8 sporting stars who were already mega rich before they landed huge career payday
Sports fans love nothing more than rags to riches stories of athletes finding fame and fortune from applying their talent – but many are already extremely wealthy thanks to their families.
From former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo to Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, some famous sporting figures have never had to be concerned over how they would pay the bills.
Daily Star Sport has taken a look at eight recognisable faces that were born with plenty of cash in the bank – including a former Chelsea youth prospect.
READ MORE: Six footballers who got much richer after retiring – including Asamoah Gyan’s empire
Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo earned millions during his 22-year professional football career, which included 19 Serie A seasons and three in MLS with New York City FC.
However, the Italy icon admitted during his career he has never playing for the money having held a stake in his father’s metal trading company since 1992.
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Pirlo is also a wine connoisseur and was thinking about spending more time in his vineyard a full four years before his eventual retirement.
He said: “For now I’m only thinking about playing football for the next few years. Then, I will definitely spend more time in the vineyard too.”
Steph Curry
Steph Curry, a four-time NBA champion and two times NBA most valuable player, grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina with mum Sonya and dad Dell.
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Dell, a former professional basketball player, played for the likes of Utah Jazz and Steph’s future side Cleveland Cavaliers while earning an estimated £8million.
Going on to eclipse his father’s achievements, Steph has earned around £40m and gone on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Nick Foles
American football quarterback Nick Foles, who became a Super Bowl champion back in 2018 with the Philadelphia Eagle, is the son of restaurateurs Larry and Melissa Foles.
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Larry was a self-made millionaire before his son got into the NFL having co-founded Eddie V’s Prime Seaford and helped run it through Nick’s childhood.
Back in 2011, Eddie is believed to have earned around £50m after selling 11 Eddie V’s franchise locations, with Nick thought to be worth around £25m.
Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula has pocketed more than £4.5m having been on the professional WTA circuit since 2009, reaching the quarter-finals of both Australian and French Open.
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Pegula’s parents Terry and Kim are the owners of NFL side Buffalo Bills and NHL outfit Buffalo Sabres – with an estimated net worth of around £5billion.
Pegula said back in 2020: “I know I was more privileged than other people. I’m aware of that. I try to be very down-to-earth, and I think I am.”
Faiq Bolkiah
Faiq Bolkiah, 23, is a member of the Bruneian royal family and begun a football career at A.F.C. Newbury back in 2008 where he would catch the eye of Southampton scouts.
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Having trained with both Reading and Arsenal, Bolkiah moved to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea on a two-year youth contract, and ended up leaving in 2015.
Following a trial with Stoke, the youngster joined Leicester City on a three-year professional contract before leaving in 2020. Most recently playing for Chonburi.
The Brunei royal family, led by Faiq’s grandfather Hasnal Bolkiah, have assets of around £15billion.
Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique comes from a wealthy family having a grandfather who was a director at Barcelona, an attorney father and a hospital director mother.
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He has gone on to play for Manchester United and Real Zaragoza before 14 full seasons with Barcelona having recently agreed to take a huge pay cut.
With on-field earnings and sponsorships, the 35-year-old has an estimated net worth of around £65m.
Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius, a former professional sprinter, was born to Henke and Sheila Pistorius in 1986 – with a huge family bank balance coming from H Pistorius & Co.
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Grandfather Hendrik founded the business with a small limestone mine back in 1944, which has current assets of around 120 companies.
Pistorius went on to create his own wealth through track success and sponsorships before being found guilty of the murder of wife Reeva Steenkamp and being imprisoned.
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is said to have pursued a football career against the wishes of his father according to The Mirror, who say he has a millionaire background.
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Ten Hag’s father owns a real estate company and other financial firms, but he opted to pursue his dream and sign for Twente and enjoy a 23-year professional career.
He has since managed Utrecht and Ajax before joining United, where is wages are estimated to be £9m-a-year.
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