Gareth Bale, widely hailed as the greatest Welsh footballer of all time, may have stepped off the pitch, but his presence continues to shine in both business and global pop culture. Two years into retirement, Bale, now 35 years old, enjoys a lavish lifestyle and impressive portfolio that keeps his name relevant far beyond football. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around £120 million (approximately $150 million).
Football Career: A Legacy Etched in Gold
Bale’s career achievements are nothing short of legendary. He earned 111 caps for Wales, scored a record 41 international goals, and played a pivotal role in leading his country to three major international tournaments, including Wales’ first World Cup in 64 years.
At club level, Bale began his journey at Southampton, made a name for himself at Tottenham Hotspur, and completed a then-world-record £85 million move to Real Madrid in 2013. In Spain, he flourished, winning:
- Five UEFA Champions League titles
- Three La Liga championships
- Eighteen major trophies overall
He capped off his club career with a MLS Cup victory at Los Angeles FC, officially announcing his retirement in January 2023, aged 33.
A Lavish Yet Grounded Lifestyle
Since hanging up his boots, Gareth Bale has taken full advantage of his well-earned freedom. Married to childhood sweetheart Emma Rhys-Jones in 2019, the couple shares four children: Alba, Nava, Axel, and Xander. Together, they’ve embraced retirement by traveling extensively and making unforgettable family memories.
From Lapland to Abu Dhabi, Bale has documented his luxury vacations on social media. His Instagram offers glimpses of his life spent attending global events, sitting front row at fashion shows, playing PlayStation with F1 star Lando Norris, and golfing with Rory McIlroy. It’s the dream life of a global sports icon who’s earned every bit of his fame.
Custom Golf Course and Fitness Lifestyle
Despite retiring from football, Bale has maintained his athletic form. In fact, he’s known for his lean, muscular build—often spotted shirtless on exotic beaches or showing off his fitness routines. Golf remains his new competitive passion, and he’s taken it seriously.
At his £4 million mansion in the Vale of Glamorgan, Bale constructed a three-hole private golf course replicating famous holes:
- The 17th at TPC Sawgrass
- The 8th at Royal Troon (aka the Postage Stamp)
- The 12th at Augusta National
With a reported golf handicap of two, he’s earned praise from professionals like McIlroy, who said Bale has the potential to reach scratch level with continued play.
Business Ventures: From Bars to Big Investments
Gareth Bale’s post-football career is just as strategic as his game on the pitch. He’s diversified his earnings through smart investments and business launches.
- In 2017, Bale opened Elevens Bar & Grill in Cardiff, a sports bar with a sleek vibe.
- He followed it up in 2022 with Par 59, a unique mini-golf bar concept on St Mary Street. The concept expanded into Bristol, showing signs of a budding hospitality empire.
- Despite being teetotal, Bale made a “significant investment” in Penderyn Distillery, becoming a minority shareholder.
He also joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL Golf League, cementing his commitment to the sport.
These ventures, combined with past endorsement deals from Adidas, PlayStation, and BMW, contribute significantly to his continued financial success.
Endorsements and Collaborations
Throughout his career, Bale was one of the most marketable athletes in football. He has partnered with major global brands, and even in retirement, his name continues to attract sponsorships and brand collaborations.
One standout partnership is his work with Adidas Golf, which now includes digital content, campaign appearances, and branded events. In 2024, he also became an ambassador for Steph Curry’s Underrated Golf European Tour, supporting diversity and youth involvement in the sport.
His ability to pivot from football to golf, while still attracting top-tier sponsors, is a testament to his enduring brand power.
Iconic Moments: Hole-in-One Heroics
Bale made headlines again when he scored his first-ever hole-in-one in California shortly after retiring. The moment was caught on video and went viral, adding to his catalog of iconic sporting highlights. The footage, shared by a friend, humorously referenced his famous bicycle kick goal in the 2018 Champions League final, proving he’s still making magic—just with a different ball.
Will He Buy a Football Club?
There’s been speculation that Bale might take the next logical step and become a football club owner. According to former Wales assistant Osian Roberts, Bale was encouraged by his national teammates to purchase Merthyr Town FC, a club in the seventh tier of English football.
The idea? To reunite the team and “take them to the Premier League.” While nothing has materialized yet, such a move would hardly be surprising for someone as passionate and well-resourced as Bale.
Final Thoughts
From a boy in Cardiff to a football icon and now a global entrepreneur, Gareth Bale’s net worth of £120 million in 2025 reflects a career marked by talent, timing, and savvy investments. Whether he’s crushing it on the golf course, attending high-profile events, or quietly expanding his business empire, Bale is showing the world what it means to retire with purpose.
Though his boots may be hung up, Gareth Bale remains a champion in life, and his post-football era is just as impressive as his playing days. With family by his side and the world at his feet, the Welsh legend is only just getting started.
