- Former Manchester United star player Rio Ferdinand is worth over $70 million and has been named an expensive player a couple of times in his career
- He has several business ventures and continues to use his money to help and empower the youths
- Rio Ferdinand remarried after the death of his first wife and altogether has 4 kids so far.
After an impressive 12 years playing for the English football club, Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand showed why he ended up being one of England’s most decorated players. In addition to this, Rio Ferdinand net worth is said to have risen above $70 million.
The English former soccer player began his journey into the world of soccer in the early-1990s. Since then, he played for as many as 6 clubs, spending the bulk of his career in Manchester United.
Starting a youth career in West Ham United, Rio Ferdinand ended his soccer career in Queen Parks Rangers. At the end of his stint as a football player, he amassed so much wealth.
A Look into Rio Ferdinand’s Life and Career
He was born Rio Gavin Ferdinand in Camberwell, England on the 7th of November 1978. However, he grew up in Peckham with his Irish mother, Janice Lavender, and an Afro-Saint Lucian father known as Julian Ferdinand.
He grew up in a large extended family as his mother had 5 siblings while his father had as many as 10 family members around. Janice worked as a childcarer while Julian was a tailor.
His father never got married to his mother and so their separation 14 years after he was born was not so messy. Ferdinand was still close to his family and was the one who introduced his boys to football from a young age.
Rio has a younger brother named Anton Ferdinand who is also a football player though not as famous as Rio. He also has a sister.
Officially, the young Ferdinand’s football career as an amateur started with youth teams and at Eltham Town. He initially started as an attacking midfielder but scouts felt he would do better as a center-back player.
By 1992, Rio joined the West Ham youth team and signed his first Youth Training Scheme contract in 1994. There, he played with the likes of Frank Lampard. At the age of 16, Ferdinand joined the England youth team.
Moving on to his club career, Rio made his senior club debut on the 5th of May 1996. He had progressed from the youth team of West Ham United to their Club team. He remained here till 1996 when he moved to AFC Bournemouth.
By the year 2000, Rio had left Bournemouth and joined Premier League club, Leeds United. Here, he signed a record deal that made him the most expensive defensive player in the world.
At Leeds, he replaced Lucas Radebe as the club’s captain after showcasing impressive skills. By 2002, Rio moved to Manchester United where he spent the bulk of his footballing career. He was at the English club for 12 years and only left in 2014 after a series of contract extensions.
Ferdinand had quite a memorable stint at Manchester United but on July 17, 2014, signed with Queens Park Rangers. The club was a newly promoted Premier League Club and he only signed with the club for a season.
The Queen Park Ranger’s signee declared that he would be retiring after the season and he kept to his word. Nonetheless, Rio also had a remarkable international career that lasted from 1996 to 2011.
What really is Rio Ferdinand Net Worth?
The former Manchester United star is said to have a net worth of about $75 million. The center-back amassed about 81 caps for his country and was part of the FIFA World Cups thrice.
His wealth mostly comes from his successful career as a football player and also his various ventures. Rio Ferdinand is one of the few athletes in the world who got engaged in several other ventures apart from his career.
However, most of these other ventures came after his retirement from football. Nonetheless, while still actively participating in the sports of football, he was one of the highest-paid defenders. In addition to this, Ferdinand also had a mouth-watering deal with Nike. The brand was the player’s official sponsor and he was their brand ambassador who was featured in their commercials.
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How Ferdinand Makes his Wealth
The Nike ambassador with his sponsorship deal with Nike had a deal signed worth about 1 million pounds. This was in 2014 and in addition to this sponsorship deal, he got another deal.
Due to his large following on Twitter, he became an influencer and was hired by the chocolate brand Mars. Rio Ferdinand, as a result of this, became a brand influencer on Twitter for the Snickers bar of Mars.
He is also the ambassador of New Era Global Sports. The brand opened a football agency and during its launch, Rio Ferdinand was the one who opened the office of the New Era Global Sports Management at the Innovation Factory in Belfast.
- He Owns a Restaurant
In addition to being a brand ambassador, the one-time England captain also owns a restaurant. ‘Rosso’ as the restaurant is named is an Italian eatery located in Manchester. The restaurant is situated at the top of King Street and has housed and fed many top celebrities.
It became a favorite for celebrities who live and visit Manchester and has also hosted a party of stars. Top-notch events have been held at Rosso including the ones organized by the United Player’s former club.
Apart from being a safe spot for visitors, celebrities, and other Italian food lovers, Rosso offers an impressive service as well. The restaurant opens its doors to youngins who have a passion for cooking.
There is an opening for apprenticeship in order to develop young talents and groom coming generations of chefs. Therefore, Russo isn’t just a money-making venture, it also seeks to give back to society by empowering the youths.
- Rio Ferdinand is the Owner of White Chalk Music
White Chalk Music is a music label that was founded in 2005. The former West Ham player started the music label with an old friend. The label has been credited for musical produces such as Melody Johnson and Nia Jai.
The star player was even featured in the 2010 released album by Nia where he also rapped. As of 2012, White Chalk Music was raking in a net worth of 600,000 pounds for Rio and his friend.
- From Music to Magazine
Seemingly, most of the former football player’s businesses were geared toward social life. Titling not so far from music, Rio founded an online magazine sometime in 2009. The magazine was named after the number he played as a footballer ‘#5’.
The first publication by #5 Magazine was in April of 2009 and so far through the magazine, Ferdinand has been able to interview a couple of celebrities. Some of these celebrities include Boris Becker, Snoop Dogg, the Vaccines, Ice Cube, and Riyad Mahrez.
Rio has also interviewed a couple of big names in the soccer world as #5 Magazine has been making waves.
- Of Course, Rio Ferdinand has a Clothing Store
Just like the magazine, the retired defense player named his clothing line his favorite number. #5 Store is a fashion brand that began with the launch of accessories and shoes in 2010.
This business was launched in Selfridges and according to the serial businessman, this clothing line is a family tradition. He stated that his dad was a tailor by profession and he only keyed into that.
The store has since grown and has incorporated manbags as well as sports accessories and apparel. In recent times, #5 Store offers a wide range of clothing choices for all kinds of customers.
- Rio Ferdinand net worth increased through Investments in Movies as well
Rio has had his hand on almost all possible business ventures one could imagine. It may be shocking to some to hear that he also had dealings in the movie industry. However, if you’ve judiciously followed this article, you’ll understand that there is nothing impossible for the 46 year-old.
In 2009, Rio Ferdinand made an investment in a movie. The movie is titled Dead Man Running and it was Alex de Rakoff’s production. The movie ended up fetching the former player a lot of extra cash.
- He is still into Sports
We all heard the news of the former football player going into boxing sometime in his life. However, this career dream fell through and he hung up his gloves. The reason he didn’t further the Betfair-sponsored career was that he was denied the British Boxing professional license.
However, the attempted boxer is currently a pundit reporter with the British Telecom. He has been featured a lot of times, especially during the Premier League and Champions League games.
How Does Rio Spend his Money?
The Peckham raised is one who enjoys his wealth well as he has worked well for it. He had a huge mansion located in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Rio Ferdinand sold the house in early 2018.
The house was initially put up for sale at 4.5 million pounds but he subsequently dropped it to 3 million pounds. A while later, it went down to 2 million pounds. The former England player put the house he shared with his first wife up as he moved in with his new fiancé.
In addition to splurging on properties, Ferdinand also loves to drive good cars. To name a few of the cars that he has ridden; a Bentley Continental which cost him about 120,000 pounds. There was also a Bentley Arnage that he bought for 178,665 pounds in 2008. He owned a Mercedes AMG cl 63 as well as a Cadillac Escalade. Julian Ferdinand’s son also had two Aston Martin cars and enjoys luxurious vacations in different countries and locations.
Given that he knows how to enjoy himself, he also knows how to spend on other causes. From Rio Ferdinand net worth, he gives back to the community through his foundation known as Rio Ferdinand Foundation. The aim of the foundation is to provide education and set a pathway for the provision of employment to youths. He, through this cause, aims at helping the youths find their goals and career paths.
Rio utilizes role models in modeling a coming generation of young skillful people. Through the mentorship programs, these people would be able to harness their potential to the fullest. The Rio Ferdinand Foundation was started in 2011 and its works have won Ferdinand at least one honorary award.
Other Quick Facts about Rio Ferdinand
- He was the most expensive British football player in 2002 and also the World’s most expensive defender twice. He also captained his National Team shortly before and after John Terry.
- Rio has been married twice; first in 2009 to Rebecca Ellison. With his first wife, he had three children named Lorenz, Tia, and Tate. Rebecca, unfortunately, passed away in 2015 from breast cancer. 4 years after the death of his first wife, Ferdinand remarried Kate Wright. She is a star of The Only Way is Essex. With Wright, he welcomed another son named Cree, in 2020.
- Rio Ferdinand is placed in the 20th position of the Richest Soccer Players by wealthygorrila.com.
- He has a couple of documentaries about him. First, he launched a documentary after the death of his first wife. The title of the documentary is ‘Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad.’ After that, he went on to have another documentary with his second wife, Kate Wright. The title of this documentary is ‘Kate and Rio: Becoming a Stepfamily.’
- The #5 Store founder once turned down the opportunity to go into business with LeBron James. Although the business seemed lucrative and promising, Rio and his partners did not think they were ready for the partnership and business.
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