Diego Maradona's fortune will be distributed among his 5 children
After enjoying a successful career as an athlete and achieving worldwide fame by lifting the World Cup in 1986, Diego Armando Maradona became one of the most recognized icons in the history of football, amassing a great fortune composed of various properties, contracts, and luxury cars.
Following his death on November 25 at the age of 60 due to a heart attack, his fortune will be divided among his 5 recognized children: Dalma, Gianinna, Diego Jr., Dieguito Fernando, and Jana, all of whom are the rightful heirs of the Golden Boy.
Argentine law protects forced heirs (ascendants, descendants, or spouse), who are entitled to always receive a portion of the deceased's assets, known as the "legitimate portion." In the case of children, it is set at two-thirds of the assets.
The exact value of Maradona's fortune is a mystery. According to the specialized portal Celebrity Net Worth, cited by Diario Clarín, his total earnings from his career would amount to around $500 million.
"During his career as a player and coach, Maradona earned tens of millions of dollars in salaries and sponsorships. In the early 80s, he was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning several million a year in salaries and sponsorships with companies such as Hublot, Puma, and Coca-Cola," states the renowned US website.
According to Diario La Nación, the 'Diez' fortune is composed of personal assets (homes, cars, and jewelry) ranging from Buenos Aires to Dubai, valuable contracts and investments between Argentina and various parts of the world where he lived or worked.
Maradona reportedly owned at least five properties in his home country: an apartment located in Segurola and La Habana, in Villa Devoto, plus another one in the same neighborhood; an apartment in Puerto Madero; a house in Nordelta where his sisters live; and a house in Bella Vista that he acquired and handed over to his ex-partner Rocío Oliva and her family.
Maradona's house in Villa Devoto located in Segurola and La Habana. Photo: Diario Clarín
According to sources close to the Argentinean legend's inner circle, cited by Infobae, Maradona owned four cars in Argentina, and he also had two very expensive ones in Dubai: a Rolls Royce Ghost valued at €300,000 and a BMW i8 worth €145,000. He did not sell either of them before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, when he left Dubai. "During that time, he received many very expensive gifts; each one would have to be appraised," explained someone from the 'Diez' inner circle.
He also had a luxury vehicle called Hunta Overcomer, with a fiberglass chassis, which was given to him during his stay in Belarus, where he was the honorary president of Dynamo Brest. It is an amphibious tank specially designed for the army, with a height of 2.61 meters and a length of 4.50 meters, weighing 2.3 tons, a 100-liter fuel tank, capacity for seven people, and the ability to float on water.
In this exotic destination, he was also gifted a €300,000 diamond ring, which he wore on various occasions during his time as coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, and it is part of his impressive collection of jewelry.
Among the current contracts that Diego maintained, his salary agreement (plus image rights) with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata as a coach, his partnership with Puma as a sports brand, and his agreements with Konami and EA Sports for the use of his likeness in soccer video games stand out.
Diego Maradona in Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) and FIFA video games.
In addition, he owns soccer schools named after him in China, various investments in Cuba (including a hotel), and businesses in Venezuela and Italy.
The justice system will not have an easy task: it is very difficult to accurately calculate the fortune of a man who has built a legendary inheritance, considering that he played professionally from the age of 15 when he made his debut in the senior team of Argentinos Juniors and began his magical sports career. (I)