David Sullivan, the former West Ham United chairman whose £1.1 billion fortune was built on a pornography empire and property investments, has stepped down from his role. The BBC and The Times are preparing a joint investigation into allegations about his private life, which he has denied.
David Sullivan's Fiancée
Sullivan, 77, is engaged to former reality TV star Ampika Pickston, 44, who is 33 years his junior. She rose to fame on the reality show The Real Housewives of Cheshire. The couple have been engaged since 2021 and are frequently seen attending West Ham matches. Speaking about their upcoming wedding, Pickston told Closer: "[The wedding is] going to be a very quiet, discreet affair in London. David doesn't want a circus or paparazzi. He just wants to enjoy the day with no pressure. It's about that symbolic moment of two people coming together to show their love." She added: "We're quite private people. I know that sounds a bit tongue-in-cheek when you're on a reality show, but our circle is very tight and we're selective about who we spend time with. We actually spend a lot of time just the two of us."
David Sullivan's Pornography Empire
Sullivan, who co-owned West Ham for 16 years, made most of his fortune in the 1970s through adult entertainment magazines and films. He launched the Sunday Sport and Daily Sport in the 1980s, tabloids known for featuring semi-nude models. He also established a mail-order softcore photography business and, with late co-chairman David Gold, opened sex shops and produced low-budget porn films. Sullivan has said he is not ashamed of his past, describing himself as a "freedom fighter." In 2016, he stated: "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 owns several lavish properties. He told Bloomberg that he spent about £75 million on his Marylebone residence and another £50 million renovating it. Built in 1775, the house has 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a swimming pool, a wine cellar, a cinema room, and a sauna. It has attracted celebrity attention, with Kate Moss shooting a campaign there and Amy Winehouse using it for her "Rehab" music video. Sullivan also owns a £7.5 million mansion in Essex spanning over 25,000 square feet, with 14 bedrooms, opulent bathrooms, and a dining room for 24 guests. A distinctive feature is his collection of silicone servants, each reportedly worth £50,000, placed throughout the rooms.
David Sullivan Net Worth
Sullivan is the fifth-richest person from Wales, with a net worth of £1.1 billion according to the Sunday Times Rich List. His fortune grew from the sale of the Sunday Sport and Daily Sport for £45 million. He became a millionaire by age 25 through porn film production and reinvested in property. His investment firm holds lucrative London properties, including retail units on Oxford Street and period mansions in Marylebone. Alongside the Gold brothers, Sullivan bought Birmingham City out of administration for £700,000 in 1993, later selling their stake for an estimated £80 million profit.
