David Sullivan, who announced his resignation from his role at West Ham over the weekend, has built a vast empire through adult entertainment, media, and football. The former joint-chairman and director is stepping down to address what he calls 'false allegations' regarding his private life.
The BBC, in collaboration with The Times, is set to release a joint investigation into several serious allegations about Sullivan's personal life. This will be broadcast on BBC1's Panorama on Monday evening at 8pm. Here, we delve deeper into the background of the former Irons chair.
David Sullivan's Pornography Empire
Sullivan, who co-owned West Ham for 16 years, amassed the majority of his fortune through producing adult entertainment via magazines and films in the 1970s. He launched the Sunday Sport and Daily Sport in the 1980s, tabloids notorious for featuring semi-nude models. Sullivan then started a mail-order softcore photography business and, alongside David Gold, the late co-West Ham chair, he opened several sex shops and even dabbled in creating low-budget porn films.
Sullivan stated he never felt shame about being in the porn industry, once dubbing himself a 'freedom fighter.' In 2016, he said: 'I am not ashamed of it - I only sold to adults and all my material was with adults. It is a dead business now as the sex shops make no money, I only keep them on for the staff.'
David Sullivan's Mansion
Sullivan possesses numerous lavish properties. He revealed to Bloomberg that he spent roughly £75m on his magnificent Marylebone residence and approximately £50m on renovating it. According to property specialists Knight Frank, the dwelling was constructed in 1775 and boasts 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a swimming pool, a wine cellar, a cinema room, and a sauna.
The residence has also served as a magnet for celebrity glamour throughout the years. Supermodel Kate Moss once filmed a campaign at the property, while the late singer Amy Winehouse used it as the backdrop for her 'Rehab' music video.
Sullivan additionally owns an expansive £7.5m estate in Essex covering more than 25,000 sq ft. It is believed to be one of three equally opulent properties the entrepreneur owns. Nestled within acres of grounds, it features 14 bedrooms, multiple luxury bathrooms, and a dining area capable of seating up to 24 guests. One distinctive element is Sullivan's collection of silicone servants, each allegedly valued at about £50k, which are scattered throughout the various rooms.
David Sullivan Net Worth
Sullivan ranks as the fifth-wealthiest individual from Wales, having been born in Cardiff, with his fortune recently valued at £1.1 billion in the Sunday Times Rich List. A substantial portion of his riches originated from selling the Sunday Sport and subsequently the Daily Sport for a staggering £45m. His endeavours in creating adult films transformed him into a millionaire by age 25.
Sullivan also ploughed his profits back into real estate. He runs an investment firm that controls extremely valuable properties throughout London, including shopping units on Oxford Street and period mansions in Marylebone. By the late 2000s, his property empire was reported to represent a massive portion of his overall net worth.
Alongside the Gold brothers, Sullivan purchased Birmingham City from administration for £700,000 in 1993. During the following 16 years, they steadied the club and ultimately sold their holdings for a profit thought to be in the region of £80m.
