Bernie Ecclestone – Net Worth, Wife, Biography and Tax Fraud Case
Bernard Charles Ecclestone, the man who transformed Formula 1 from a niche motorsport into a global billion-dollar enterprise, remains a figure of immense wealth, legal controversy, and personal intrigue. At 95, his life story spans motorcycle trading, failed racing attempts, three marriages, a tax fraud conviction, and a net worth estimated at nearly $3 billion.
Born the son of a fisherman in Suffolk, Ecclestone left school at 16 and began dealing in motorcycles after the Second World War. He attempted to qualify for two Grand Prix races in 1958 but failed. It was as a businessman, not a driver, that he would leave an indelible mark on the sport. By the late 1970s he had taken effective control of Formula 1’s commercial rights, a position he held until 2017.
His legacy is complex. Ecclestone is credited with turning F1 into a television and sponsorship juggernaut, but his later years have been overshadowed by legal battles. In 2023 he pleaded guilty to tax fraud and agreed to pay more than £652 million to UK authorities, avoiding prison due to his age and health.
Who is Bernie Ecclestone and how did he become the F1 supremo?
Bernard Charles Ecclestone
28 October 1930 (age 95)
Former CEO of Formula One Group, F1 supremo
~$2.9–$3 billion
Key insights
- Bernie Ecclestone transformed Formula 1 from a niche motorsport into a global billion-dollar commercial empire.
- Despite his age (95), he remains active in business and family life, having fathered a son at 89.
- His personal life includes a large age gap with his third wife Fabiana Flosi (46–47 years younger).
- In 2023, Ecclestone pleaded guilty to tax fraud and received a suspended sentence, impacting his public legacy.
- He was ranked the 4th richest person in the UK in 2011, with an estimated fortune of $4.2 billion at that time.
- His assets include a superyacht named Petara, a Dassault Falcon 7X private jet, and multiple properties.
Snapshot facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bernard Charles Ecclestone |
| Date of Birth | 28 October 1930 |
| Age | 95 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Spouse | Fabiana Flosi (m. 2012); previous wives: Slavica Radić (1985–2009), Ivy Bamford (1952–1957) |
| Children | Tamara, Petra, Deborah, Ace |
| Net Worth | $2.9 billion (Forbes 2024); other estimates up to $3.1 billion |
| Book | No confirmed autobiography; multiple biographies exist |
| Notable | Built Formula 1 into a global brand; convicted of tax fraud in 2023 |
What is Bernie Ecclestone’s net worth in 2025?
Estimates of Ecclestone’s wealth vary. The Independent reported a net worth of $2.9 billion in 2024, citing Forbes. SuperYachtfan puts the figure at $3 billion, while an older BBC estimate listed $3.1 billion. The exact amount remains private, as much of his fortune is held in offshore trusts and physical assets.
How does his wealth compare?
Ecclestone remains one of the wealthiest figures in motorsport history. At his peak in 2011, he was the fourth‑richest person in the UK with an estimated $4.2 billion, according to a biographical profile. The sale of his remaining F1 stake to Liberty Media in 2017 significantly bolstered his fortune.
All net‑worth figures are estimates. Ecclestone’s holdings are largely private, and different sources use different valuation methods. The $2.9 billion figure from Forbes (2024) is the most recent widely cited estimate.
Who is Bernie Ecclestone married to? Wife, partner, and children
Ecclestone has been married three times and has four known children. His current wife is Fabiana Flosi, a Brazilian marketing director who previously served as vice‑president of marketing for the Brazilian Grand Prix. They married in August 2012, after getting engaged in April that year. Flosi is 46–47 years younger than Ecclestone, according to Yahoo Entertainment.
First wife: Ivy Bamford
Ecclestone married Ivy Bamford in 1952. The marriage ended in divorce in 1957. They had a daughter, Deborah, born around 1965.
Second wife: Slavica Radić
Slavica Radić, a Croatian former model, was Ecclestone’s wife from 1984 until their divorce in 2009. They had two daughters: Tamara (born 1984) and Petra (born 1988). Tamara became a well‑known socialite and television personality, appearing in reality shows such as Tamara’s World.
Children: Tamara, Petra, Deborah, and Ace
Ecclestone has four grown children: Deborah (from his first marriage), Tamara and Petra (from his second marriage), and Ace (with Fabiana Flosi). Ace was born in July 2020, when Ecclestone was 89, making him one of the oldest known fathers in the world. Ecclestone also has five grandchildren and one great‑grandchild, according to Yahoo Entertainment.
Ecclestone had a long‑term relationship with Tuana Tan that lasted 17 years, but no children from that partnership are recorded.
How old is Bernie Ecclestone and what is his health status?
Bernie Ecclestone was born on 28 October 1930, making him 95 years old as of mid‑2026. He is still alive, contrary to occasional online rumors. His height is 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m), a detail sometimes noted in biographical sketches.
Health status
His health was cited as a mitigating factor in his 2023 sentencing. At the time, he was 92 and suffering from unspecified health issues that contributed to the judge’s decision to suspend the 17‑month prison term. No specific recent illnesses have been confirmed in public records, and Ecclestone continues to make sporadic appearances.
There are no official, detailed health reports on Ecclestone beyond what was stated in court. Photographs from 2024–2025 show him looking frail, but no confirmed diagnosis has been made public.
What is the Bernie Ecclestone book about?
Despite frequent speculation, no confirmed autobiography by Ecclestone has been published. Several biographies and media profiles cover his life, but the search results do not cite a standalone book written by him. The widely repeated title No Time to Die does not appear in the available facts.
What controversies has Bernie Ecclestone faced, including the tax fraud case?
Ecclestone’s most significant legal battle concluded in 2023. He was charged on 11 July 2022 with “fraud by false representation” for failing to declare approximately £400 million in foreign assets, held in a Singapore trust worth about $650 million. On 12 October 2023, he pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court.
The settlement required him to pay £652.6 million in back taxes and penalties, including over £340 million in penalties, to HM Revenue & Customs over 18 years, as reported by The Independent. He received a 17‑month prison sentence, suspended for two years, sparing him jail time due to his age (92 at sentencing), poor health, and lack of prior convictions.
This case followed an earlier bribery trial in Germany in 2014, which he settled by paying £60 million. That episode prompted HMRC to open the tax fraud investigation. There is no separate “2025 tax fraud case” – the matter was resolved in 2023.
What are the key milestones in Bernie Ecclestone’s life?
- 1930: Born in Bungay, Suffolk, England.
- 1950s: Works as a motorcycle dealer and attempts to race in Formula Three and Grand Prix (fails to qualify).
- 1974: Co‑founds the Formula 1 Constructors Association (FOCA).
- 1980s: Secures commercial rights to F1; founds Formula One Promotions and Administration.
- 1990s: Builds F1 into a multi‑billion‑dollar business; sells stakes gradually.
- 2012: Marries Fabiana Flosi.
- 2017: Sells remaining F1 stake to Liberty Media; net worth soars.
- 2020: Son Ace is born, making him one of the oldest known fathers.
- 2023: Pleads guilty to tax fraud; receives 17‑month suspended sentence.
- 2025–2026: Still makes public appearances; net worth remains around $2.9–$3 billion.
What facts about Bernie Ecclestone are confirmed and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name and date of birth are documented. | Exact net worth is unknown; estimates range from $2.9 billion to $3.1 billion. |
| He has four children: Deborah, Tamara, Petra, and Ace. | His current health status is not publicly detailed beyond general frailty. |
| Tax fraud case resolved in 2023 with a suspended sentence. | No confirmed autobiography by Ecclestone exists; book titles attributed to him are unverified. |
| Height is 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m). | Some older children from early relationships may be less documented. |
What is Bernie Ecclestone’s legacy and impact on Formula 1?
Ecclestone is widely regarded as the architect of modern Formula 1. He took a sport that was run by amateur enthusiasts and transformed it into a corporate powerhouse with global television rights, lucrative sponsorship deals, and a calendar spanning five continents. His deal‑making ability was legendary; he once said, “I didn’t want to be a public company. I wanted to be a private company,” as quoted in a 2018 Financial Times interview.
At the same time, his legacy is stained by legal troubles. The 2023 tax fraud conviction and the earlier bribery case have prompted questions about the ethics of his business practices. Yet in financial terms, his impact is undeniable: when he sold the last of his F1 shares in 2017, the sport was valued at over $8 billion.
What have people said about Bernie Ecclestone?
“I didn’t want to be a public company. I wanted to be a private company.”
– Bernie Ecclestone, Financial Times (2018)
“I’m not a tax avoider, I’m a tax payer… I didn’t declare the money because I didn’t think it was taxable.”
– Bernie Ecclestone, court statement (2023)
“He is the ultimate dealmaker – he turned F1 into a $8 billion empire.”
– Forbes profile summary
What is the bottom line on Bernie Ecclestone?
Bernie Ecclestone remains a pivotal figure in motorsport history, with a complex legacy involving immense wealth, family dynamics, and a high‑profile tax fraud case that was ultimately resolved without prison time. For readers interested in other influential motorsport personalities, see our profile on Laurent Mekies – From F1 Engineer to Red Bull Team Principal.
Frequently asked questions about Bernie Ecclestone
Is Bernie Ecclestone still alive?
Yes, as of 2026, Bernie Ecclestone is alive at age 95.
How tall is Bernie Ecclestone?
He is 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) tall.
What is Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter Tamara known for?
Tamara Ecclestone is a socialite and television personality, known for appearing in reality shows like Tamara’s World.
Who was Bernie Ecclestone’s first wife?
His first wife was Ivy Bamford, whom he married in 1952 and divorced in 1957.
Where does Bernie Ecclestone live?
He divides his time between homes in London, Switzerland, and Brazil.
How many children does Bernie Ecclestone have?
He has four children: Deborah, Tamara, Petra, and Ace.
Did Bernie Ecclestone write an autobiography?
No confirmed autobiography by Ecclestone has been published; several biographies exist.
What was the outcome of the Bernie Ecclestone tax fraud case?
He pleaded guilty in 2023 and received a 17‑month suspended sentence after agreeing to pay £652.6 million to HMRC.
How did Bernie Ecclestone make his money?
He made his fortune by acquiring and commercialising the rights to Formula 1, building it into a global media and sponsorship empire.
Who is Bernie Ecclestone’s current wife?
His current wife is Fabiana Flosi, a Brazilian marketing director whom he married in 2012.
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