Sir David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. He and his wife, Lady Victoria, have doubled their wealth over the past year, now boasting a combined fortune of £1.185 billion. This marks a significant increase from the £500 million estimated net worth they held on the 2025 list.
Sources of Wealth Growth
The substantial rise in their wealth is largely attributed to Sir David’s investments in the United States. The signing of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami until 2028 has boosted the value of his stake in the club, while a major property development adjacent to Inter’s home stadium has provided an additional windfall. Meanwhile, revenues at Lady Beckham’s eponymous fashion line have surpassed £100 million.
Family Feud in the Spotlight
The revelation comes amid a public feud between the couple and their eldest son, Brooklyn. In a lengthy social media post in January, Brooklyn accused his parents of “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped.” He also alleged that his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, daughter of billionaire Nelson Peltz, had been “disrespected” by his family.
New Entries on the Rich List
Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher are newcomers to the list, thanks to their sell-out tour last year. The pair have an estimated joint wealth of £375 million from 41 shows performed with the band between July and November. However, the reunion sparked controversy after some standard tickets in the UK and Ireland jumped from £148 to £355, prompting the government and competition watchdog to pledge a review of dynamic pricing. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is currently working on a documentary about the reunion concerts, set for cinema release and streaming on Disney+.
Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis and her family are also newcomers, with an estimated wealth of £400 million. Her father, Sir Michael Eavis, hosted the first music festival at Worthy Farm in 1970. The business is now partly owned by family trusts.
Top of the List and Other Notable Names
The billionaire Hinduja family tops the annual list for the fourth consecutive year, following the death of patriarch Gopichand Hinduja last year. His children Sanjay and Dheeraj Hinduja, along with their family, now inherit the top spot, with the list valuing their wealth at £38 billion, up from £35.3 billion last year.
Other household names on the list include musicians Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Sir Brian May; theatre impresario Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber; author JK Rowling; make-up guru Charlotte Tilbury; and racing driver Sir Lewis Hamilton. The King also appears with an estimated wealth of £680 million.
Boxer Tyson Fury debuts in this year’s 40 under 40 list with an estimated wealth of £162 million. He is surpassed by musicians Ed Sheeran (£410 million), Harry Styles (£235 million), and Adele (£172 million). Pop star Dua Lipa also makes the list with £150 million, while Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe slips into 39th place with £103 million.
