Rio Gavin Ferdinand is a former professional soccer player (footballer) born on 7th November 1978 in Denmark Hill, London, UK. He played 81 matches for the England national football team, and was a member of three FIFA World Cup teams. Many consider him to be one of England’s greatest players ever, and he is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time. He currently works for BT Sport as a television pundit.
Have you ever wondered how rich Rio Ferdinand is? According to sources it has been estimated that Rio Ferdinand’s overall net worth is $75 million, as of July 2017. Ferdinand accumulated his impressive wealth through an extremely successful football career, which he started in the early ‘90s. Becoming one of the most popular footballers and receiving a remarkable number of acknowledgements, he has significantly increased his net worth.
Rio Ferdinand Net Worth $75 Million
Although born in Camberwell, Rio grew up in Peckham in a large family. From his mother’s side he is of Irish decent and Saint Lucian from his father’s side. When he was 14 his parents separated, but his father remained close, taking the children to football training. Ferdinand went to Camelot Primary School where his favorite subjects were maths and drama. In fact, he was so good at it, that he represented the school in gymnastics at the London Youth Games and was invited to train at the Queens Park Rangers academy by the time he was 10. However, when he was eleven years old, Rio won a scholarship to attend the Central School of Ballet and continued going to ballet classes four days a week for four years. However, he preferred to enroll at Blackheath Bluecoat School, where he enjoyed taking part in not just football but also gymnastics classes, ballet, drama and theatre. When it comes to his talent in football, Rio always showed superior abilities, and regularly played in youth teams including for Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Chelsea. In January 1994, Ferdinand signed his first Youth Training Scheme and at 16 he joined the England youth team squad for the UEFA European Football Championship.
Rio signed professionally for West Ham United, and won the Hammer of the Year award in the 1997/98 season. Two years later, he joined the Premier League club Leeds United, and led them to the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League. After two years with Leeds United, Rio transferred to Manchester United for an astonishingly expensive contract of around 30 million Pounds which, at the time, made him the most expensive British football player in history. With this team he won a medal in the 2006 League Cup and runners-up medals in the 2005 FA Cup and 2003 League Cup. He subsequently won six Premer League titles with United, three Football League Cups, the UEFA Club Championship in 2008 and the FIFA World Club Cup the same year. Thanks to his impressive performances in the league, he was six times named in the PFA Premiership Team of the Season.
It was in July 2014 that Ferdinand decided to sign for new Premier League club Queens Park Rangers, however, he made only 12 appearances for this team before announcing his retirement from professional football in May 2015.
During his career, Rio was capped 81 times for England – Ashley Cole is the only coloured player with more ‘caps’ – including playing ten World Cup finals games, and has been considered an a-typical defensive product of its football. He is still regarded as one of the best defenders in his generation, and one of best ever centre-backs.
Privately, Rio married Rebecca Ellison in 2009, who died of breast cancer in May 2015. From this marriage he has three children. He has published two autobiographies – “Rio:My Story” and “#2Sides”, in which he detailed his upbringing and life. Ferdinand founded the Rio Ferdinand Live the Dream Foundation in December 2009, a charity organization which helps young people from impoverished communities.
