David Beckham – UK’s First Billionaire Sportsman
Sir David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List. The collective wealth of Beckham and his wife Victoria passed the billion-pound mark this year, reaching £1.185 billion ($1.6 billion).
That placed them second in the Sunday Times’ list of wealthiest sportspeople, behind the family of ex-Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose wealth was placed at £2 billion.
How did he build this wealth?
Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable club at $1.45 billion (£1.07 billion). He has also made huge sums as a brand ambassador for companies like Adidas and Hugo Boss. Victoria Beckham’s wealth has primarily been generated from the fashion label she set up in her name, having originally found fame and fortune as a member of the Spice Girls.
Others on the Sporting Rich List
Lewis Hamilton is fifth on the list with a fortune of £435 million, while reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy is seventh with £325 million. Boxer Anthony Joshua placed eighth with £240 million, one place above heavyweight rival Tyson Fury at £162 million. Harry Kane and Andy Murray are joint 10th with £110 million each.
Boxing promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn have also crossed the billion-pound threshold, with a combined fortune estimated at £1.035 billion.
Notable mover on the overall Rich List
Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe dropped from seventh to ninth on the overall Rich List, his fortune shrinking by £1.85 billion to £15.194 billion, with the list compilers lowering the value of his petrochemicals company Ineos due to “rising debt, falling revenues and a loss of £515.7 million.”
It’s worth noting that one outlet, Celebrity Net Worth, has questioned the Sunday Times’ methodology, suggesting the figures may be overstated — but the headline milestone of Beckham being the first British sportsman to reach billionaire status is widely reported across major news organisations.