Tiger Woods heads Forbes rich list again after 'love rat' hiatus
Golfer earns $78.1m in 2012 to top the wealth list he dominated for 11 consecutive years
WHO SAYS cheats never prosper? Tiger Woods, whose career and image went into a nosedive after he was discovered to be cheating on his wife, today heads the new Forbes list of the world's 100 highest paid athletes.
The 37-year-old golfer tops the Forbes leader-board after taking home $78.1 million last year, the bulk coming from endorsement deals totalling $65 million. The rest - $13.1 million - he won on the course as he showed glimpses of the form he displayed before his world imploded in December 2009.
That was when Woods was exposed as a serial womaniser. He and his Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, subsequently divorced and the hoo-ha had a knock-on effect on his earnings.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Having topped the Forbes rich list for 11 consecutive years, Woods was ousted from the top spot in 2012 by tennis ace Roger Federer, the Swiss star exuding an altogether more wholesome image than the two-timing Tiger.
But Woods swears he's now a changed man. He's been stepping out with Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and the lovebirds are regulars on the celebrity circuit, even gracing the annual ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Federer slips to second on the list, netting $71.5m last year, while third is basketball's Kobe Bryant whose earnings were $61.9m.
The highest Briton – and footballer – to feature on the rich list is David Beckham in eighth spot. The 38-year-old, who announced his retirement last month, won't have to fret too much about paying the gas bills in his dotage: last year Becks banked $47.2m, all but $5.2m coming from endorsements.
Ninth is Cristiano Ronaldo on $44m, the Real Madrid star ranking one place above Lionel Messi of Barcelona, who earned $41.3m last year.
Only three female athletes make the list. Tennis star Maria Sharapova is best placed at 22nd having earned $29m. She could improve her bank balance further if she beats Serena Williams tomorrow in the final of the French Open.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrand
In the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Augusta Masters: the pinnacle of sport
In the Spotlight The most prestigious of golf's four majors is a unique exercise in the pantheon of sports
By Farhad Heydari Published
-
John Motson dies aged 77: five best Motty moments
Under the Radar The legendary BBC football commentator delivered countless iconic lines in 50-year career
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Where will Cristiano Ronaldo go next?
feature Portugal captain has been linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published
-
Roger Federer’s retirement: an end to a ‘magical era’
Talking Point The Laver Cup will be the Swiss national’s final competitive appearance
By The Week Staff Published
-
Roger Federer and the ‘GOAT’ debate
Talking Point Tennis luminaries line up to declare the Swiss the greatest of all time
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published