Diego Maradona, a renowned Argentine football coach, manager, and former player, left behind a significant net worth at the time of his death in 2020. His impressive career was marked by both triumphs and controversies.
Diego Maradona, a celebrated Argentine football personality, passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60. During his illustrious career as a player and coach, he amassed a substantial fortune from various sources, including lucrative salaries and endorsement deals. At the height of his fame in the early 1980s, Maradona's annual earnings from salaries and endorsements were in the millions, with some sources suggesting he earned several million dollars per year. His income was bolstered by partnerships with prominent brands such as Hublot, Puma, and Coca-Cola. However, Maradona's life was also marred by personal struggles, including drug addiction, financial difficulties, and health issues. His off-field antics often overshadowed his impressive football career, generating considerable controversy. One of Maradona's most notable achievements was his stint as a manager, which followed his retirement from playing. He began his managerial career in the mid-1980s and went on to earn substantial sums from his coaching roles. Between 1984 and 1991, Maradona's salary alone reached $43 million, equivalent to approximately $100 million in today's dollars when adjusted for inflation. This period saw him earn tens of millions of dollars from his playing and coaching endeavors. Maradona's tax disputes with Italian authorities, which dated back to his playing days in Napoli, also had a significant impact on his finances. In 2009, Italian officials announced that Maradona owed 37 million Euros in unpaid taxes, including 23 million Euros in interest. The outstanding debt remained largely unpaid, with police seizing some of Maradona's jewelry to settle the debt, estimated to be around 42,000 Euros. Maradona maintained that he had no intention of paying the taxes, claiming he was unfairly treated by Italian authorities. The controversy surrounding Maradona's tax dispute led to accusations of defamation, further tarnishing his reputation. Born on October 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maradona grew up in a shantytown on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by six siblings. His early life was marked by poverty, but his exceptional football skills caught the attention of a talent scout, paving the way for his professional debut at the age of 15. Maradona's rise to fame was swift, and he quickly became the sole provider for his impoverished family. His impressive performances on the national stage earned him a lucrative contract with Boca Juniors in 1981, with a transfer fee of $4 million. However, Maradona's tenure at Boca Juniors was short-lived, as he transferred to Barcelona in 1982 for a record-breaking fee of $7.6 million. Although he continued to perform well for the team, his time at Barcelona was marred by controversy, including a heated exchange with Athletic Bilbao players in 1984. This incident led to Maradona's dismissal from Barcelona, and he subsequently joined Napoli, where he broke the world record transfer fee, earning a transfer fee of approximately $10.5 million. At Napoli, Maradona reached the pinnacle of his career, leading the team to two titles, including their first-ever championship. Maradona's success on the field was also marked by controversy, including his infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. When questioned about the incident, Maradona denied using his hand to score, attributing the goal to 'the hand of God.' However, Maradona's personal life off the pitch took a rapid decline in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was forced to leave Napoli in 1992 after testing positive for cocaine and was subsequently thrown out of the 1994 World Cup for failing a drug test. Maradona's addiction to cocaine had a devastating impact on his life, with sources suggesting he was completely dependent on the substance from the mid-1980s until around 2004. His consistent use of cocaine impaired his ability to play football, contributing to his decline in health and physical fitness. During his time in Napoli, Maradona accepted the protection of a mafia crew, who supplied him with drugs and women, allowing him to move freely through the city without being mobbed by fans. His lifestyle began to spiral out of control, with him spending most of the week partying between games. Maradona's health issues continued to worsen after his retirement from football, with him becoming severely obese and weighing a total of 280 pounds at one point. He underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2005 to address his obesity. However, Maradona continued to struggle with addiction, and in 2007, he was hospitalized due to hepatitis and the adverse effects of heavy drinking. Maradona's struggles with addiction and personal issues continued, with him being hospitalized in 2018 after collapsing in the stands while watching Argentina play at the FIFA World Cup. Throughout the 1990s, Maradona faced numerous legal issues, including a charge of distribution and possession of cocaine in 1991. He was also accused of opening fire on journalists with a pellet gun from his hotel room during the 1994 World Cup, injuring several reporters. Maradona was eventually charged with a suspended sentence of two years and ten months for his actions during the 1994 World Cup.