Despite being the most decorated player in darts history, Phil Taylor adopted a surprisingly frugal approach to his finances, building a vast property portfolio while keeping his personal wage astonishingly low.
The Modest Wage of a Darts Millionaire
Phil 'The Power' Taylor, who won an unprecedented 16 PDC world titles, amassed significant wealth over his dominant career. However, during the peak of his success, he deliberately paid himself a basic salary of just £200 per week. Taylor explained this unique strategy in a 2023 interview, stating it was to maintain his competitive drive.
"I paid myself £200 a week wages, so I was always skint, always on the breadline," Taylor said. "A hungry lion will fight harder than a lion that hasn't eaten. You have got to keep yourself hungry. I had 30 houses, I was worth millions, but in my opinion that basic wage was all I was worth."
Building a Property Empire
While his weekly take-home was modest, Taylor wisely invested his tournament earnings into bricks and mortar. At one stage, he owned a remarkable portfolio of 30 houses. This savvy investment strategy starkly contrasts the prize money of his era compared to today's standards.
When he won his first PDC world title in 1995, the champion's prize was £12,000. By his final victory in 2013, this had risen to £100,000. This is still a fraction of the £1 million awarded to the winner of the 2025/26 tournament, highlighting how Taylor's property moves were crucial for long-term financial security.
A Helping Hand for Robbie Williams's Father
One of Taylor's properties holds a special connection to the world of music. He rents a bungalow to Pete Williams, the father of global pop star and fellow Stoke-on-Trent native, Robbie Williams. Pete suffers from Parkinson's disease, and Taylor takes an active role in his wellbeing.
"He lives in one of my bungalows. So, I’ll just give [Robbie] a little update on his dad, just to keep him informed really," Taylor told OLBG in 2023. This care extends to festive periods, where Taylor personally delivers Christmas dinner to Pete and spends time with him, ensuring he is not alone.
"I'll go down and have a chat with him and watch a bit of TV with him," Taylor said of his Christmas Day routine. "Then I'll say I'll see you tomorrow on Boxing Day."
Taylor's story is one of remarkable sporting success paired with shrewd financial planning and deep community ties. From a self-imposed modest wage to a multi-million pound property empire and acts of local kindness, the darts legend's life off the oche is as compelling as his achievements on it.
