What is Sepp Blatter's Net Worth and Salary?
Joseph "Sepp" Blatter, a retired Swiss football executive, has a net worth of $40 million. Blatter is best known for serving as the President of FIFA from 1998 until 2015, during which time he significantly increased the financial performance of the FIFA World Cup. However, his career ended amidst a major corruption scandal, resulting in a six-year ban from FIFA.
Salary and Compensation
At his peak as FIFA President, Sepp Blatter earned an annual salary of $6 million, with additional bonuses. After the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he reportedly received a $12 million bonus. Furthermore, Blatter lived in a luxurious Zurich apartment at FIFA's expense.
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Early Life
Sepp Blatter was born Josef Blatter on March 10, 1936, in Visp, Valais, Switzerland. He attended the University of Lausanne, where he studied business and economics, earning degrees in both fields before embarking on a business career.
Career
Blatter began his professional journey with various business roles, gaining experience in public relations, tourism, and more. He initially entered the sports industry as the general secretary of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation and as the Director of Sports Timing and Relations for Longines S.A. Blatter also played a role in organizing the Olympic Games in 1972 and 1976.
Blatter joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director, becoming general secretary in 1981 and subsequently FIFA President in 1998. Blatter's presidency faced controversies right from the start, with allegations of bribery and irregularities during his election. Despite being unopposed in several elections, he remained a divisive figure within the organization and faced dwindling support by the end of his tenure.
(Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images)
Controversy
Blatter's tenure was marred by corruption allegations. He faced claims of bribery, money laundering, and transforming the World Cup bidding process into a corrupt practice. Blatter's controversial stance on issues like racism, proposing a limit on foreign players, and opposition to video replay technology further fueled his contentious reputation.
Blatter's approach to instances of racism in football, such as suggesting a simple handshake could resolve such issues, and his criticism of referees during crucial matches added to his controversial image. His reluctance to embrace modern technology in football also led to significant refereeing errors.
Financial Issues
Blatter faced accusations of financial mismanagement, causing losses of over $100 million for FIFA. Although cleared by Swiss authorities, repeated investigations highlighted questionable payments and significant financial allegations linked to his administration.
Relationships
Blatter has been married three times. His first marriage to Liliane Biner resulted in a daughter before ending in divorce. He then married Barbara Kaser, who passed away after a decade. His third marriage to Graziella Bianca lasted from 2002 to 2004.
