Billionaire Olympics star is worth double Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The Paris Olympics have officially begun – but one of the wealthiest Olympians in recent history will not be part of the spectacle. The Games got underway with a spectacular and equally controversial ceremony on Friday night.

It began at Austerlitz Bridge and ended against the dramatic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. All the while, a staggering 300,000 rain-soaked spectators watched as 10,500 hopeful athletes from more than 200 different countries sailed down the River Seine.

Unfortunately absent from the Danish team was dressage rider Anna Kasprzak – who boasts a net worth surpassing even the two greatest footballers of the 21st century in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Despite being born in Germany, the 34-year-old chose to represent Denmark during her career. And while she is a respected name in dressage, Kasprzak has by no means been among her sport’s most successful competitors.

Her accomplishments include competing in the Summer Olympics in 2012 and 2016, with her best individual result being a 14th placed finish in Rio. She also represented her adopted country at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the European Dressage Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2017, securing a silver medal in the latter.

It’s safe to say Kasprzak has hardly made waves in the sporting world. But how did she manage to amass her extraordinary $1.3billion (£1.01bn) net worth?

Anna’s mother, Hanni, is the owner and CEO of Danish shoe brand ECCO – a company first set up by her late grandfather in 1963. Both Anna and her brother Andre sit on the supervisory board, enjoying the financial benefits of the firm’s success.

ECCO’s products are sold in 90 countries worldwide through more than 2,200 stores, while the brand also boasts a significant online presence. Kasprzak likewise runs a private dressage barn in Haderslev, Denmark, for a bit of extra income – not that she needs it.

To give you an idea of her wealth, Kasprzak’s net worth as of 2024 edges that of football superstars Messi and Ronaldo combined. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and recent Copa America champion Messi has a net worth of approximately $650 million (£505m). His long-standing rival Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr, is estimated to be worth over £500m.

Messi’s transfer to David Beckham’s Inter Miami team in July 2023 secured him a third-place spot on Forbes’ list of highest-earning athletes for 2024. The 37-year-old Argentine earned £50m from his on-field exploits alone, supplemented by an additional £54m from endorsements and other off-field streams.

Ronaldo has likewise amassed a fortune over his illustrious career, with his wealth bolstered by numerous sponsorships, including a lifetime partnership with Nike, as well as deals with Herbalife, Tag Heuer and Clear Haircare. The five-time Ballon d’Or recipient saw a significant increase in his earnings when he penned a reported £172m-per-year contract with Al-Nassr for two-and-a-half years in January 2023.

The deal catapulted the Portugal captain, 39, to the position of the highest-paid player in football history. Although he still lags behind Kasprzak by a substantial amount, he is rapidly closing the gap due to his status as the highest-earning sportsperson in the world for 2024, bringing in a staggering £202m in just one year.