Former England football captain David Beckham has reportedly become Britain’s first billionaire sports star, with his wealth reaching new heights according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.
The milestone comes shortly after Beckham celebrated his 51st birthday with a private dinner at the luxurious The Dorchester in London.
Reports revealed that Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham have seen their combined fortune more than double over the past year, bringing their estimated wealth close to £1.2 billion.
Despite the financial success, the couple have reportedly faced personal tensions within the family, following ongoing speculation surrounding a rift involving eldest son Brooklyn Beckham and daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz.
Beckham’s rise to billionaire status marks a remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in east London, where he was born in 1975 to a heating engineer father and hairdresser mother.
After joining Manchester United’s academy at the age of 16 in 1991, Beckham reportedly earned just £29.50 a week before eventually becoming one of football’s biggest global icons both on and off the pitch.
His marriage to former Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham further cemented the couple’s celebrity status worldwide.
The Beckhams now own several luxury properties, including a £50 million Grade II-listed mansion in London’s Holland Park, a £20 million countryside estate in the Cotswolds and a £60 million waterfront mansion in Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay.
They also reportedly own a £20 million luxury yacht named “Seven”, inspired by Beckham’s famous squad number during his playing career for Manchester United and England.
Much of the dramatic rise in Beckham’s wealth has reportedly been linked to his involvement with Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer club he helped establish in Florida.
Beckham exercised an option to purchase an MLS expansion franchise in 2014, with reports stating his initial investment was around £16 million before the club officially launched in 2018.
The club’s value surged significantly after the signing of football superstar Lionel Messi in 2023, helping Inter Miami achieve major commercial and sporting success.
According to Forbes estimates cited in reports, Inter Miami is now valued at around £900 million, with Beckham’s personal stake believed to be worth approximately £300 million.
Additional value has also come from the development surrounding the club’s new Freedom Park stadium complex, which is expected to include entertainment venues, shops, offices and hospitality facilities.
Beyond football, Beckham continues to generate substantial income through endorsement deals with brands including Adidas, Haig whisky and Stella Artois.
Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham’s fashion and beauty empire has also continued expanding, including a recent collaboration with high street retailer Gap.
The couple’s popularity also received another major boost through their successful Netflix documentary series, which further elevated the Beckham brand globally and reportedly opened the door for additional lucrative media projects in the future.
