Boris Becker won six Grand Slam titles and amassed a fortune of around £100m, but his reckless financial decisions and legal woes led to him being declared bankrupt
Boris Becker, the legendary tennis figure who claimed Wimbledon victory three times, was once an international superstar, amassing a fortune through Grand Slam triumphs and lucrative endorsements.
At the height of his success, his net worth was believed to be around £100million. However, a string of poor financial choices and mounting legal issues ultimately led to his financial collapse and a stint in prison.
He had to part with his prized trophies and give up his extravagant mansion in Mallorca, as his once-glamorous lifestyle disintegrated. This is the tale of Becker’s dramatic downfall and his ongoing effort to recover.
Becker’s tennis career was remarkable by any measure. Making a sensational debut in 1985, he became Wimbledon’s youngest men’s singles champion at just 17 – a record that still stands. Known for his explosive serve-and-volley tactics and fierce determination, he secured six Grand Slam titles: three Wimbledon crowns (1985, 1986, 1989), two Australian Opens (1991, 1996), and one US Open (1989).
His magnetic presence and style turned him into a household name, attracting multimillion-pound sponsorships. After hanging up his racket in 1999, Becker pivoted to coaching, most prominently working with Novak Djokovic between 2013 and 2016. Under his guidance, Djokovic claimed six Grand Slam championships, reinforcing Becker’s status as a brilliant strategist and tennis intellect.
He also became a regular voice at Wimbledon through his role as a BBC commentator, where his deep insights and personal experience made him a favourite among viewers.
His downfall began in 2017 when he was declared bankrupt over an unpaid £3m loan linked to his luxurious Mallorcan villa, referred to as “The Finca.” Purchased in 1997 for £500,000, the sprawling 10,000-square-foot property in Alaro came with seven bedrooms, a pool, tennis and basketball courts.
Once valued at £9m, the estate became a burden. Becker spent millions refurbishing it, but by 2018 had deserted the property, which had turned into a “dilapidated ghost house” – its walls defaced with graffiti and its roof partially caved in.
In 2020, Becker relinquished ownership of the home to a British bank in an effort to reduce his mounting debt, marking a significant low point. His situation worsened as he was forced to sell off his treasured tennis memorabilia – tokens of his six Grand Slam titles.
In 2018, 82 items – including a replica of his 1985 Wimbledon trophy – were auctioned for £700,000. The sale was a stark indication of his decline, as he let go of symbols from his celebrated past to satisfy creditors.
His financial problems were worsened by legal entanglements. In 2022, he was found guilty of concealing £2.5m in assets and loans to avoid repaying debts, breaching UK insolvency laws. The hidden holdings included a £1m German residence and shares in a technology company.
Convicted on four counts, Becker was handed a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. He served eight months in HMP Wandsworth and Huntercombe before being released and deported to Germany in December 2022. The court case exposed his mismanagement, as prosecutors detailed his efforts to maintain extravagance while deep in debt.
His personal affairs have also seen turmoil. Married twice, Becker is a father of four from prior relationships. Just last month, at age 57, he revealed that he and his 35-year-old wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, are expecting their first child together.
The pair, who wed in a lavish Italian ceremony in 2022, have endured public scrutiny, but Lilian has remained a loyal partner during Becker’s legal and financial troubles.
Despite everything, Becker is working to rebuild. Since regaining his freedom, he has resumed his tennis broadcasting work, and his family – especially Lilian – has become the cornerstone of his rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the ruined Mallorcan property and missing trophies linger as painful symbols of his former life.
Becker’s tale – from Wimbledon’s youngest champion to a striking example of overindulgence – is a powerful reminder of how quickly fame and wealth can slip away. With a new baby on the horizon and his bankruptcy behind him, he now finds himself at a pivotal moment, striving to reclaim his legacy with the same intensity that once made him a legend on the court.