Warren Kinsella Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net Worth, Canada’s “Prince of Darkness”
Warren Kinsella is the Toronto-based lawyer, punk-rock bassist, best-selling author and war-room legend who has been landing political punches for four decades—from jean chrétien’s 1993 “task force” to Joe Biden’s 2020 victory lap. Now 64, the self-styled “Prince of Darkness” is back in the spotlight with his 2025 book The Hidden Hand and an upcoming documentary “The Campaign” that tracks his life in the trenches of Canadian democracy.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Warren James Kinsella |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Birth Date | August 1960 |
| Age | 64 (as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Montreal, QC |
| Hometown | Calgary, AB (self-described) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Height | ≈ 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | ≈ 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Hair Color | Salt-and-pepper |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Qualification | B.J. (Hons) Carleton |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Children | 4 |
| Hobbies | Punk-rock bass, painting, blogging, collecting campaign war stories |
| Current Work | President Daisy Consulting Group |
| Years Active | 1980 – present |
| Net Worth 2025 | ≈ C $4 million (industry estimate) |
Early Life & Education
Born in Montreal, raised across Canada, Kinsella calls Calgary home. A Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from Carleton led to newsrooms at the Calgary Herald and Ottawa Citizen, before he pivoted to law at the University of Calgary and executive programs at Harvard Law & Business Schools .
Career Journey
1980s – Ink-Stained Wretch
Crime reporter and city columnist; covered Western separatism, Reform Party rise and Oka Crisis—experiences that shaped his take-no-prisoners style .
1990-1996 – Chrétien Inner Circle
- Special Assistant to Jean Chrétien (1990-93) – helped craft the famous “face ad” against Kim Campbell.
- Chief of Staff to Public Works Minister David Dingwall (1993-96) – managed $2 billion infrastructure file during post-recession stimulus .
1997-2015 – War-Room General
- Ran federal Liberal war rooms in 1993 & 2000; Ontario Liberal war rooms in 2003, 2007, 2011 – all victories.
- Lost 1997 bid in North Vancouver to Reform’s Ted White; gained scars, data and material for future books .
2006 – Daisy Consulting
Founded Daisy Group – a Toronto agency specializing in crisis comms, Indigenous affairs, opposition research. Clients range from First Nations to Fortune 500s and at least one U.S. presidential campaign .
2016-2024 – Commentator & Author
- National columnist – Toronto Sun, National Post, Hill Times.
- Adjunct prof – University of Calgary Faculty of Law.
- Bassist – punk band SFH; still plays gigs in TO dive bars .
2025 – New Projects
- Book: The Hidden Hand – dissects global propaganda war against Israel & the West .
- Documentary: The Campaign – tracks his strategic influence from Chrétien to Biden .
Awards & Achievements
- Arthur Ellis Award finalist – Party Favours (1997)
- Canadian Best-Seller – Web of Hate (1994, re-issued 2001)
- Amnesty International Media Award – exposing far-right networks
- University of Calgary Distinguished Alumnus (2015)
- B’nai Brith Canada – Human Rights Award (2021)
Personal Life
Unmarried, “single dad to four amazing kids” who “love and tolerate” him . Lives in a renovated 1890s row-house in Cabbagetown, Toronto filled with punk-rock posters and original Group of Seven sketches. Owns a 1964 Fender Jazz bass he’s played on every SFH recording.
Physical Statistics
| Measure | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5′10″ | 178 cm |
| Weight | 180 lb | 82 kg |
| Shoe | 10 US | 43 EU |
| Hair | Salt-and-pepper | – |
| Eyes | Blue | – |
Quotes
- “Negative politics work – if the truth is on your side.” – The War Room (2007)
- “I’d rather be feared by my enemies than loved by my friends – it lasts longer.” – Toronto Sun column, 2023
- “I still believe punk rock can change the world – three chords and the truth, baby.” – CBC Radio interview, 2024
Controversies
- Barney-gate 2000 – waved purple dinosaur on TV to mock Stockwell Day’s creationist views; critics called it “American-style attack politics” .
- Ignatieff campaign exit 2009 – resigned after joking about “cat meat” at a Chinese restaurant; issued swift apology .
- Green Party contract 2019 – elizabeth may hired Daisy for war-room help; pundits slammed “dolphins swimming with sharks” juxtaposition .
- Toronto Sun conflict 2019 – wrote pro-Conservative columns while Daisy worked for CPC; Postmedia stated no disclosure was required .
Favorites
| Category | Pick |
|---|---|
| Punk Band | The Clash |
| Coffee | Black, no sugar |
| Cigar | Romeo y Julieta |
| Book (own) | Web of Hate – “still relevant, sadly” |
| City | Calgary (emotional home) |
| Campaign Tool | 1993 “face ad” storyboard |
Salary & Net Worth 2025
Daisy Consulting bills mid-seven figures annually; speaking fee C $10-15 k; Sun column retainer plus royalties from 11 books. Net-worth estimate: C $4 million including Toronto real estate, rare punk vinyl, and law-firm pension.
Interesting Facts
- Painted landscapes exhibited at Calgary’s Loch Gallery (2022).
- Owns original 1977 Never Mind the Bollocks press kit.
- First political memory: handing out Pierre Trudeau pamphlets at age 10.
- Still uses a BlackBerry – claims “it’s the only thing that can’t be hacked by the Russians.”
Social Media Links
- Twitter/X – @kinsellawarren 55 k
- Facebook – 13 k likes
- LinkedIn – professional network
- Blog – The War Room
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Warren Kinsella still a Liberal?
A: No – quit the party in 2002; now describes himself as “a progressive who fights the right” .
Q2: How many books has he written?
A: Eleven, including best-sellers Web of Hate, The War Room, and 2025’s The Hidden Hand .
Q3: Did he work for Joe Biden?
A: Yes – consulted on Biden-Harris 2020 in several swing states .
Q4: What band is he in?
A: SFH – a Toronto punk group; plays bass and occasionally sings .
Q5: Where does he teach?
A: Adjunct professor, University of Calgary Faculty of Law .
Conclusion
Love him or loathe him, Warren Kinsella remains the enfant terrible of Canadian public life—lawyer, lecturer, luthier-of-loudness who can draft a Supreme Court factum in the morning and slap a bass line at night. With new books, docs and demolition-ready columns still dropping in 2025, the Prince of Darkness shows no sign of turning on the lights. Share this bio if you’ve ever been zapped by Daisy Group intel—or just love punk-rock politics.
