What is Boris Becker's Net worth, Salary and Career Earnings?
Boris Becker, a former German professional tennis player and current coach, has a net worth of $200,000. He quickly made a name for himself in tennis, winning Wimbledon at just 17 years old in 1985, making him the youngest winner in the tournament's history. Becker achieved a number one world ranking early in his career, amassing six Grand Slam titles: three Wimbledon wins, one U.S. Open win, and two Australian Open wins. After retiring in 1999, he coached top players, including Novak Djokovic.
During his professional tennis career, Becker reportedly earned around $50 million, equivalent to approximately $120 million after adjusting for inflation. Despite his financial success, Becker faced significant financial and legal challenges later in life. In 2017, Becker began a prolonged bankruptcy battle in a British court, which culminated in a 2.5-year prison sentence in April 2022 for hiding assets during the proceedings.
In December 2022, a German TV production company paid Becker $530,000 for his first post-prison interview.
Early Life
Boris Franz Becker was born on November 22, 1967, in Leimen, West Germany, and was raised as a Catholic. His father founded a tennis center in Leimen, where Becker honed his skills from a young age.
Career
After turning pro in 1984, Becker won his first professional doubles title. In 1985, he became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon singles title, defending it the next year. He established a notable rivalry with Stefan Edberg. By the mid-90s, personal issues affected his career, and he retired in 1995 after narrowly missing a win at the Monte Carlo Open. Becker won 49 singles titles and 15 doubles titles, but never succeeded on clay surfaces.
Career Earnings
Becker earned $50 million in salary and endorsements during his career, with half of that total coming from tournament winnings. Adjusted for inflation, this amount is equivalent to $120 million today.
(Photo by Simon Bruty/Getty Images)
Relationships
In 1993, Becker married model Barbara Feltus, with whom he had two children. They separated in 2000, and Feltus later received a significant settlement. Becker also fathered another child during his marriage. In 2009, he married model Sharlely Kerssenberg, with whom he had another child before separating in 2018. As of 2019, Becker was reported to be dating another model.
Post-Playing Ventures
Becker founded Volkl Inc. in 2000, producing clothing and tennis rackets. He has published an autobiography and served on advisory boards for various sports organizations, including the German Tennis Federation and Bayern Munich football club. Additionally, Becker became a noted poker player, performing well in several tournaments.
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Bankruptcy and Sentencing
In 2017, a British judge initiated bankruptcy proceedings against Becker, with debts speculated to be substantial. Becker had previously faced financial issues, including settlements to his first wife Barbara and model Angela Ermakova, who had his child after a 1999 fling.
In June 2018, Becker controversially claimed diplomatic immunity to avoid bankruptcy-related lawsuits, a claim later debunked as fraudulent. In 2020, Becker faced criminal charges for hiding assets during his bankruptcy, including his Wimbledon trophies. He pleaded not guilty but was later found guilty and sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. His sports memorabilia collection was sold for $860,000 to help pay off his debts, and his bankruptcy restrictions were extended to 2031 due to additional uncovered assets and transactions.
(Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for Laureus)
Real Estate
In the 1990s, Becker purchased a 60-acre estate in Mallorca, once valued at 9.4 million pounds. He listed the 31,000-square-foot home for 13 million pounds in 2007. However, by 2018, the property had fallen into disrepair due to squatters, who extensively damaged the estate and stole valuable items. In 2020, it was reported that the squatters were evicted after being found shooting pornographic films on the premises. Becker handed over the villa to settle debts in November 2020.
