Family Tree | Parents from Singapore; older brother Yi Lim |
| Hobbies | Music (piano background), watching magic, creating card routines |
| Current Work | Headlining Las Vegas residency, global tours, digital magic content |
| Years Active | 2009–present |
| Net Worth | Estimated ~US$5 million (2024) |
Early Life & Education
Shin Lim was born on September 25, 1991, in Vancouver, Canada, to Singapore-born parents of Han Chinese ethnicity.
At age two, his family moved back to Singapore, and at age eleven they relocated to Acton, Massachusetts in the United States.
From a young age, Lim studied music—his grandmother gave him a violin, which he later abandoned, switching to piano, and eventually enrolling at Lee University’s School of Music.
However, around 2011 he was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome which disrupted his piano studies, and this led him to pivot toward focusing on magic and card manipulation.
He taught himself card tricks via YouTube after his older brother introduced him to a simple card trick.
Career Journey
Beginnings & Breakthrough (2009-2015)
Lim began performing magic around 2009, building his skills in sleight-of-hand and card manipulation. By 2012 he entered the FISM World Championship (representing North America) and placed in the top six.
His breakthrough came in 2015 when he won the FISM World Championship in Close-Up Card Magic — a premiere accolade in the magic community.
In the same period he appeared on the TV show Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where he successfully “fooled” Penn & Teller with his card routine. His performance went viral, establishing him globally.
Rise to Global Fame (2016-2019)
Lim’s style—silent, music-backed, highly visual card routines—set him apart. He refined his stage presence, connecting his musical background with magic. In 2018, he auditioned for America’s Got Talent Season 13, and on September 19, 2018, he was declared the winner, earning a US$1 million prize and a headlining spot in Las Vegas.
He returned to the spin-off show, America’s Got Talent: The Champions, and won again—making him the only performer to have won both.
Recent Activity & Current Position (2020-Present)
Lim now headlines a residency in Las Vegas and tours globally. According to his official website, his “self-choreographed” routines emphasize precision and grace rather than illusion-based storytelling.
He continues to release content online (YouTube, Instagram) and performs major shows, combining card magic, music and theatrical flair. His influence in the field of close-up magic is substantial.
Personal Life
Shin Lim is married to Casey Thomas, a dancer and former magician’s assistant, since August 19, 2019.
He keeps much of his personal life discreet, but publicly credits his music background for shaping his performance style and acknowledges that watching YouTube and practicing relentlessly were key to his success.
Awards & Achievements
- Winner, FISM World Championship – Close-Up Card Magic (2015)
- Winner, America’s Got Talent Season 13 (2018)
- Winner, America’s Got Talent: The Champions (2019)
- Multiple awards from International Brotherhood of Magicians and People’s Choice for Close-Up Magic.
- Headlining Las Vegas residency and global recognition in magic community.
Physical Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | Approx. 5′ 7″ (1.70 m) |
| Weight | Approx. 60 kg (source estimate) |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
Quotes
“I’m not a magician or wizard, I perform self-choreographed routines rather than pretending to defy the laws of physics.”
“What you see is what you get. It’s about creating beauty through sleight of hand.” (paraphrased based on interview style)
Controversies
There are no major publicly reported controversies involving Shin Lim. His career is largely built on performance art rather than publicity stunts or scandals.
Favorites
Shin Lim has shared that his performance style blends music and magic—he once said his routines are like “playing piano with cards.” He also credits watching fellow magicians such as David Blaine for shaping his approach.
Salary & Net Worth
Estimated net worth of Shin Lim is around US $5 million as of 2024, based on show residencies, tour earnings, digital content and merchandise.
Given his high-profile Las Vegas residency and global tour presence, his earning potential remains significant.
Interesting Facts
- He originally trained as a pianist and aimed for a music career before switching to magic due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- His performances are often completely silent, relying on music and visual storytelling rather than spoken dialogue.
- He taught himself card magic through YouTube videos after his brother showed him a trick.
- He holds dual citizenship (Canada & USA) and performs worldwide.
- His signature routine “52 Shades of Red” is widely shared online.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @shinlimmagic
- YouTube: Shin Lim Official Channel
- Twitter/X: @ShinLimMagic
- Official Website: shinlimmagic.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How did Shin Lim become famous?
A1: His breakout moments were winning the 2015 FISM World Championship for Close-Up Card Magic, then successfully appearing on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and later winning America’s Got Talent Season 13 in 2018.
Q2: What style of magic does Shin Lim perform?
A2: He specializes in close-up card magic and sleight-of-hand routines that are highly visual and often silent, combining choreography, music and dexterity.
Q3: Is Shin Lim married?
A3: Yes. He married Casey Thomas on August 19, 2019.
Q4: What is Shin Lim’s net worth?
A4: Estimates place his net worth at around US $5 million as of 2024, derived from Las Vegas residencies, tours and digital presence.
Q5: Where does Shin Lim perform currently?
A5: He maintains a residency in Las Vegas and tours internationally, along with releasing digital magic content.
Q6: Did Shin Lim study music?
A6: Yes — he initially studied piano and music at Lee University, and his musical background influences his magic performances.
Conclusion
Shin Lim’s journey from a music-student to world-champion card magician is a compelling example of artistic reinvention and exceptional skill. His seamless fusion of music, motion and magic has set a new standard in close-up performance. If you found this biography helpful, feel free to share it with friends or fellow magic fans.