David Beckham has become Britain's first billionaire sportsman after his wealth doubled in the past year, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. The former England captain and his wife Victoria have amassed a fortune of nearly £1.2 billion, up from £500 million a year ago.
Wealth Comparison with King Charles
The Beckhams are now worth nearly twice as much as King Charles III, whose personal fortune is estimated at £680 million, a £40 million increase thanks to rising investment values.
Key Drivers of Beckham's Wealth
While Beckham has numerous sponsorship and endorsement deals, the main reasons for his surging fortunes are property investments and his stake in Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Beckham invested £16 million in the venture, which launched as the MLS's 25th club in early 2018. The club's roster includes legendary footballer Lionel Messi.
Authors of the Sunday Times Rich List estimate Beckham's stake in Inter Miami is now worth £300 million. Additionally, property around the club's new 25,000-seater stadium, called Freedom Park, which includes shops, hospitality, entertainment, and offices, is valued at £400 million.
Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, said: "I wouldn't want to play David Beckham at Monopoly."
Rich List Rankings
The Beckhams have jumped from joint 273rd to 141st on this year's list. Their fortune also includes a £50 million London home and a £20 million estate in the Cotswolds.
King Charles' wealth, which excludes the Crown Estate, is put at £680 million. The Sunday Times Rich List tracks the changing fortunes of the UK's 350 wealthiest individuals and families. Their combined wealth this year has risen by 1.4% to £784 billion, a sum larger than the annual economy of Belgium, Sweden, and Israel. There are now 157 UK billionaires, 20 fewer than four years ago. The minimum entry level dips to £340 million.
Other Notable Names on the List
Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis are sitting on a £375 million fortune, boosted by their reunion tour of 41 shows between July and November last year, which took almost £400 million at the box office and preceded a sale of the group's song rights.
Glastonbury's Emily Eavis appears on the list for the first time, in 314th place. Her father Sir Michael first hosted the festival at Worthy Farm in 1970. The business is partly owned by family trusts, and experts suggest the festival could be worth at least £400 million.
The young list includes heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, aged 37, with a £162 million fortune, above singer Dua Lipa's £150 million, but less than former One Direction star Harry Styles' estimated £235 million.
Other famous names include Sir Elton John (277th, £480 million), Lord Lloyd-Webber (260th, £516 million), Harry Potter author JK Rowling (159th, £975 million), and Rolling Stones legends Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (joint 284th, £450 million each).
Criticism from TUC
Separate research by the TUC found that the number of billionaires has doubled since 2010, while real wages for ordinary workers have stagnated. The average wealth of a Sunday Times Rich List member is over 7,600 times higher than an average UK household. While there were only nine billionaires when the list began in 1989, there are now 157.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: "We need an economy that rewards work – not just wealth. Under the Conservatives, the wealthiest were allowed to feather their nests while working people suffered an epidemic of insecure work and the worst pay stagnation in two centuries. Clearly wealth has not trickled down – it has been hoarded by those at the top. This isn't right. With ordinary people struggling to pay the bills, it's time for billionaires to pay their fair share in tax to protect households and firms from the effects of Donald Trump's illegal war. People have had it with a system where those with the broadest shoulders don't pull their weight."
