A little-known Romanian tennis star is now a mega-rich businessman worth more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ion Tiriac has amassed staggering wealth since retiring from the sport back in the late 1970s. He had a modest tennis career, which saw him go no further than the fourth round at Wimbledon.
His best performance at a Grand Slam came at the 1968 French Open, where he reached the quarter-finals. Tiriac did taste glory in doubles though, winning the title at Roland Garros in 1970. He also played for his country in three Davis Cup finals.
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Tiriac was also an accomplished ice hockey player, representing his country at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Tokyo. After retiring from top-level sport, the now 85-year-old went into coaching and player management, working with the likes of Boris Becker and Marat Safin.
But it has been away from sport where he has earned his biggest rewards. Tiriac started an investment career after the fall of communism in Romania. He founded the Tiriac Group, which has assets in property, the automobile industry and financial services, plus other sectors.
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That has led to Tiriac building up an estimated net worth of £1.6billion, according to US business magazine Forbes. That’s almost four times more than Ronaldo, who is believed to be worth £450million, thanks partly to the £170million a year he is paid by Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
Tiriac’s wealth surpasses that of Ronaldo and fellow football superstar Lionel Messi, who is estimated to be worth around £500million, combined. With such immense riches, the Bucharest-based billionaire has in a lavish lifestyle.
Tiriac reportedly owns a car and motorcycle collection boasting over 400 models, including vehicles previously owned by Al Capone, Sammy Davis Jr and Elton John. He still keeps tabs on the tennis word and was spotted at the French Open at Roland Garros in June.