Rich List 2026: David Beckham becomes UK’s first billionaire sportsman

By Tolulope Oke

Sir David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, with a combined fortune of £1.185 billion alongside wife Lady Victoria Beckham, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2026.

This marks a significant rise from the £500 million estimated in 2025.

The couple’s wealth surge is credited to Beckham’s investments in the US, including his stake in Inter Miami, boosted by Lionel Messi’s contract until 2028, and a major property development adjoining the club. Revenues from Lady Victoria’s fashion label also topped £100 million this year.

The Rich List revealed several new faces in the UK billionaire club. Boxer Tyson Fury, Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher, and tech entrepreneur Nik Storonsky, co-founder of Revolut, have made notable gains. Storonsky’s fortune has grown at an average of £25.8 million per day, reaching £16.4 billion, placing him seventh on the list.

Other newcomers include sports promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn and Labour donor Gary Lubner, while the billionaire Hinduja family retained the top spot with wealth estimated at £38 billion, up from £35.3 billion.

Several established figures experienced declines: Sir James Dyson dropped to £12 billion, down £8.8 billion in 12 months, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO of INEOS and owner of Manchester United, saw his net worth fall to £15.194 billion.

The Rich List also highlights rising fortunes in entertainment and tech. Musicians Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Sir Brian May, pop star Dua Lipa, and actor Daniel Radcliffe made notable entries, alongside theatre impresario Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, makeup entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury, and racing driver Sir Lewis Hamilton.