David Beckham becomes UK’s first billionaire sportsperson

Sir David Beckham is Britain’s first billionaire sportsman after he and his wife Lady Victoria doubled their wealth in the last year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

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The celebrity couple now have a combined fortune of £1.185 billion, a significant increase to the £500 million estimated net worth they had on the 2025 list.

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 £2bn.

Former England captain Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable club at $1.45bn (£1.07bn).

He has also made huge sums as a brand ambassador for companies such as 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.

Joining Beckham on the richest sportspeople list are promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn, whose combined wealth was estimated at £1.035bn.

Barry Hearn is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters across boxing, darts, and snooker. His son Eddie is the chairman of Matchroom and is best known as the public face of its boxing division.

Eddie Hearn is the promoter of British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, who is eighth on the list with a fortune of £240m. That places him above another heavyweight, Tyson Fury, who is ninth on £162m.

Hearn announced last month that Joshua had signed a deal to fight Fury, with no confirmed date or venue as yet.

Seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton is fifth on the list (£435m), while back-to-back Masters golf champion Rory McIlroy is seventh with £325m.

England football captain Harry Kane and two-time Wimbledon tennis champion Sir Andy Murray are joint 10th on £110m each.