What is Max Clifford's Net Worth?
Max Clifford is a renowned English publicist and his net worth stands at $10 million. Known as one of the most prominent publicists in the UK, Clifford's career was marked by both notable successes and significant controversies. Representing a wide array of clients throughout his career, Clifford became infamous for taking on unpopular clients and helping individuals sell their stories to tabloids.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Kingston in 1943, Clifford was the youngest of four children in a financially struggling family. He left school at the age of 15 without any qualifications and began working as an editorial assistant on the Eagle comic. After the publication moved, Clifford used his redundancy pay to purchase his first house and started training as a journalist with the South London Press.
Rise to Prominence
After several years in the newspaper industry, Clifford joined the press office of EMI. By 1970, he had established his own agency, Max Clifford Associates. During this period, Clifford represented a host of big names including Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali, and Marlon Brando, establishing himself as a major figure in the PR world.
Scandals and Controversies
Clifford was often at the center of high-profile scandals. He leaked stories shared by brothel owner Pamella Bordes, stirring up significant controversy involving high-ranking politicians and newspaper editors. He was also known for managing scandals for various political candidates during the 1980s and 1990s. Clifford claimed to have represented several professional football players who wished to keep their sexual orientation private, aiding them in maintaining a 'straight' public image.
Personal Life
In 1967, Clifford married Elizabeth Porter, and the couple had one daughter named Louise. Sadly, Elizabeth passed away from lung cancer in 2003. Clifford later married his former PA, Jo Westwood, in 2010. The couple remained married through several of Clifford's legal troubles.
Legal Issues and Conviction
In 2014, at the age of 71, Clifford was convicted of multiple sex offenses, including eight indecent assaults against four victims aged 15 to 19 between 1978 and 1984. During his trial, it was revealed that Clifford maintained a 'little brown book' filled with damaging allegations against celebrities, which he used as leverage during the 1980s and 1990s. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.
