Superstar David Beckham has achieved the milestone of becoming the first billionaire athlete in Britain, with his wealth doubling over the past year to a staggering near £1.2 billion. According to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, David and his wife Victoria have seen their fortune soar from £500 million a year ago, now surpassing that of King Charles III by almost twice the amount. While Beckham has numerous lucrative sponsorship deals, the primary contributors to his financial success are his investments in property and ownership stake in the Major Soccer League club, Inter Miami.
Celebrating his 51st birthday recently, Beckham reportedly invested £16 million in Inter Miami, which was established as the 25th club in the MLS in early 2018. The Sunday Times Rich List estimates his stake in the club to be around £300 million, in addition to his holdings in property near the club’s new 25,000-seater stadium, named Freedom Park. This development will feature various amenities like shops, entertainment venues, and offices, with Beckham’s share valued at £400 million.
The compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, Robert Watts, humorously remarked, “I wouldn’t want to play David Beckham at Monopoly.” The Beckhams have significantly climbed the rankings on this year’s list, now standing at 141st place, with their wealth extending to properties such as a £50 million London residence and a £20 million estate in the Cotswolds.
The latest Sunday Times Rich List encompasses prominent figures from business, sports, and entertainment, tracking the financial changes of the UK’s 350 wealthiest individuals and families. The collective wealth of these individuals has increased by 1.4% to reach £784 billion this year, surpassing the annual GDP of countries like Belgium, Sweden, and Israel. Notably, there are now 157 billionaires in the UK, with the minimum entry level set at £340 million.
Among the notable personalities on the list are Liam and Noel Gallagher, jointly holding a £375 million fortune, propelled by the success of their reunion tour and song rights sale. Additionally, figures such as Sir Elton John, Lord Lloyd-Webber, J.K. Rowling, and the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards feature prominently on the list, showcasing their substantial wealth.
Separate research by the TUC revealed a stark contrast between the growing number of billionaires since 2010 and the stagnant real wages of ordinary workers. The average wealth of a Sunday Times Rich List member far exceeds that of an average UK household, emphasizing the growing wealth disparity in the country. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak emphasized the need for a fairer economic system where billionaires contribute their share in taxes to support households and businesses.