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      in Motorsport

      Formula One team bosses rich list revealed ahead of Saudi Arabia GP – including Spice Girls hubby’s countryside manors

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      IT’S a nail-biting job, but being a team principal in the world’s most expensive sport certainly comes with some incredible perks. Just ask Formula 1 bosses Toto Wolff and Christian Horner, who have millions in their bank accounts and enjoy the finer things in life. 
      The team principals manage affairs and are responsible for the success of their driversCredit: EPA
      Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff celebrates with driver Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Principals are the face of their teams and the decision makers who come up with strategies to ensure the success of their drivers.
      And ahead of the Saudi Arabia GP, the pressure is on Toto and Mercedes as they look to claw back points, after reigning champ Max Verstappen crossed the line first in Bahrain.
      This season a few new principals joined the familiar faces around the paddock.
      Ahead of Jeddah, we take a look at the richest people at the helm of F1 teams. 
      MORE ON F1
      Toto Wolff – 478m 
      Toto Wolff is by far the wealthiest team principal on the grid todayCredit: Rex
      With a staggering estimated £478million in his coffers, the Mercedes – AMG Petronas boss is currently the richest team principal on the grid.
      He’s also the second-highest paid, taking home £7.6million a year.
      The Austrian, 51, who started off as a racing driver himself, owns a 33 per cent stake in the Mercedes team, as well as being its managing director and executive director. 
      Many critics and fans have attributed much of Mercedes’ success to him – under his watch, the team has notched up 114 wins. 
      Most read in Motorsport
      He’s also been instrumental in the career of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, considered two of the greatest drivers of all time. 
      Off the grid, Toto is married to Susie, a Scottish former racing driver, and they share two kids.
      Christian Horner – £41.4m
      Christian Horner has been the team principal at Red Bull since 2005 and is married to Spice Girl GeriCredit: Getty
      The couple share a stunning country home in OxfordshireCredit: Instagram
      As team principal of Red Bull since 2005, Christian Horner is the highest-paid team boss and has a salary of around £8.2million a year. 
      He’s got the trophies to show for it, as he’s successfully led the team to nine world titles. 
      Like Toto, he started off as a driver and had some success in the late 90s – even founding his own team, but ended his driving career in 1998 at just 25.
      Christian worked in team management before joining Red Bull in 2004 and ascending to the top within a year. He’s now worth an estimated £41.4m.
      Away from the grid, the Englishman is married to Spice Girl Geri and they share two homes, in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. 
      Their Oxfordshire property is breathtaking, boasting an indoor swimming pool, a pond for boating and huge grounds where they go horse riding. 
      Otmar Szafnauer – £4.1m 
      Otmar Szafnauer has been in the sport for decades and is worth £4.1millionCredit: Rex
      Although he’s the most experienced team principal, having been in the sport since 1989, Otmar’s salary is considerably less than Toto and Christian’s. 
      As the boss of Alpine, a position he has held since 2002, he is paid around £822,500, and worth an estimated £4.1m.
      Like many other principals on the grid, he also had a short stint as a driver back in the early 90s. 
      But it was his work away from the driver’s seat that brought him into the limelight.
      After working as Operations Director at British American Racing, he joined Force India in 2009, which later rebranded as Aston Martin. 
      Franz Tost – £4.1m 
      Franz Tost has been overseeing AlphaTauri since 2005 and takes home £822,500 a yearCredit: Rex
      Franz Tost also has a ton of experience under his belt – he’s been the team principal at AlphaTauri since 2005. 
      The 67-year-old was appointed after Red Bull took over Minardi, and is the oldest team principal on the grid today. 
      Before that, he was a driver and even won the Formula Ford 1600 title in 1983. 
      He quit a few years later and worked his way up the ranks of team management.
      Franz was first signed by Williams and remained there for five years before leaving for Red Bull. 
      As one of the longest-tenured team principals on the grid, he is paid £822,500 a year, and worth around £4.1m.

      James Vowles – £4.1m 
      James Vowles has a £4.1million fortune and is the new team principal at WilliamsCredit: Rex
      This is Englishman James’ first season as Williams’ team principal after serving as Mercedes’ motorsport strategy director. 
      He made his Formula 1 debut as an engineer for the Honda racing team before moving on as a strategist for Brawn GP. 
      James joined Williams at the end of 2022 and at the age of 44, is one of the youngest team principals on the grid, with an estimated £4.1million fortune.
      James has a motorsport degree from Cranfield University – a qualification which is uncommon for bosses at F1.
      He also likes to dabble in driving, making an appearance at last year’s Asian Le Mans Series.
      Guenther Steiner – £4.1m
      Guenther built the Haas team from the ground up and has a £4.1million net worthCredit: Rex
      Guenther, 57, is one of the most colourful team principals Formula 1 has ever seen, as evidenced by his appearance in Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
      He has been at the helm of Haas since 2014 after previously serving as managing director of Jaguar and technical operations director at Red Bull.
      The Italian American began his career as a mechanic in Belgium for the Mazda Rally Championships.
      While at Red Bull, he was contacted to build the Haas team from scratch, which has helped him build up an impressive £4.1million fortune, approximately.
      He is paid £822,500 a year for his work as the team’s leader.
      Alessandro Alunni Bravi – £4.1m
      Italian Alessandro is also a lawyer and has been serving as the Team Representative of Alfa Romeo since last yearCredit: Getty
      Last year Alfa Romeo decided to move away from the team principal formula and introduced a management structure to oversee the team.
      One of the members of the management team includes Alessandro Alunni Bravi, who is worth an estimated £4.1million.
      The 49-year-old Italian, who is also a qualified lawyer, has the new position of Team Representative and will perform most of the roles of a principal when dealing with F1 bosses and sponsors.
      He was previously the team principal of the trident GP2 team and has served as a board member of Sauber since 2017.
      Frederic Vasseur – £2.5m
      Frederic Vasseur took over from Mattia Binotto this seasonCredit: Rex
      The new Ferrari boss has built up a wealth of experience as the principal of teams like Renault, Alfa Romeo and Sauber.
      The 54-year-old Frenchman studied aeronautics and founded his own team in 1996 which went on to win several trophies in the junior formulae.
      Frederic is credited for overseeing Lewis Hamilton’s success in the Formula 3 Euroseries and helping him to win GP2 titles in the mid-2000s.
      Last year it was announced he would be replacing Mattia Binotto as the boss of Ferrari.
      Although he’s now worth an estimated £2.5million, it’s probably only a matter of time before this figure shoots up as he will be paid £5.2million in his new role.
      Andrea Stella – £1.2m
      Andrea Stella replaced Andreas Seidl as the team principal of McLaren last yearCredit: Rex
      Andrea Stella will most likely see a boost to his estimated £1.2million net worth thanks to his lucrative £5.2million-a-year role at McLaren.
      The 52-year-old Italian was announced as Andreas Seidl’s replacement following his decision to leave the team after a four-season run.
      Andrea’s appointment is an internal promotion as he previously served as the team’s executive director.
      He’s got an impressive history to back up his eye-watering salary – he has worked with some of the greatest drivers including Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.
      Mike Krack – £800k
      Mike Krack’s net worth is likely to shoot up with a reported salary of £822,500Credit: Getty
      Mike Krack has overseen the Aston Martin team since 2002 and is reportedly worth over £800,000.
      He replaced Otmar Szafnauer in the team and is set to take home around £822,500 a year, which will surely boost his bank balance.
      The 50-year-old engineer from Luxembourg previously worked with Sebastian Vettel for a year from 2006, when the racer began his career.
      Read More on The Sun
      He’s also worked in Formula 3 and has moved between teams like BMW and Porsche.
      Mike recently defended driver Lance Stroll – son of the Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll – claiming he is “strongly undervalued”. More

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      in Soccer

      We live near Premier League ground & it’s awful… rowdy fans use our gardens as toilets but it’s not the biggest problem

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      IT’S been a fixture in Chelsea for almost 200 years, but the future of Stamford Bridge has been thrown into doubt. Club co-owner Todd Boehly wants to ditch the old arena and move the team to a new state-of-the-art ground – possibly in a different location.
      Stamford Bridge is slap-bang in the middle of a residential areaCredit: Getty
      Stamford Bridge can hold around 40,000 fansCredit: Olivia West
      The current venue can hold around 40,000 fans – far less capacity than other top Premier League clubs, but still enough to cause chaos on game days in the affluent south west London neighbourhood.
      And the thought of double the amount of supporters traipsing along the streets of Fulham fills residents with dread.
      Following the Blues’ Tuesday night victory against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, The Sun headed down the next morning to chat to locals about the realities of living next to the famous ground.
      Liz Miller, 66, has been a resident there for decades and revealed her surprising bugbear on match days.
      UK FEATURES
      “When Chelsea are playing at home you can’t buy a bottle of wine in any of the shops around here,” she tells us.
      “It’s really irritating, especially if you don’t follow football.”
      She adds: “The fans are a lot better behaved than they used to be.”
      Liz, who walks her dog Sherlock every day near the ground, says she loves the crowds the stadium draws – but isn’t thrilled when the roads end up gridlocked.
      Most read in Football
      Resident Liz Miller says it drives her nuts on match days because she can’t buy a bottle of wine anywhereCredit: Olivia West
      A large canister of hippy crack had been dumped on a wall near the stadiumCredit: Olivia West
      “They’re hot on clearing the rubbish from fans, but it’s not the same when it comes to the poo from police horses,” she adds.
      “That’s always left all over the place. It’s a bit grim.”

      Pee patrol
      By 7am the majority of the rubbish dropped on the route to the London Underground station by drunken fans had been cleared up – but some remained scattered down side roads.
      We saw half-empty beer cans, bottles and food wrappers, and even a large canister of laughing gas, dubbed Hippy Crack, dumped on a resident’s garden wall.
      While residents we spoke to praised the authorities for keeping litter dumped by fans to a minimum, some highlighted other problems that need attention.
      Council worker Tajudeen Afolabi says many residents are upset by the behaviour of football hooligans.
      While most rubbish had been cleared away, some lingered on the streetCredit: Olivia West
      We saw half-empty beer cans, bottles and food wrappersCredit: Olivia West
      “Residents often get in touch with us to report bad behaviour after a match has been played at the stadium,” he says.
      “After the latest one, one resident got in touch to say someone had defecated in their garden.
      “Almost all want solutions to public urination as it is really dirty and gets on people’s nerves.”
      One man, who asked not to be named, tells us: “It’s great that they clear up the rubbish, but the more important thing to deal with is people weeing all over the place.
      “Sometimes if you’ve got to go, you just have to go, but why aren’t there more toilets for fans to use outside the stadium?”
      Sometimes if you’ve got to go, you just have to go, but why aren’t there more toilets for fans to use outside the stadium?Chelsea resident
      Another points out: “I don’t see why we can’t have those standing urinals put in. That would solve a big part of the problem with people weeing anywhere they can find.”
      Residents showed us a popular corner next to Waterford Road, near Fulham Broadway station, where fans regularly stop to urinate before the long journey home.
      Chelsea fan Wayne says: “They used to go there all the time but I think residents complained.
      “Now they have a police officer there on match days to stop it from happening.
      “It’s just one of those things. If there were proper places to go, people would use them.
      “Other than that, I love living here and hearing the crowd go wild at matches. It’s a big part of the atmosphere of the area.”
      Gridlocked traffic
      Taxi driver Tesfayi says he often gets stuck in long queues of traffic on match daysCredit: Olivia West
      The future of Chelsea’s stadium has been thrown into doubtCredit: Getty
      Almost all the residents we spoke to highlighted the impact match days have on traffic in the area, with which often bring roads to a standstill.
      Someone who knows only too well how bad it can get is taxi driver Tesfayi, 51.
      “I love the club, but on match days it is hard to get back home after my shift,” he says.
      “The traffic around the stadium is problematic… but it’s only ever on match days so I don’t mind it too much.
      “I’m a big Chelsea fan so I like living near the stadium. It’s worth it.”
      Mining engineer Alex says his only frustration with the stadium is the bad trafficCredit: Olivia West
      This was highlighted as a residential area where fans have defecated after a gameCredit: Olivia West
      Alex, a mining engineer, admits the traffic is “annoying”, but he likes the “buzz” the stadium brings to the area.
      He adds: “It’s only for one evening so I don’t mind it really. Plus we get more regular Tubes which is great.”
      In an attempt to make things easier for fans travelling to and from Stamford Bridge, TFL put on extra services.
      Read More on The Sun
      But one dad we spoke to says he avoids the packed Tubes like the plague.
      The parent, who asked not to be named, tells us: “Extra Tubes are great, but when I have to take my 12-year-old on the Underground she often ends up in tears thanks to rowdy football fans hitting everything. It’s not great.”
      Discarded packaging from a Chelsea supporters’ scarfCredit: Olivia West
      An old pizza box is found strewn on someone’s doorstepCredit: Olivia West More

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      in Soccer

      Inside married sports stars’ biggest scandals as Kyle Walker’s caught out again … from wife swap to houseboat sex party

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      THEY’RE at the top of their game with glamorous wives and bulging bank balances – but some sportsmen can’t resist playing away from home.This week England ace Kyle Walker was caught exposing himself and pawing and snogging a woman in a bar in Manchester.
      Walker was filmed on a drunken night out exposing himself and kissing a womanCredit: The Sun
      The woman in the video was not his wife, Annie KilnerCredit: BackGrid
      The Man City ace, 32, was seen grinding against a female pal while boozing with male pals on Sunday evening – with wife Annie Kilner nowhere to be seen.
      It’s not the first time he’s been caught out – and he’s not the only footballer to score an own goal. Here we reveal the sportsmens’ league of shame…
      Joe Westerman
      In February, Super League rugby rat Joe Westerman, 33, was filmed romping in an alley behind Greggs with a pal’s missus.
      The Castleford Tigers loose forward was caught performing a sex act on the woman – and his horrified wife Lauren, 33, swiftly booted him out of the family home.
      READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
      Cheating rugby league ace Joe Westerman was caught performing a sex act in footage which went viral
      His wife Lauren called time on their marriage after the incidentCredit: Twitter
      The mum-of-three told The Sun: “I’ve relived that footage over and over again.
      “It’s something I’ll never be able to get out of my mind, no matter how hard I try.”
      Westerman has apologised and vowed to work on his “decision-making around alcohol”.
      John Terry
      Former Chelsea and England team-mates John Terry and Wayne Bridge had an epic falling out over allegations married Terry had an affair with Bridge’s then-partner Vanessa Perroncel back in 2009.
      Most read in Football
      Wayne Bridge refused to shake former team mate John Terry’s hand before a match after it was rumoured he’d had an affair with his now ex VanessaCredit: AFP
      Wayne Bridge and Vanessa Perroncel split in 2009 and share one sonCredit: Rex
      Bridge infamously refused to shake Terry’s hand prior to a clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, despite lingerie model Vanessa always denying the allegations.
      Bridge and Vanessa dated for four years after first meeting in 2005, and share a son.
      The Terry rumours surfaced soon after they split in 2009; friends claimed he had seduced Vanessa as he comforted her over the break-up.
      In January 2010 she became the subject of a super-injunction imposed by a High Court judge which prevented the press reporting the allegations – but it was lifted a week later.
      Tiger Woods
      Dozens of women claimed they’d had sexual relationships with Tiger Woods, which ended his marriage to Elin NordegrenCredit: Getty
      Jamie Jungers claimed she was Woods’ mistressCredit: Rex Features
      Pro-golfer Tiger Woods’ reputation took a battering in 2009 when one of the biggest scandals in golfing history emerged.
      Ranked World Number One at the time, dozens of women came forward alleging they had sexual relationships with the-then married golfer.
      Former madam Michelle Braun alleged that “every couple of months he requested to have multiple girls”.
      “It could be up to 10 girls at a time,” she claimed. “He had a particular type, he liked young college cutie, girl next door types, preferably blonde.”
      Former stripper Jamie Jungers claimed she had an 18-month affair with the golfer – rumoured to have slept with more than 120 women.
      Woods’ wife and mother of his two kids, Elin Nordegren, divorced him for a whopping $100million, according to reports.
      Ryan Giggs
      Ryan Giggs, pictured here with ex-wife Stacey, had an affair with his brother’s wife, and Big Brother star Imogen ThomasCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Natasha Giggs was married to Rhodri Giggs and had an eight-year affair with her brother-in-lawCredit: Collect
      Ryan Giggs landed himself in hot water in 2011 when it emerged he’d been having an eight-year affair with his brother Rhodri’s wife Natasha.
      At the same time it emerged he was also having a fling with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas.
      Giggs took out a gagging order but was named as the footballer in question in May 2011 by a Scottish newspaper.
      After he was named, Imogen said: “I called it off a million times but he kept coming back. He knew it was wrong as well, he said as much, but he was pursuing me.”
      Ryan settled his £40million divorce from wife Stacey in 2017.
      Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson
      New York Yankee pitchers Fritz Peterson, front, and Mike Kekich with their wives, Marilyn Peterson and Susanne KekichCredit: AP
      Yankees players Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich famously traded partners in 1972 – and caused one of baseball’s biggest romance scandals in the process.
      It’s said Peterson became drawn to former cheerleader Susanne Kekich, while quieter Kekich became close to Marilyn Peterson.
      Kekich, then 27, said at the time: “Don’t say this was wife-swapping, because it wasn’t. We didn’t swap wives, we swapped lives.”
      Andy Carroll
      Andy Carroll was in the dog house when a picture of him passed out in bed with a blonde woman went viral
      Luckily the couple’s wedding still went ahead and they are still happily married todayCredit: INSTAGRAM
      It was especially bad timing for footie star Andy Carroll when photos emerged of him passed out in bed with a blonde after a day of partying — just two weeks before his wedding to reality TV’s Billi Mucklow.
      The ex-England striker, 33, partied with Taylor Jane Wilkey after flying to Dubai to gatecrash his fiancée’s hen party and had gone on a 17-hour drinking session.
      But both parties denied anything untoward had taken place, with Taylor, 27, telling The Sun: “It was all just a bit of entirely innocent fun.”
      Thankfully Andy and Billi’s wedding still went ahead, and the pair are still happily married today.
      Oliver Giroud
      Olivier Giroud later issued a grovelling apology to his wife JenniferCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Celia Kay was the model who allegedly had a fling with footballer Olivier GiroudCredit: Twitter
      In 2014 French striker Olivier Giroud, who was playing for Arsenal at the time, was caught quite literally with his pants down.
      A photo emerged of Giroud in nothing but boxers in a Four Seasons hotel room with model, Celia Kay.
      The striker later issued a grovelling apology on social media, apologising to his wife Jennifer – the mother of his four children – and his club.
      She forgave his indiscretions however, and they are still together today, having now been together over 11 years.
      Wayne Rooney
      Coleen and Wayne have been together since teenagers, but the football star has been involved in a few scandals along the wayCredit: Getty
      Helen Wood had a threesome with RooneyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He’s been with childhood sweetheat Coleen since they were 16, but there have been many reports surrounding Wayne Rooney over the years.
      In 2004 the Sunday Mirror reported that teenage Rooney had paid £140 for sex with prostitute Charlotte Glover, then 21.
      Around the same time he was said to have slept with Gina McCarrick, then 37, at a £45 brothel in Liverpool.
      It was at this same brothel that he was said to have slept with grandmother Patricia Tierney, then 48, known as the ‘Auld Slapper’.
      Rooney went on to cheat again, sleeping with £1,000-a-night prostitute Jenny Thompson, then 21, in July 2009 along with Helen Wood – while Coleen was pregnant with his son Kai.
      But Coleen has forgiven him and the couple are still going strong.
      Hulk Hogan
      Hulk Hogan filed a lawsuit against Bubba the Love Sponge and his former wife, Heather ClemCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, pictured in court during his trial against Gawker MediaCredit: Reuters
      In 2012, a sex tape featuring Hogan and Heather Clem, the estranged wife of his best friend Bubba the Love Sponge, emerged online.
      A few months later American site Gawker, which has since folded, published a small snippet of the tape online.
      Hogan filed a lawsuit against Heather and Bubba for invasion of privacy, winning a settlement.
      Linda Hogan, who split from her husband in 2007 – the same year the sex tape filmed – later slammed the film as “sickening”.
      “I knew something was going on behind my back, I just didn’t know it was so close to home,” she told Radar.
      Minnesota Vikings
      Players from NFL team the Minnesota Vikings landed themselves in hot water in 2005.
      They allegedly threw a massive sex boat party with around 100 prostitutes rumoured to have been in attendance.
      Read More on The Sun
      17 members of the team were allegedly involved in the sex party, which was said to have been held on board a pair of houseboats.
      Women reportedly flew in from the surrounding areas for the soiree, with some of the players allegedly involved in sex acts in front of the crew. More

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      in Motorsport

      Formula One drivers rich list revealed ahead of Bahrain GP – including racer linked to eye-watering £2.4billion fortune

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      IT’S the most expensive sport in the world – so it’s no surprise top Formula 1 drivers boast an eye-watering bank balance.The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez certainly enjoy life in the fast lane – with supercar collections, huge mansions and luxury holidays.
      Forumula 1 returns this weekend with 20 drivers vying for supremacy on the gridCredit: Getty
      This weekend sees the 2023 Formula 1 rev into gear, with 20 drivers set to battle it out for supremacy on the grid.
      Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, we reveal the 10 drivers at the top of the rich list.
      Lewis Hamilton – £270.9m
      Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lewis is currently F1’s highest-paid driver – his contract with Mercedes nets him £41.6million each year, and he’s estimated to be worth £270.9m.
      Lewis Hamilton is the richest F1 racer on the grid right nowCredit: PA
      The seven-time champion is worth £270.9m and owns several propertiesCredit: Instagram
      The seven-time world champion has numerous endorsement deals with the likes of Puma, Sony, Police, and Tommy Hilfiger.
      SPORT FEATURES
      Hertfordshire-born Lewis is said to be raking in an additional £16.6million from these sponsorship deals.
      Planet F1 reports he has an impressive private collection of supercars worth over £13million, including a Pagani Zonda, a Mercedes-AMG Project One, and a Ferrari LaFerrari, among others.
      Lewis also owns a £49.1million penthouse in New York, according to GQ, and a £19.1million six-bedroom home in London.
      Fernando Alonso – £216m
      Fernando Alonso has competing since 2001 and shows no signs of slowing downCredit: EPA
      The 41-year-old owns homes in Oxford and SwitzerlandCredit: Instagram
      Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, 41, has shown no signs of slowing down since his debut back in 2001.
      Most read in Motorsport
      This season the Spanish star has signed a new deal with Aston Martin believed to be worth around £17.8million.
      He also has several sponsorship deals and owns the clothing brand Kimoa.
      Savvy Alonso has also invested in private companies, said to reap him incredible rewards.
      Unsurprisingly, Alonso likes his cars – he owns over 300 that have been put on display in the Fernando Alonso Sports Complex in Spain, reports the Express.
      The racer owns homes in Oxford and Switzerland, as well as an apartment in a 52-storey building in Dubai.
      Max Verstappen – £75m
      Max signed a new deal with Red Bull last year, bringing his salary up to $50m a yearCredit: Reuters
      He is said to have bought a private jet from Sir Richard BransonCredit: Instagram
      Reigning champion Max Verstappen has been competing in Formula 1 since 2015 and signed a new five-year contract with Red Bull last year, reportedly worth £41.6million.
      This makes him the joint-highest paid racer on the grid alongside Hamilton.
      Max also benefits from lucrative deals from the likes of G-Star RAW, Red Bull, and EA Sports.
      As he’s only 25, industry experts predict his estimated £75m fortune will soar in the coming years.
      Max is said to have bought a private jet from Sir Richard Branson worth £11million, which costs over £830,000 to maintain.
      Sergio Perez – £62.4m
      Sergio is worth over £62.4 and owns a huge property in MexicoCredit: Getty
      He lives a luxurious lifestyle of private jets and lavish holidaysCredit: Instagram
      Sergio, 33, may not be the highest-paid driver on the grid, but he’s been amassing an impressive fortune since his debut in 2011.
      His estimated £62.4million net worth, which includes an £8.3million salary from Red Bull, makes him one of the richest athletes in the world.
      The Mexican also has investments and an incredible list of endorsement deals, including Ticel, Telmox, and Claro.
      Checo reportedly owns a multi-million dollar 15,000-square-foot mansion in Mexico and supercars including a Bugatti Chiron, which cost around £2million.
      Daniel Ricciardo – £41.6m
      In 2020, Daniel was among the world’s highest-paid athletes, according to ForbesCredit: REUTERS
      He has no problem showing off his impressive wealth on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      He may only be a reserve driver for Red Bull this year, but Australian Daniel has eight Grand Prix wins and 32 podiums under his belt, and an estimated £41.6m fortune.
      After being tied to Red Bull for five years, he signed a lucrative deal with Renault in 2020, which bagged him a mention on Forbes’ top 50 highest sports people that year.
      This season he’s been replaced at McLaren by Oscar Piastri.
      The 33-year-old doesn’t shy away from showing off his incredible wealth – he reportedly owns three properties across three continents.
      Daniel also owns supercars including a Porsche 918 Spyder and an Aston Martin Valkyrie, said to have cost a staggering £3million.
      Lance Stroll – £41.6m
      Lance’s career in F1 has netted him a fortune of £41.6mCredit: PA:Press Association
      The Canadian’s father is worth a whopping £2.4billionCredit: Instagram
      Lance, 24 would sit at the top of the list if his family’s wealth was taken into consideration – his dad Lawrence, who owns Aston Martin, has an estimated net worth of over £2.4billion.
      The driver isn’t doing too badly for himself either, as he takes home a whopping £8.3million each year from the team.
      When he’s not busy racing, Lance enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and surfing. He is dating Italian model Sara Pagliaroli.
      Pierre Gasly – £27.4m
      Pierre Gasly races for AlpineCredit: Getty
      Pierre, 27, who made his debut in 2017, drives for Alpine and comes from a family heavily involved in motorsports.
      His salary is reported to be £1.6million, which excludes performance bonuses and sponsorship deals that bring his estimated net worth up to £27.4m.
      Pierre’s brand partnerships include headphone brand Blomm and Berger, The Grid, Destination Grand Prix, and Crypto Gaming. He also features on the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive.
      He is said to be dating Italian Caterina Masetti Zannini, who shares many of her lavish trips with Pierre on Instagram.
      Valtteri Bottas – £25m
      Valtteri takes home £8.6m a year from his deal with Alfa RomeoCredit: Getty
      He was previously Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes and took home a quarter of his salaryCredit: Instagram
      Although he spent much of his career as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas, 33, was only making a quarter of the English driver’s salary.
      He now races for Alfa Romeo, making up to £8.6million a year, and is one of the competition’s most popular stars.
      He recently announced his partnership with Finnish sporting company Polar, and is sponsored by locking solutions company Abloy and a private jet company called Insijets.
      Valtteri is currently dating Australian road cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, and has an estimated net worth of £25m.
      Kevin Magnussen – £20.8m
      Kevin returned to Haas last season when Russian driver Nikita Mazepin was dropped
      K-Mag made his return to Formula 1 last year after Russian driver Nikita Mazepin’s contract was terminated by Haas just a few days before the 2022 season.
      Although he impressed with his debut in 2014, his form dipped in subsequent years – though he put in a solid performance for Haas last season.
      The 30-year-old will be keen to prove why he’s been able to amass a reported net worth of £20.8million.
      His £5million salary at Haas is topped up by endorsement deals believed to be worth over £800,000.
      Esteban Ocon – £14.9m
      Ocon has been racing at F1 since 2016 and takes home £4.1m from Alpine
      Despite being only 26, Esteban Ocon has impressed fans since his debut in 2016.
      He has raced for Force India, Racing Point, Alpine, and was a test driver for Mercedes back in 2019.
      Read More on The Sun
      Although he earns a £4.1million salary at Alpine, his long tenure in Formula One and endorsement deals with the likes of Microsoft, Bell and Castrol have given him a hefty estimated net worth of £14.9millon.
      The Frenchman reportedly owns a Mercedes AMG GTR, a Mercedes AMG C63 Edition 1, and an Alpine A110S. More

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      Inside gilded life of Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim ahead of ‘£4bn Man United bid’ – £276bn fortune to THREE wives and supercars

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      WHEN it comes to the world’s richest dynasties, few can compare to the wealth of the Qatar royal family. Thanks to their staggering £276billion net worth they live a life of luxury filled with yachts, supercars… and football.
      The Emir, who masterminded last year’s World Cup, is the head of the Qatari royal familyCredit: Getty
      The ruler hopes to purchase Manchester United, according to reportsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      This week it was reported the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is set to put in a £4billion bid for Manchester United.
      According to reports, the 42-year-old ruler believes the English Premier League club is not worth more than £4.5billion, and is expected to submit his bid before Friday’s deadline.
      Sheikh Tamin, who masterminded Qatar’s World Cup bid and famously draped a traditional Arab men’s cloak around Argentine winner Lionel Messi’s shoulders during the trophy presentation, has been head of state since 2013.
      He has established himself as a shrewd businessman – and already owns French side Paris Saint-Germain.
      MORE ON ROYAL FAMILIES
      Worth a whopping £1.4billion individually, Sheikh Tamin – who has three wives – and his family are known to enjoy a taste of the finer things in life. Here we delve into his opulent lifestyle.
      Vast wealth
      Named the most influential Muslim in the world last year by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Sheikh Tamim came into power when his father abdicated and his older brother renounced his rights to the throne.
      He owns a string of properties – including Dudley House, once one of Britain’s most expensive mansions.
      Sheikh Tamin met the Queen at Windsor CastleCredit: Getty
      He owns Dudley House, once one of Britain’s most expensive homes
      The sheikh owns two homes on the exclusive Cornwall TerraceCredit: SWNS.com
      The home, now nicknamed Sheikh Shack, is on London’s Park Lane and is said to be worth a mind-blowing £200million.
      Most read in Football
      It took him six years to refurbish the 44,000-square-foot, 17-bedroom home, which boasts a 50ft ballroom, an 81ft long picture gallery, £100million worth of furniture and breathtaking views of Hyde Park.
      When he hosted Queen Elizabeth II there, she was so impressed she reportedly told Sheikh Tamim: “This place makes Buckingham Palace look rather dull.”
      The Emir also owns two homes on London’s Cornwall Terrace – the most expensive row of houses in the world.
      His main residence is the Emiri Diwan Palace, a sprawling complex located in the country’s capital city, Doha, built to reflect the state’s power and wealth.
      The Qatari royals travel in style and have owned multiple private jets – including a £165,000 aircraft dubbed a “flying palace”.
      The royal family has owned a number of private jetsCredit: controller
      The ruler owns a limited edition LaFerrari which cost £888,000Credit: Getty
      He also has an extravagant superyacht which comes with a guest elevator and private cinemaCredit: Getty
      The ruler’s official residence in Doha, Qatar’s capitalCredit: Alamy
      It came equipped with a huge dining table, luxurious remote-controlled beds and gold fittings and fixtures.
      Sheikh Tamim is also renowned for his fleet of luxury cars, and is proud owner of a limited edition red LaFerrari.
      Italian luxury car makers Ferrari only produced 499 and slapped an eye-watering £888,000 price tag on it.
      Sheikh Tamim also owns the luxurious Al Lusail superyacht, said to be worth £400million. It boasts an onboard beauty salon, guest elevator and private cinema.
      He instructed designers to build it a foot shorter than his father’s own superyacht, The Katara, as a mark of respect.
      Three wives
      Sheikh Tamim’s first wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, seen with him at Buckingham PalaceCredit: Alamy
      Sheikh Tamim’s first wife is also his second cousin. She accompanies him on key international visits (pictured with the King and Queen of Spain)Credit: Getty
      The ruler and his son Hamad with French President Emmanuel Macron in ParisCredit: Getty
      In accordance with traditional Sunni and Shia Islamic laws, Muslim men are permitted to marry multiple women.
      Dad-of-13 Sheikh Tamim has three wives – his first, Sheikha Jawaher, who he married in 2005, serves as his First Lady and accompanies him on official trips including to the Queen’s funeral last year.
      The couple are second cousins and share four children – two daughters and two sons.
      Sheikha Jawaher’s father was once a powerful government official and has served as a deputy foreign minister and minister of Public Health.
      Sheikh Tamim married his second wife, Sheikha Al-Anoud bint Mana Al Hajri, with whom he shares five kids, in 2009 – she was the daughter of Qatar’s ambassador to Jordan.
      A year after he took over as ruler in 2013, it was announced that he had married his third wife, Sheikha Noora bint Hathal Al Dosari, who he shares four children with.
      Investments
      The sheik has investments in some of the most iconic properties including New York’s Empire State BuildingCredit: Getty
      The Qatari royal family hold investments in some of the world’s most iconic properties including London’s The Shard, Harrods department store, Canary Wharf and New York’s Empire State Building.
      They also own shares in Barclays Bank, British Airways, Volkswagen, Porsche and Louis Vuitton.
      Their investments in the UK alone come to a whopping £40billion.
      Read More on The Sun
      Among his lucrative ventures, Sheikh Tamim is the current owner of Paris Saint Germain, having ploughed £1.5billion into the club.
      If his deal with Manchester United is confirmed, he will own two of the biggest clubs in football.
      The ruler is a keen football fan and plans to own both Paris Saint Germain and Manchester UnitedCredit: instagram More

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      How Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds spends his $150m fortune – from fleet of supercars to wife’s $2m engagement ring

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      IN his 32-year career as one of Hollywood’s best-loved heartthrobs, Ryan Reynolds has made an enviable fortune for himself. The Deadpool star, 46, is now worth an estimated $150million and although he lives a relatively low-key lifestyle, he has no problem splashing the cash.
      Ryan Reynolds and Blake lively are one of the most glamorous couples in showbizCredit: Getty
      Ryan’s most famous purchase came in 2021 when – alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney – he bought non-league football club Wrexham for $2.5million.
      And the actor delighted fans as he appeared on TV to hand Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Mark Hughes a shirt as his side drew 3-3 in the FA Cup over the weekend.
      From luxury cars to expensive jewellery and private jets to business ventures, Ryan lives the life of a true Hollywood A-Lister alongside his wife Blake Lively, 35.
      Here, we look at the incredible life of one of the most influential power couples in the entertainment industry.
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      Luxury cars
      The couple in their LamborghiniCredit: PacificCoastNews
      Ryan is known for his love of superbikesCredit: Bruja/Jeff Steinberg, PacificCoastNews.com
      Ryan is known for his love of supercars and has an impressive collection.
      It’s been reported that he and Blake own over 20 vehicles including a Lamborghini Aventador – the 2022 edition of the car has a starting price of $507,353.
      Among his other luxury rides are a Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, and an Audi R8.
      Ryan has been described as an adrenaline junkie and is an avid fan of motorbikes.
      Most read in Football
      He is said to be the proud owner of a Ducati SC1000, which he’s customised with a leather seat and a heat wrap, and a Triumph Bonneville.
      The star is also fond of cheaper cars such as the Toyota Prius and BMW 7 Series.
      Designer life
      They are known for their impeccable style and love for designer brandsCredit: Getty
      Ryan and Blake are red carpet darlings and are often seen showing off their incredible style.
      It’s been reported that she doesn’t even need a stylist and often picks out and coordinates her outfits herself, unlike many of her peers.
      She once explained this in an interview: “Probably because I have control issues and a big ego – that’s probably the honest answer.”
      Blake’s closet consists of clothes from expensive designers such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana.
      In 2021, fans were able to get a rare glimpse of her wardrobe, which included bags gifted to her by designers and a mind-blowing collection of shoes.
      This includes 21 pairs of Louboutin heels – which can cost up to $3,462 for a single pair.
      According to reports, Blake once brought 40 pairs of the red-bottomed shoes to the set of one of her movies.
      Bling couple
      Blake’s ring cost nearly £1.7millionCredit: Getty
      Ryan is said to have asked Blake to marry him with a bespoke 12 carat rose gold ring that cost nearly $2million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings.
      Ryan worked on the ring with iconic jeweller and Blake’s friend Lorraine Schwartz.
      But that’s not all – Blake is known for her love of all things that sparkle and reportedly showed off a whopping $10million worth of jewellery in one week.
      For her look on the 2018 Met Gala red carpet, she adorned herself with jewellery that cost $2million.
      She’s not the only one in the family who’s fond of the flashier things in life, however.
      Ryan, who was once an ambassador for the Swiss luxury watch brand Piaget, has been seen rocking some expensive timepieces.
      His remarkable collection is said to include classics by Cartier, Panerai, Chopard, and Omega.
      Sprawling property
      The couple tied the knot at Boone Hall PlantationCredit: Boone Hall Plantation
      Ryan has an enviable property portfolio, thanks to his illustrious career, where he’s once said to have charged over $20million for a movie.
      The couple’s breathtaking farmhouse on the outskirts of New York, which sits on 500,000 square foot of land, is said to have set them back over nearly $5.7million.
      They secretly bought the house in 2012 before the birth of their first child.
      Fans have only managed to get glimpses of the interior of the property they share with kids Inez, Betty, and Jame through Instagram posts and interviews granted by Ryan during the Covid outbreak.
      The interior has a rustic vibe with a wooden dining table, beige leather sofas, and a washed wood beam.
      Although the home is magnificent, it is also discreet with neighbours including businesswoman Martha Stewart and designer Ralph Lauren.
      The couple secretly tied the knot in September 2012 at the lavish Boone Hall Plantation, which has been featured in movies such as The Notebook.
      Business ventures and jet setting
      Ryan is the co-owner of Wrexham A.F.C.Credit: instagram/vancityreynolds
      Over the years, Ryan has invested in a number of businesses – some of those took fans and even his wife by surprise.
      He is a co-owner of Welsh football club Wrexham A.FC., the third oldest professional football team in the world, which he bought at $2.5million.
      Blake had no idea that her husband was planning a takeover of the club and was initially not impressed with the purchase.
      When asked in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel about her reaction, Ryan said: “Not good. Not great. We’re still working through that one.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Ryan has also taken on business ventures such as Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile.
      The pair are also known for their extensive work with charities – they donated over $500,000 to a Canadian water charity and matched donations of up to $1million for families displayed by Putin’s war in Ukraine. More

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      Inside Shakira’s mad war with Pique’s parents – ‘building wall’ to keep out mother-in-law to dig over ‘terrible’ hairdo

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      THEY once heaped praise on each other with Shakira affectionately referring to Montserrat Bernabéu as “my little mother-in-law.”But now the fur is flying, following the She-Wolf singer’s split from Gerard Pique, after 12 years together.
      Shakira with Gerard, his brother Marc (left) and parents Joan Pique and Montserrat Bernabeu, in 2013Credit: Alamy
      The witch doll appeared on the singer’s balcony, overlooking her in-laws homeCredit: Splash
      Shakira, who lives next door to her ex’s parents in a gated community in Barcelona, took a swipe at Montserrat, 60, in the diss track she released last week – then played the song at full volume so her in-laws could hear.
      She added insult to injury by placing a mannequin of a witch on a balcony overlooking their house.
      Now it’s reported the Hips Don’t Lie star is building a wall between the two properties, which are joined in some areas, after a cement mixer was seen in the grounds.    
      The 45-year-old Colombian is said to be furious with Gerard’s parents after they welcomed his new lover, 23-year-old Clara Chia Marti, with open arms.
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      The split last summer has led to a bitter war of words between Shakira and Gerard – who share sons Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven. 
      Now the brutal tit for tat has spilled over to the rest of the family, with dad Joan Pique also getting involved.
      Gerard Pique and Shakira were a couple for 12 yearsCredit: Getty
      The split happened after Gerard met Clara Chia Marti, then 22Credit: BackGrid
      Mansions with connecting grounds
      It’s a toxic turn of events for the family, who claimed to be close during the couple’s 12-year-romance – which began on the set of the video for Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”  
      In 2015, after the birth of second son Sasha, the couple splashed out £4.9million on a mansion in Ciutat Diagonal, one of the most exclusive gated communities in Spain, just half an hour from the centre of Barcelona. 
      Most read in Football
      The stunning mansion, with sea views, is spread over 1,500 square feet, and boasts seven bedrooms, two kitchens, a swimming pool with a waterfall, a gym, games room and private cinema.
      Wanting to be close to their grandchildren, Montserrat, an eminent neurologist, and her lawyer husband moved into the property next door.
      At the time, relations were good and Shakira spent a lot of time with Montserrat, attending various events together and posting family snaps on social media.
      The £4.9m house is next door to Pique’s parentsCredit: Solarpix
      The palatial mansion boasts a gym, cinema room and games roomCredit: Instagram/shakira
      Close relationship
      As well as helping care for the two boys, Pique’s parents looked after the house when they were away, and were sleeping upstairs in 2018 when it was burgled, with raiders stealing expensive watches and jewellery worth thousands of pounds.
      In an interview with Vogue, Montserrat described Shakira as “a spectacular person, a simple woman with great values who also happens to be the second most important woman in showbusiness. I find her a fascinating person.”
      The pair still seemed to be close shortly before the shock split, in June 2021, when the singer gently mocked her partner’s mum for advising her to get her famous locks cut into a sleek bob, debuted at a ceremony in her honour thrown by the  French Ministry of Culture in 2012. 
      In a Vogue video, which has gone viral since the row flared up, she says: “Oh wow, how terrible, that’s a really bad haircut. 
      “I took advice from my mother-in-law. She said ‘Hey, why don’t you cut your hair? It’s really damaged.’ And me: ‘Ah, uh-huh,’”
      “Worst mistake of my life. Mother-in-law, I’m not taking cosmetic advice from you again.” 
      Shakira with Milan and Montserrat at a La Liga gameCredit: Getty
      She blamed her mother-in-law for the ‘terrible’ bobCredit: Getty
      Shock split
      Given their previously close relationship, Shakira may have expected her in-laws to condemn their son’s romance with Clara – which reportedly began months before the 2022 split.
      Rumours the former Barcelona star was having an affair emerged in June and days later, the couple shocked fans when they released a joint statement announcing their separation, adding: “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
      Spanish outlet El Periodico reported that they had been living separately for a few weeks, after Shakira kicked him out of the family home.
      Three months later, she was furious when he went public with new girlfriend Clara, then 22, and she was hurt and infuriated to discover Gerard’s parents actively supported his “romance” from the beginning.
      The couple made frequent visits to his parents’ home, in full view of the scorned singer, and invited the PR student to use their swimming pool.
      Earlier this month, Shakira was said to be “devastated” after footage of a zoom interview from August 2021, seemed to show Clara in the background of the family home – ten months before the couple announced their separation – while Shakira was reportedly abroad with the boys.
      She also revealed she turned sleuth on her cheating ex after discovering a jar of strawberry jam – which he hated – had been opened, suggesting he had been entertaining a ‘guest’ while she was away. 
      Images of Clara at the couple’s house before the split emerged recentlyCredit: YouTube/Ibai
      The singer was close to MontserratCredit: Instagram
      Diss track
      The star’s bitter new diss track – BZRP Music Sessions #53 – takes a swipe at both Gerard and Clara, referring to the women’s respective ages with the lyric: “I’m worth two 22s. You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo, you traded a Rolex for a Casio.”
      But she also gets in a dig at Montserrat, spitting: “You left me the mother-in-law as a neighbour.”
      As the feud escalated, Shakira played the tracks at full volume, on repeat, so her in-laws could hear. 
      In a bizarre move, she also placed a life-size mannequin, dressed as a witch on  a broomstick, on the balcony of her house, overlooking her in-laws’ home.
      Journalist Marc Leirado said the mannequin, with long grey hair and a witch’s hat, had spooked Montserrat.
      “Weeks ago, I got some information that Pique’s mother was worried about an alleged ritual that was done to her with a black witch,” he wrote.
      The star recorded a diss track with pal BizarrapCredit: DALE PLAY RECORDS
      The witch overlooking the Piques’ homeCredit: Splash
      He says Pique’s mum had asked a member of Shakira’s staff to remove it and it was temporarily taken down before being replaced.
      It seems she is now attempting to distance herself from the Pique family further, by building a wall around the mansion, which is soon to go up for sale as part of the split settlement.
      While Montserrat remains tight-lipped about the barbs from Shakira, she removed a ‘like’ she had given to the post of Shakira’s new song.
      Joan Pique responded with a humorous swipe of his own – changing his WhatsApp profile to a picture of Kevin Costner from Dancing With Wolves, an obvious reference to the She-Wolf tag.
      Gerard has also hit back with his own mocking stunts – turning up to work at his seven-a-side league office in a Twingo and gloating that he has secured sponsorship from Casio, in a direct reference to Shakira’s lyrics.
      In a video posted online, he told fans: “The King’s League struck a deal with Casio” as his former team-mate and ex-Man City star Sergio Aguero is seen chanting “Casio” on the video wall behind him. 
      Pique then points to a new timepiece and says “this watch will last a lifetime” before handing everybody on the set a watch.
      Read More on The Sun
      With the house about to be put up for sale, Shakira is planning a move to Miami with the boys but her 91-year-old dad, who has lived with her since being hospitalised after a fall last year, is not currently well enough.
      So it seems for now, the singer is stuck with the neighbours – no matter how much she hates them. 
      Gerard Pique taunts his ex with a Casio More

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      Inside Lionesses star Beth Mead’s glamorous life with partner Vivianne Miedema – from Ibiza hols to very pampered pooch

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      HER stunning goals helped the Lionesses bring it home this summer – and made her one of the most recognisable sportswomen on the planet. And this week, Beth Mead’s rapid rise to fame since the Women’s Euros was rounded off when she won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
      Beth Mead took home the coveted BBC Sports Personality Of The Year award this weekCredit: bethmead_/Instagram
      Beth and partner Vivianne Miedema at the Ballon D’or AwardsCredit: viviannemiedema/ Instagram
      The 27-year-old was accompanied at the ceremony by partner and teammate Vivianne Miedema, 26 – with both pictured in crutches following recent injuries.
      It followed a glamorous appearance at the prestigious Ballon d’Or Feminin in October, where both were dressed to the nines in stunning black dresses and walked the carpet together.
      Eventually, Beth came second place – just 26 points separating her from the top spot, while Vivienne came 11th over all.
      At just 16 years old in 2011, Beth was signed by Sunderland and played there for five years before Arsenal came calling.
      It was here that she met her former girlfriend, Danielle van de Donk, who lived with her during lockdown before they split.
      She has since found love with Dutch footballer Vivianne, who also plays for Arsenal and is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the Women’s Super League
      Opening up on her love life, Beth said: “When I was growing up, where I came from, there weren’t many people I knew that were openly gay or bisexual.
      “My parents, at the time, maybe struggled in the beginning and it was something that was hard for me to say.”
      Most read in Football
      Luxury holidays
      Beth shared snaps of her girls’ holiday to Ibiza with some of her Arsenal teammates earlier this yearCredit: bethmead_/Instagram
      Beth and Viv know how to enjoy life off the pitch tooCredit: viviannemiedema/ Instagram
      The pair keep fans updated with their lives on InstagramCredit: bethmead_/Instagram
      Now, however, Beth is happy to keep her legions of fans updated with her life off the pitch and regularly posts pics with her girlfriend.
      Their Instagrams show they love a holiday, with Beth sharing snaps from recent trips to Zakynthos and Greece.
      Beth also posted pictures from a girls’ holiday to Ibiza with her Arsenal teammates back in May, including one shot of them posing with club owner Wayne Lineker.
      Closer to home, they celebrated Beth’s 27th birthday with a trip to the Radio Rooftop in London earlier this year.
      Another member of her family that Beth loves to show off is her adorable pooch Rona.
      The footballer even dresses the dog up for Christmas in a Santa outfit.
      Journey to the top
      Beth initially had to play on all-boys teams as there weren’t any for girls in her hometownCredit: Beth Mead
      Beth has her own home in London, where she spent lockdownCredit: bethmead_/Instagram
      Despite her incredible success, Beth’s journey to the top hasn’t been easy.
      Growing up in the small village of Hinderwell in North Yorkshire, she had to play on boys’ teams at school because they didn’t have a female team.
      Initially, her parents were worried that playing with boys might be too rough for their daughter, but she quickly proved they had nothing to worry about.
      Beth recalled: ‘When she [mum] came back an hour later, he [the coach] basically said I was rougher than most of the boys!”
      She then went on to play for Middlesbrough Academy, with her loving mum taking on a second job to cover the cost of petrol to get Beth to and from training and games.
      Ever thankful to her parents, the striker has described them as “big people who have influenced [my] footballing career”.
      She shared her parents’ strong work ethic and took on double shifts as a waitress and behind the bar so she could earn enough to buy her first pair of football boots.
      Beth said: “I used to work Friday, Saturday. Sunday was double time behind the bar. I was a waitress part-time just to afford the boots. I enjoyed working there and I got my boots in the end.”
      Tragic diagnosis
      In 2021 Beth’s mum June was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.
      “I know I’m not going to share all those moments with my mum for the rest of my life anymore, so to share that moment with her last summer was just incredible,” Mead told the BBC after her SPOTY nomination was announced.
      “For me, football’s always been my first true love.
      Read More on The Sun
      “My mum sacrificed so much, she worked two jobs and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Nearly a year down the line we found out it was incurable. She’s still fighting.”
      Her father Richard also thinks the tragedy spurred his daughter on. He said: “The diagnosis with her mum, was a trigger for her to show the world what Beth Mead is really about. I think in the Euros she managed to do that.”
      The star is always up for a laugh and got dressed up for Halloween with Arsenal teammates Steph Catley and Jen BeattieCredit: bethmead_/Instagram
      Pictured with her pup and ex girlfriend Danielle van de DonkCredit: bethmead_/Instagram More