Michael Lindell, commonly known as Mike Lindell, is an American businessman and conservative activist best known as the founder and CEO of MyPillow, a bedding company he started in 2005 from his garage in Chaska, Minnesota. Born on December 11, 1961, in Mankato, Minnesota, Lindell grew up in a Midwestern family and faced early personal struggles, including a battle with cocaine addiction in the 1980s and 1990s, which he credits a religious conversion in 1987 for overcoming. Before MyPillow, he worked various jobs, including in the bar and restaurant industry, and briefly attempted other ventures like a snack food company. Under his leadership, MyPillow grew into a multimillion-dollar enterprise through infomercials, direct marketing, and heavy advertising on right-wing media, achieving peak sales during the COVID-19 pandemic with claims of producing face masks. However, the company has faced legal challenges, including lawsuits from retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl's over contract disputes, and SEC scrutiny related to his political activities.

Lindell emerged as a prominent figure in conservative politics following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, becoming a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and a major donor to conservative causes. He gained national attention after the 2020 election by promoting baseless conspiracy theories alleging widespread voter fraud, establishing himself as a prominent election denialist. He funded efforts like the 'Cyber Symposium' in 2021 to 'prove' these claims, which led to his temporary deplatforming from social media sites like Twitter (now X). A major donor to Republican causes, Lindell has contributed millions to organizations such as Turning Point USA and supported election denialists, including financial ties to Charlie Kirk. His activism resulted in significant repercussions: Dominion Voting Systems sued him for $1.3 billion in 2021 over defamation, leading to a $5 million arbitration loss in 2023 and ongoing litigation; he was also ordered to pay $2.28 million in legal fees. Despite these setbacks, Lindell remains a key influencer in far-right circles, launching ventures like Frank Speech, a conservative media platform, and continuing to advocate for 'election integrity' initiatives.

Personally, Lindell has been married three times: first to Karen Dick in the 1980s (divorced), then to Darlene Lindell (divorced in 2013), and currently to Kendra Reeves since 2023. He has five children and identifies as a devout Christian, often citing his faith as central to his life and business. His net worth, once estimated at $400 million, has reportedly declined due to boycotts and legal costs following his election-related controversies. Lindell has been criticized for spreading misinformation, with accusations of grifting from supporters, and faced investigations into his business practices, including a 2023 probe by the Minnesota Attorney General over consumer protection issues.