Carter Milliken Reum, born on February 5, 1981, is a well-known American entrepreneur, author, and venture capitalist. Raised in a family with a strong business pedigree, Carter’s path to success seemed natural yet was shaped by his own ambitions and hard work.
His father, Robert Reum, served as chairman and CEO of Amsted Industries, a massive private company with a significant industrial footprint. Growing up in this environment helped Carter understand business dynamics from a young age.
Carter attended Columbia University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in economics. His academic achievements laid a solid foundation for what would become a dynamic career in business, investment, and entrepreneurship.
Alongside his brother Courtney Reum, Carter embarked on a multi-faceted journey combining operational entrepreneurship and investment strategy with considerable success.
Carter’s broader public profile rose in part because of his marriage to Paris Hilton, a media and business personality. They tied the knot in November 2021, blending their personal and professional lives in the public arena.
However, Carter’s identity as a businessman and investor is well-established independently of his high-profile relationship.
Career Highlights and Business Ventures
After finishing his education, Carter kick-started his career at Goldman Sachs, one of the highest regarded investment banks in the world. His tenure there from 2004 to 2006 furnished him with essential skills in finance and investment banking.
The deep understanding of financial markets and deal-making he developed during this time became invaluable in his later pursuits.
Together with his brother Courtney, Carter co-founded VEEV Spirits, an innovative company known for producing a premium line of organic spirits. Launched in the mid-2010s, the brand quickly attracted attention for its unique products and marketing strategy.
VEEV Spirits was recognized for impressive growth; it earned a spot on Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest-growing private companies in 2018. This accomplishment was a significant milestone and helped establish Carter Reum as a serious entrepreneur with a knack for creating consumer brands.
In 2016, the Reum brothers expanded their scope by founding M13 Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in consumer brands and technology startups. M13 seeks out early-stage companies that possess the potential to disrupt markets and scale rapidly.
Their portfolio is diverse and includes well-known companies such as Lyft, Pinterest, Ring, Daily Harvest, and even SpaceX, among others. M13’s strategy involves leveraging its experience in building brands to help startups grow authentically and sustainably.
Their venture capital approach has gained recognition for its effectiveness. Combining traditional investment with hands-on mentorship and operational support, M13 helps turn promising startups into established players.
This integration of investment and hands-on partnership underscores Carter’s vision of business success as a blend of financial strategy and active involvement.
Beyond the boardroom, Carter has authored a book with his brother titled “Shortcut Your Startup: Ten Ways to Speed Up Entrepreneurial Success.”
The book encapsulates lessons learned from their entrepreneurial and investing journey. It offers practical advice and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to accelerate their growth and overcome common obstacles.
Carter’s media presence is notable as well. He has been featured in various business publications and has contributed articles on entrepreneurship and investing to the Huffington Post and Inc. magazine. Public appearances and interviews further cement his reputation as a thoughtful business leader.
Personal Life and Public Image
Carter Reum’s personal life also contributes to his public recognition. His marriage to Paris Hilton in 2021 made headlines, blending their respective worlds of business, entertainment, and celebrity culture.
Together, they have expanded their family and often appear publicly at events, supporting charity, fashion, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Carter Reum (Credit: CNN)
Despite his high-profile romance, Carter maintains a focus on his entrepreneurial ventures and is reported to be deeply involved in growing new business opportunities. Balancing family and business, he exemplifies the modern entrepreneur who manages multiple roles with passion and diligence.
Net Worth
Carter Reum’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $20 million. This figure represents a culmination of earnings from his entrepreneurial ventures, returns from venture capital investments, and personal wealth accumulated over years of strategic business activity.
While this amount is modest compared to the net worth of his wife, Paris Hilton, who is valued at around $300 million, Carter’s wealth is nonetheless a marker of substantial success.
His accomplishments speak to his ability to generate value independently through ventures like VEEV Spirits and his role in venture investing at M13.
Family background has aided his initial platform, as the Reum family is known for significant wealth stemming from industrial holdings such as Amsted Industries. Nevertheless, Carter’s net worth is primarily the result of his active efforts rather than inheritance.
VEEV Spirits’ rapid expansion and market presence contributed a considerable portion of his wealth, especially during phases of business growth and sales.
Transitioning into venture capital allowed Carter to diversify and multiply his financial base. Investments in high-profile and emerging companies have brought both prestige and lucrative returns.
M13’s status among top-tier venture firms adds to Carter’s financial and professional standing. The firm’s ability to identify early-stage opportunities and guide them toward growth has created multiple win scenarios, impacting the Reum brothers’ wealth.
The combination of direct business ownership and venture capital investing can generate significant financial rewards, especially with a portfolio that includes companies like SpaceX and Lyft. While exact figures on returns from M13 investments are private, the firm is widely regarded as successful and influential.
Carter’s approach to wealth building reflects broader trends among new-age entrepreneurs who blend product creation with strategic investments. By nurturing startups while scaling their ventures, Carter has built a sustainable model for increasing wealth and influence.
Looking Ahead
Carter Reum is well-positioned for continued success. His dual expertise as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist provides multiple pathways for growth. The venture capital firm M13 continues to attract promising startups, while consumer brands remain a consistent area of interest.
Additionally, media exposure and personal branding aligned with his wife, Paris Hilton’s, public persona open further channels for business and philanthropy. Carter’s future will likely involve expanding M13’s portfolio, launching new ventures, and exploring emerging markets and trends.
His story serves as an example of combining a solid educational foundation, family influence, and personal ambition to build a diverse and resilient financial and professional portfolio.
Carter Reum’s journey from an investment banker to a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist reflects determination, innovation, and strategic vision. His net worth of around $20 million symbolizes these achievements and the value generated through his varied business activities.
His ability to identify potential, whether in spirits or startups, and to act decisively positions him as a formidable player in today’s entrepreneurial and investment landscapes. This status will likely continue to evolve as he takes on new challenges and embraces business opportunities in the years ahead.
The ending of Frozen 2 builds toward Elsa’s daring journey into Ahtohallan, a legendary river of memory said to hold answers to the past. Throughout the film, Elsa hears a mysterious voice calling her northward, compelling her to leave behind Arendelle in search of the truth.
This call is revealed in Ahtohallan, where Elsa uncovers the full story of the conflict between Arendelle and the Northuldra people.
Through visions in the ice, Elsa learns that the kingdom’s history was not as noble as she once believed. Her grandfather, King Runeard, betrayed the Northuldra during a moment of supposed peace by building a dam designed not to unite but to weaken them.
He attacked their leader, sparking mistrust and anger that led to the forest spirits trapping both peoples within an enchanted mist. This revelation confirms that the root of the unrest lies not in magic itself but in human greed and fear.
As she goes deeper into Ahtohallan, Elsa embraces the origin of her powers. She learns she is the “fifth spirit,” a bridge between humans and nature’s elemental forces. The voice that had been calling her all along was the memory of her mother, Iduna.
By discovering this truth, Elsa claims her identity as guardian of the balance between Arendelle and the enchanted forest. However, the icy waters of Ahtohallan overwhelm her, freezing her body until she cannot return.
In her last moments before freezing completely, Elsa sends her memories through Olaf and then to Anna, trusting her sister to complete what she cannot.
This sacrifice reflects Elsa’s acceptance of her destiny, but it also highlights Anna’s vital role. While Elsa may embody the bridge to the magical spirits, Anna carries the responsibility of action and leadership.
Anna’s Rise: Ending the Cycle of Injustice
While Elsa struggles in Ahtohallan, the focus shifts to Anna, who becomes the film’s true force of resolution. Through Elsa’s messages, Anna realizes that the dam must be destroyed to break the curse and restore harmony.
The dam was built on betrayal and injustice, and its destruction symbolizes reconciliation and healing between Arendelle and the Northuldra.
Anna leads the giant earth spirits toward the dam, knowing that if it collapses, Arendelle itself will be flooded and potentially destroyed.
This decision shows Anna’s transformation from the eager, sometimes naïve girl in the first film into a mature, decisive leader willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good. For her, justice demands action, even if the cost is painful.
Kristoff plays a supporting but significant role here, standing by Anna and trusting her leadership without hesitation. His love for her underscores one of the film’s recurring themes: true strength comes not from dominance but from support and trust. Together, they succeed in directing the giants to demolish the dam.
With the dam destroyed, the river is freed, and the natural balance is restored. The mist surrounding the enchanted forest disappears, symbolizing the healing of the rift between humans and spirits.
Elsa, revived through the release of this balance, thaws in Ahtohallan, regaining her strength and her role as the mediator between both worlds.
Elsa and Anna’s Separate Paths and Shared Future
The ending of Frozen 2 offers something unexpected: Elsa and Anna, once inseparable, choose different roles. Elsa realizes she belongs in the enchanted forest, where she can serve as guardian of magic, protecting the spirits and keeping peace between nature and humankind.
Arendelle, in contrast, needs a stable and empathetic ruler with a human perspective. Anna is crowned Queen of Arendelle, fully stepping into her role as a leader of people rather than simply Elsa’s supportive sister.
This division is not a separation of love but a realization of purpose. Elsa and Anna symbolize two halves of the same whole: one tied to the magic of the world, the other tied to human responsibility. Instead of clinging to being together physically, they strengthen their bond by trusting each other in their destined roles.
Elsa’s independence resolves her long-standing feeling of not fully belonging in Arendelle, while Anna’s coronation fulfills her arc from overlooked princess to mature monarch.
Frozen 2 (Credit: Jio Hotstar)
Their reunion at the very end highlights this harmony. Though distance will now exist between them, their hearts are tied closer than ever because they finally accept who they truly are.
Themes of Truth, Family, and Responsibility
The end of Frozen 2 resonates strongly because it addresses deeper themes than the first film. One of the most important lessons is the necessity of facing uncomfortable truths.
Elsa and Anna’s family history is riddled with betrayal, yet they do not run from it. Instead, Anna confronts the consequences head-on, proving that breaking cycles of injustice sometimes requires difficult sacrifices.
Another central theme is identity. Elsa has spent much of her life hiding or questioning her powers. In the end, she accepts them fully, not as a curse but as her calling. Conversely, Anna accepts a role that is quieter but equally essential in leadership, diplomacy, and protection of Arendelle.
Together, their dual acceptance of identity shows that fulfillment looks different for each person, yet both are equally important.
The film also emphasizes family bonds. Olaf, though briefly lost when Elsa froze, returns because of Elsa’s survival, strengthening the idea that love and connection endure even through loss.
Kristoff’s patient support and eventual heartfelt proposal to Anna further show that love is built on understanding and partnership. These relationships, from sisters to friends to romantic love, define the heart of the ending.
Why the Ending Leaves a Lasting Impact
The conclusion of Frozen 2 appeals to audiences because it balances fantasy spectacle with intimate, emotional resolution. Elsa riding into the forest on the Nokk, glowing with confidence and freedom, mirrors Anna’s steady coronation as Queen. Both visuals provide closure while promising new beginnings.
The kingdom is safe, the enchanted forest is at peace, and the sisters’ relationship reaches its most mature form: one rooted in respect and independence rather than constant dependence.
The messaging is particularly powerful for younger and older audiences alike. Children see the importance of honesty, bravery, and embracing who they are, while adults may resonate with the deeper ideas of carrying familial responsibility, healing generational harm, and finding one’s place in the world.
By refusing to keep Anna and Elsa on the same path, the film challenges traditional fairy tale endings. It reinforces that true happily-ever-afters are not about perfect unity or sameness, but about individuals fulfilling their own destinies while staying deeply connected.
