Ion Tiriac: The Surprising Tennis Billionaire
When you think of the wealthiest tennis players, names like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams probably come to mind. But the real answer might surprise you. Ion Tiriac, a former Romanian tennis player, is actually the wealthiest tennis player in the world, past or present.
Although Tiriac may not have as many Grand Slam titles as the aforementioned trio, with his best performance being reaching the quarter-finals in the 1968 French Open, his net worth is a staggering £1.5 billion. In fact, his wealth is over seven times that of Djokovic alone.
Tiriac, now 84 years old, made his fortune outside the world of sports. Taking advantage of the fading communism in Romania towards the end of the Cold War, he set up the country’s first privately-owned bank. It turned out to be a massive success. Under Tiriac Holdings Ltd, he expanded into retail, insurance, and airline businesses.
Besides his business ventures, Tiriac is rumored to be a car enthusiast and owns not one, but two Rolls-Royce Phantom IVs. He also enjoys the luxury of a private jet, a true testament to his immense wealth.
Anna Kasprzak: From Dressage to Billionaire
While Anna Kasprzak may be known as a Danish dressage rider who represented her nation in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, it’s not her equestrian achievements that made her a billionaire. Kasprzak owes her staggering wealth to Danish shoe manufacturer ECCO.
At the age of 34, Kasprzak, along with her brother Andre and mother Hanni, are the proud owners of the £1.46 billion footwear company. Kasprzak sits on the supervisory board and is involved in the company’s operations.
Despite her enormous wealth, Kasprzak has remained passionate about dressage and continues to participate in the sport. She runs a private barn in Haderslev, Denmark, alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits.
Mukesh Ambani: The IPL Connection
Mukesh Ambani, although not a professional sportsman, makes this list due to his involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ambani, 66 years old and India’s richest person, is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited, which owns the IPL team Mumbai Indians.
With a fortune of £81 billion, Ambani is the 11th richest person in the world, according to Forbes. His wealth more than doubled during the Covid pandemic. While not directly linked to sports, his affiliation with the Mumbai Indians and the global popularity of the IPL certainly put him in the billionaire sports club.
Jessica Pegula: Tennis and Billionaire Family Ties
Tennis player Jessica Pegula has been climbing up the ranks, currently sitting fifth in the world rankings and having reached six Grand Slam quarter-finals. While her earnings from tennis, totaling nearly £7 million, may already seem impressive, it pales in comparison to her family’s wealth.
Jessica’s father, Terry Pegula, is worth a massive £4.3 billion. Terry made his fortune from natural gas development and is the owner of the NFL team Buffalo Bills. With such immense wealth, Jessica could one day inherit a significant portion of her father’s fortune.
Despite her family’s wealth, Jessica remains dedicated to her tennis career. In fact, she has her sights set on becoming the world’s No.1 player at some point in her career.
Faiq Bolkiah: The Nephew of Royalty
Faiq Bolkiah may not be a billionaire himself, but as the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, he is often referred to as the richest footballer in the world. The Sultan of Brunei has an estimated fortune of £13 billion, surpassing even former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
While Faiq’s football career hasn’t been as illustrious as his family’s wealth, he did have stints with prestigious clubs like Chelsea, Leicester City, Arsenal, and Southampton. Currently playing in Thailand’s top division with Ratchaburi, Faiq has pursued his dream of being a professional footballer.
With his family’s wealth to fall back on, Faiq won’t have to worry about financial security in the future. His father, Prince Jefri, known as a ‘Playboy Prince,’ is famous for his extravagant lifestyle, such as spending £12.5 million to have Michael Jackson perform at his 50th birthday celebration.
Conclusion
These lesser-known billionaires in the sports world demonstrate that wealth can come from unexpected avenues. From tennis to dressage, business ventures to family ties, their stories showcase the diversity of sources that can lead to immense riches. While their fortunes may be mind-boggling, it is their dedication and accomplishments in their respective fields that have truly set them apart.
