David Beckham said in Davos that he works hard to set an example for his children. Beckham retired from football in 2013 with a huge fortune, reportedly worth 165 million pounds ($202 million) at the time. He is much richer now, the owner said. A football club that deals with multiple brands.
David Beckham was already richer than most CEOs when he quit professional football in 2013.
Retirement could have been a luxury and an easy one. Instead, he said Tuesday, he persevered into more business ventures for his children.
Speaking during a Q&A at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Beckham said he inspires his children to work hard.
“The reason I continue to work as hard as I do is because of my kids,” Beckham said.
“And I’m not talking about their future, but I want to set the right example. When I retired from active duty 12, 13 years ago now, I just sat there and said, “I’m not talking about their future, but I want to set the right example.” However, as I grew up, I was inspired and taught by one of the biggest and greatest business leaders of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson. Ta.”
Ferguson was the legendary manager of England’s Manchester United, the team where Beckham made his professional debut.
Beckham said the lesson he learned from Ferguson was: “Every time you have success, of course you enjoy it and celebrate it, but the next moment you move on to the next thing.”
When Beckham retired from football at the age of 38, the Sunday Times listed him as Britain’s richest sports star with a net worth of £165 million ($202 million at current exchange rates).
In the years that followed, Beckham expanded his wealth through brand deals. He also co-founded the Inter Miami soccer team, partnered with Netflix to produce a blockbuster exposé documentary, and was instrumental in promoting the World Cup for Qatar.
In 2024, The Sunday Times reported that Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham were worth £455 million.
The Beckhams have four children: Brooklyn Beckham (25), Romeo Beckham (22), Cruise (19), and Harper (13).
Although the two eldest sons have not yet followed traditional career paths, both sought to follow in their father’s footsteps in the soccer world. Romeo made his professional debut in 2021 and played for his father’s team, but retired in 2023 and turned to modeling.
Brooklyn Beckham, who married Nicola Peltz-Beckham in 2022, never went professional, but over the years he switched career paths from modeling to photography and, in 2022, to producing a short-lived cooking web series. In 2024, Brooklyn Beckham releases hot sauce. He founded the brand as his latest business venture.