Last Updated: September 23, 2025
Category:
Richest AthletesTennis Players
Net Worth:
$200 Thousand
Birthdate:
Nov 22, 1967 (57 years old)
Birthplace:
Leimen
Gender:
Male
Height:
6 ft 3 in (1.9 m)
Profession:
Tennis player, Businessperson
Nationality:
Germany
  1. What Is Boris Becker's Net Worth, Salary, And Career Earnings?
  2. Early Life
  3. Career
  4. Career Earnings
  5. Relationships
  6. Post Playing Ventures
  7. Bankruptcy And Sentencing
  8. Real Estate

What Is Boris Becker's Net Worth, Salary, and Career Earnings?

Boris Becker is a former German professional tennis player and current coach who has a net worth of $200 thousand. Boris Becker emerged as one of tennis's most electrifying talents in the 1980s, known for his powerful serve, diving volleys, and fearless play on grass. He burst onto the global stage in 1985 when, at just 17 years old, he became the youngest-ever male Wimbledon champion—and the first unseeded player to win the title. Becker's aggressive serve-and-volley style made him a natural on fast surfaces, and he successfully defended his Wimbledon title the following year, solidifying his place among the sport's elite.

Over the course of his career, Becker won six Grand Slam singles titles: three at Wimbledon (1985, 1986, 1989), two Australian Opens (1991, 1996), and one US Open (1989). He was also a three-time French Open semifinalist, though Roland Garros remained the one major that eluded him. In addition to his Grand Slam success, Becker captured 49 singles titles and 15 doubles titles on the ATP Tour, and played a key role in helping Germany win the Davis Cup in 1988 and 1989. He reached the world No. 1 ranking in 1991.

Known for his emotional intensity and athletic flair, Becker became a fan favorite and one of the defining figures of tennis's golden era alongside rivals like Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl, and Andre Agassi. After retiring in 1999, he transitioned into coaching, most notably working with Novak Djokovic between 2013 and 2016, a period during which Djokovic won six Grand Slam titles.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Becker's post-tennis life has been marked by financial and legal troubles, including a 2022 conviction in the U.K. for hiding assets during bankruptcy proceedings. Still, his legacy as a fearless, trailblazing champion remains secure in the annals of tennis history.

According to Becker himself, as stated during a bankruptcy fight in 2022, during his professional tennis career, he earned roughly $50 million. After adjusting for inflation, that's the same as around $120 million in today's dollars.

In 2017, Boris began fighting a British bankruptcy court in what became a prolonged battle lasting through 2022. On April 28, 2022, a London court sentenced Boris to 2.5 years in prison for hiding assets during his bankruptcy proceeding. More details on this case later in the article below.

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Early Life

Boris Franz Becker was born on November 22, 1967, in Leimen, West Germany. He was raised in a Catholic household by his parents, Elvira and Karl-Heinz Becker, alongside his older sister, Sabine. His father, an architect, built a tennis center in Leimen, giving Boris access to excellent training facilities from a very young age. Becker quickly took to the sport, winning his first junior tournament at just six years old. By his teenage years, he was already recognized as one of the most promising young players in West Germany, competing against older opponents with confidence and power. He left school at 16 to focus entirely on tennis, setting the stage for one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in the history of the sport.

Career

Becker turned professional in 1984 and wasted little time making his mark on the tennis world, winning his first professional doubles title that same year. In 1985, he stunned the sports world when, at just 17 years old, he became the youngest man ever to win the Wimbledon singles championship. Ranked just 20th in the world and unseeded in the tournament, Becker's fearless serve-and-volley game, thunderous serves, and trademark diving volleys earned him an unlikely and historic victory. He successfully defended his Wimbledon title in 1986, solidifying himself as one of the premier players of his generation.

Over the next decade, Becker established himself as one of the defining figures of tennis's golden era. He claimed a total of six Grand Slam singles titles: three Wimbledons (1985, 1986, 1989), two Australian Opens (1991, 1996), and one US Open (1989). Clay courts proved to be his Achilles' heel, and the French Open remained the one major he never won, though he did reach three semifinals at Roland Garros. At his peak, Becker was ranked world No. 1 in 1991 and was widely regarded as one of the toughest competitors in the sport.

Beyond his individual titles, Becker also contributed to Germany's national success, leading the country to back-to-back Davis Cup victories in 1988 and 1989. His rivalries with Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl, and Andre Agassi produced some of the most memorable matches of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Known for his emotional intensity and charisma, Becker's on-court style made him a fan favorite and a major draw at tournaments worldwide.

By the mid-1990s, injuries, personal pressures, and declining results began to take their toll. He still managed to capture the 1996 Australian Open, his final Grand Slam victory, but retired from professional tennis in 1999 at the age of 31. In total, Becker's career tally included 49 singles titles and 15 doubles titles, and he finished his career with a reputation as one of the greatest grass-court players in history.

Career Earnings

During his playing career, Boris Becker earned an estimated $50 million from tournament winnings and endorsements, the equivalent of roughly $120 million in today's dollars. His on-court earnings alone amounted to just over $25 million, making him one of the top prize money leaders of his era. The rest came from sponsorships and endorsements with companies such as Puma, Fila, Ellesse, and Mercedes-Benz, all of which capitalized on his youthful charisma and early dominance at Wimbledon.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Becker's marketability was second only to a handful of global sports stars. He appeared in countless advertising campaigns and became one of the first German athletes to transcend national fame and achieve worldwide recognition. His image as "Boom Boom Becker," the teenager with a cannon serve and flair for diving volleys, made him a magnet for corporate deals.

(Photo by Simon Bruty/Getty Images)

Relationships

Boris Becker's personal life has often been as high-profile as his tennis career, marked by multiple marriages, children, and very public breakups.

In 1993, he married German-American model and designer Barbara Feltus. The couple had two sons together: Noah, born in 1994, and Elias, born in 1999. Their marriage ended in 2001, shortly after it was revealed that Becker had fathered a child during an extramarital encounter with Russian model Angela Ermakova. That brief tryst, which took place in a London restaurant, resulted in the birth of his daughter Anna in 2000. Barbara initially considered enforcing their prenuptial agreement, which would have limited her settlement, but she ultimately took Becker to court and was awarded a much larger divorce settlement, reportedly worth around $10 million.

Becker married again in 2009, this time to Dutch model Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg. The couple welcomed a son, Amadeus, later that year. Their marriage lasted nearly a decade before they separated in 2018. Since their split, Becker and Lilly have been involved in legal disputes over child support, with Becker accused of falling behind on payments.

In 2019, Becker began a relationship with political risk analyst Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, the daughter of the former defense minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. The couple married in a private ceremony in Portofino, Italy, in September 2024. They announced that they are expecting their first child together in late 2025.

In total, Becker has five children across his three marriages and other relationships. His personal life, often scrutinized by the tabloid press, has had a significant impact on his finances but also remains a central part of his public identity.

(Christian Alminana/Getty Images for Laureus)

Post-Playing Ventures

After retiring from professional tennis in 1999, Boris Becker pursued a wide range of ventures both inside and outside of sports. He quickly established himself as a prominent tennis commentator, providing analysis for networks such as the BBC during Wimbledon coverage, where his deep tactical knowledge and colorful personality made him a fixture of the broadcast booth.

Becker also turned to business, founding Volkl Inc. in 2000, a company that produced tennis rackets and apparel. He later lent his name and expertise to other equipment and lifestyle brands, though many of his entrepreneurial projects met with mixed success. He also served in advisory and leadership roles with organizations, including the German Tennis Federation and the board of Bayern Munich Football Club.

One of Becker's most high-profile returns to the game came as a coach. In 2013, he was hired by Novak Djokovic, then ranked No. 2 in the world. Under Becker's guidance, Djokovic elevated his game to new heights, capturing six Grand Slam titles between 2013 and 2016 and regaining the world No. 1 ranking. The partnership was widely regarded as a success and cemented Becker's reputation as a keen tennis strategist.

Outside of tennis, Becker briefly pursued a professional poker career, participating in European and international tournaments. He also dabbled in media and entertainment, publishing multiple autobiographies and appearing in documentaries and reality television shows. More recently, he has been involved in tennis commentary for international networks, speaking engagements, and various sports business ventures.

Boris Becker Net Worth

Hannelore Foerster/Getty Images

Bankruptcy and Sentencing

Although Boris Becker earned tens of millions during his career, his post-tennis finances unraveled in spectacular fashion. By the mid-2000s, reports surfaced of mounting debts fueled by costly divorces, child support payments, business missteps, and extravagant spending. In 2002, he was convicted of tax evasion in Germany and given a two-year suspended sentence along with a large fine, a warning sign of financial troubles to come.

In June 2017, a British court declared Becker bankrupt after he failed to repay a substantial loan, with total debts estimated near £50 million. Over the next several years, bankruptcy proceedings revealed a complicated web of financial obligations and asset transfers. Becker attempted to claim diplomatic immunity in 2018 by citing a questionable appointment as a diplomat for the Central African Republic, a defense later exposed as fraudulent.

In 2020, Boris Becker was accused of failing to hand over his Wimbledon trophies while he was liquidating his assets due to bankruptcy. Violating the terms of bankruptcy and failing to disclose information about one's assets is a serious offense, and Becker faced criminal charges.

His financial woes culminated in April 2022, when a London court found Becker guilty of four counts under the Insolvency Act. He was convicted of failing to disclose assets, including a £1 million property in his hometown of Leimen, concealing a £700,000 loan secured on that house, hiding shares in a technology company, and making improper transfers to his ex-wives and others out of a business account. He was acquitted on 20 other charges, including allegations that he had hidden his Wimbledon trophies.

Becker was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. He initially served time at HMP Wandsworth before being transferred to HMP Huntercombe, a facility for foreign nationals. After 230 days, he was released early in December 2022 and deported to Germany as part of a fast-track release program.

Boris Becker Net Worth

(Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for Laureus)

Real Estate

Over the years, Boris Becker owned several impressive properties, though many ultimately became tied up in his financial troubles. His most famous holding was a sprawling 60-acre estate in Mallorca, Spain, which featured a 31,000-square-foot villa with 12 bedrooms, a gym, swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, and horse stables. At its peak, the property was valued at around £9.4 million.

Becker listed the villa for £13 million in 2007 but struggled to find a buyer. As his debts mounted, the home fell into disrepair and became notorious after squatters took it over in 2018. The squatters trashed the interiors, stripped valuable furniture, and even used the grounds to film pornographic content. By 2020, reports confirmed they had been forcibly removed, though the property had already been severely damaged. Later that year, Becker surrendered the estate to British private bank Arbuthnot Latham as part of his debt settlement.

In addition to the Mallorca estate, Becker has owned luxury residences in Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom during his career. He was also known for renting high-end properties, including a £22,000-per-month home in Wimbledon while married to Lilly Kerssenberg. However, by the time of his 2017 bankruptcy, most of his real estate holdings had been sold off or repossessed to satisfy creditors.

All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.
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