Biography of Rio Ferdinand: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Rio Ferdinand is a former professional football player who played as a center back for major clubs like Manchester United and the England national team. He enjoyed great success over his long playing career and has transitioned into a media career post-retirement.
This article will provide a complete biography of Rio Ferdinand, including details on his net worth, age, playing career, records, family, achievements and relationships.
What teams did Rio Ferdinand play for?
Over his illustrious career, Rio Ferdinand played for several major teams:
- West Ham United (1996-2000)
- Leeds United (2000-2002)
- Manchester United (2002-2014)
- England national team (1997-2011)
He enjoyed the greatest team honors and individual accolades of his career with Manchester United, where he spent 12 seasons and established himself as one of the world’s best defenders.
What trophies did Rio Ferdinand win?
Rio Ferdinand won a host of major trophies over his career:
- 6 Premier League titles
- 1 Champions League title
- 2 League Cups
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup
With the England national team, he played in 3 World Cup tournaments. Though England did not win any major trophies during his tenure, Ferdinand was a key member of the famous “Golden Generation” of English talent in the 2000s.
Net Worth and Salary
According to online sources, Rio Ferdinand has a net worth estimated at approximately $75 million as of 2023.
| Season | Club | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-2009 | Manchester United | $220,000 per week |
| 2010-2013 | Manchester United | $275,000 per week |
| 2013-2014 | Manchester United | $300,000 per week |
As the above table shows, Ferdinand was one of the highest paid players in the Premiership during his peak years at Manchester United. Additional income through endorsements and business interests have bolstered his wealth.
Early Life and Age
- Rio Gavin Ferdinand was born on 7 November 1978 in Camberwell, London.
- As of 2023, he is 44 years old.
- His mother Janice Lavender died of cancer in 2003 at age of 33. His father Julian Ferdinand left the family when Rio was young.
- He grew up on the Friary Estate in Peckham, an economically disadvantaged south London neighborhood rife with crime and drugs.
Youth and Early Career
- Ferdinand signed for West Ham United as a youth player in 1992 at age 14 after being spotted by Frank Lampard Sr.
- He progressed through the West Ham youth teams and made his senior debut in 1996 at age 18, quickly establishing himself as an immensely promising defender.
- In November 2000, aged 22, Ferdinand joined Leeds United for £18 million, a record transfer fee for a defender at the time.
Peak Career at Manchester United
In July 2002, aged 24, Ferdinand joined Manchester United for £30 million, another record breaking transfer fee. It made Ferdinand:
- The world’s most expensive defender for a second time
- The most expensive British footballer of all time at the time
Achievements at Manchester United:
- Premier League Winner: 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
- Champions League Winner: 2008
- League Cup Winner: 2006, 2009
- Club World Cup Winner: 2008
- Named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year 5 times
- Named Manchester United Player of the Year in 2011-2012
Ferdinand cemented himself as one of Manchester United and England’s most important players during his 12 year stay. He formed legendary defensive partnerships with players like Nemanja Vidic and became club captain in 2010.
England National Team Career
At age 19, Ferdinand earned his first England cap in a 1998 friendly against Cameroon. He quickly became a regular player for his country and has made several World Cup appearances:
- FIFA World Cup 2002 (Quarter-finals)
- FIFA World Cup 2006 (Quarter-finals)
- FIFA World Cup 2010
Though England suffered heartbreak in tournaments, Ferdinand appeared 81 times for England over 14 years and scored 3 goals.
Retirement and Post-Playing Career
After 12 seasons and over 450 appearances at Old Trafford, Ferdinand was released by Manchester United at age 35 when his contract expired in 2014. He signed for Queens Park Rangers as a player-coach in 2014 before announcing his retirement the following year due to persistent injury problems.
After retirement, Ferdinand transitioned into a broadcast and media career, including prominent positions such as:
- Football pundit for BT Sport
- Host of Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel
- Published autobiography #2Sides in 2017
Personal Life, Family and Relationships
- Ferdinand comes from a family of 6 children – he has 2 sisters and 3 brothers.
- His cousins are professional footballers Les Ferdinand and Kane Ferdinand.
- Ferdinand has 6 children of his own with 3 different women.
With Rebecca Ellison (1996-2005):
- Sons Lorenz (born 2000) and Tate (born 2002)
With his wife Rebecca Ferdinand (married 2009-2015):
- Son Tiaan (born 2010)
- Daughter Coco (born 2011)
With Kate Wright (dating 2016-2019):
- Son Cree (born 2017)
Tragedy struck in 2015 when Rebecca died of breast cancer at age 34. The following year, Ferdinand started a well-publicized relationship with The Only Way is Essex star Kate Wright. They had a son together but separated in 2019.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rio Ferdinand stands out as one of England’s greatest ever football defenders and a personality who has successfully transitioned into the media world post-retirement.
He became a world-record transfer twice during his peak playing years with Leeds and Manchester United, where he collected a plethora of trophies.
Though Ferdinand came from humble beginnings in south London, he has amassed multi-millionaire wealth through lucrative playing contracts, endorsements and good business investments. He also overcame heartbreaking adversity and trauma in his personal life by losing both his mother and first wife prematurely.
Ferdinand continues to share insights on the game he loves while supporting various charities through his Rio Ferdinand Foundation that focuses on youth empowerment and opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rio Ferdinand’s net worth?
Rio Ferdinand has an estimated net worth of $75 million as of 2023, amassed through his playing career, endorsements, business ventures and media career. At his peak playing years at Manchester United from 2002-2014, he earned up to $300,000 per week.
How many children does Rio Ferdinand have?
Rio Ferdinand has 6 children with 3 different women – 2 sons and a daughter with first wife Rebecca Ellison before her passing, 2 children with second wife Rebecca, and a son with Kate Wright.
What position did Rio Ferdinand play?
Rio Ferdinand played as a center back during his football career. He started off as an athletic and skilled ball-playing defender but refined his game over the years to become an intelligent reader of the game based on positioning rather than pace.
What teams did Rio Ferdinand play for?
During his professional career spanning 19 years, Rio Ferdinand played for four clubs: West Ham United (1993-2000), Leeds United (2000-2002), Manchester United (2002-2014) and QPR (2014-2015). He also made 81 appearances and scored 3 goals for the England national team between 1997-2011.
Why did Rio Ferdinand retire?
Rio Ferdinand took an early retirement at the end of the 2014-2015 season at age 36 while at Queens Park Rangers. Persistent back and knee injury problems that plagued his later playing years were cited as the main reasons, along with a desire to spend more time with his family following the death of his wife.
