Gary Winston Lineker was born on 30 November 1960 in Leicester, England. The son of Margaret and Barry Lineker, he grew up helping on his family’s fruit and veg stall in Leicester Market. His middle name, Winston, honors Winston Churchill—coinciding with that same birthday. Standing 5′10″ (1.77 m), he wasn’t the biggest footballer, but he had a giant impact on the pitch.
He attended Caldecote Road School and the City of Leicester Boys’ Grammar School. Interestingly, as a teen he was a talented cricketer, captaining Leicestershire schools—though he ultimately chose football. One teacher cautioned he’d “never make a living at that,” but he proved them spectacularly wrong.
A Prodigious Football Career Across Four Nations
Gary Lineker turned professional with Leicester City in 1978, debuting in January 1979. Over seven seasons, he made 194 appearances, netting 95 goals, and twice became the club’s top scorer.
A £800,000 move to Everton in 1985 shattered expectations. In just one season, he scored 30 league goals in 41 games, finishing as First Division top scorer and delivering three hat‑tricks.
He then joined Barcelona in 1986 for £2.8 million, under Terry Venables. In Spain, he scored 42 goals in 103 La Liga appearances, becoming the highest‑scoring Brit in La Liga history—later surpassed by Gareth Bale.
A return to England came in 1989 with Tottenham Hotspur. Over three seasons he scored 67 goals in 105 league matches, again finishing as top scorer and winning the 1991 FA Cup, his first major trophy.
He wrapped up his playing career in Japan with Nagoya Grampus from 1992 to 1994, retiring in September 1994.
England Striker Golden Boot and Fair Play
Lineker earned 80 caps for England, scoring 48 goals, ranking him fourth all‑time behind Kane, Rooney, and Charlton. In the 1986 World Cup, he won the Golden Boot with six goals—earning runner‑up for the Ballon d’Or that year.
He matched England’s record for goals in World Cups—ten—and notably never received a booking, earning FIFA’s Fair Play Award in 1990.
Transition to Media From Captain to Commentator
Retiring in 1994, Gary Lineker seamlessly moved into media. By 1995 he was a team captain on “They Think It’s All Over” (until 2003), and lent his voice to CBeebies and commercials.
In 1999, he became the iconic face of BBC’s Match of the Day, a role he held until May 2025, making him the company’s longest‑serving football presenter . He also fronted BBC golf coverage, including the Masters and The Open.
He launched Goalhanger Films in 2014, co‑founding it with Tony Pastor. The company has produced documentaries (e.g., Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health) and his media presence expanded through Goalhanger Podcasts, which generate strong followings—including The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Politics, and The Rest Is History .
What Is Gary Lineker Net Worth?
Estimates vary slightly:
- £30 million (~$35 million), per Hello! and The Sun
- $35 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth and Finance‑Monthly
So the consensus sits around £30 million ($35 million).
BBC Salary: Top‑Earner Status
BBC financial filings from 2023/24 reveal Gary Lineker Net Worth earned £1.3–1.35 million per year, making him the highest‑paid BBC star for seven consecutive years.
Earnings Beyond the BBC
His income streams are diversified:
- Walkers Crisps: long‑standing brand deal (since 1994), reportedly earning £1 million/year, with salt & vinegar flavour even renamed “Salt & Lineker” at one point.
- Vision Express: sells his branded eyewear lines.
- TM Lewin and Next: fashion collaborations.
- Podcast revenue: The Rest Is Football reportedly earned £125,000 during Euro 2024.
Goalhanger has also sold documentaries to Amazon and could soon partner with Netflix—potentially doubling his £30 million fortune.
Investments & Property Portfolio
Gary Lineker has invested smartly:
- A £4 million house in Barnes, Southwest London, with gym and cinema.
- A car collection exceeding £300,000, including Jaguar F‑Pace, Mercedes SL550, BMW 650i convertible, Range Rover Sport, Jaguar XJ, and formerly a Mini Cooper Turbo.
- An insurance start‑up, Ticker—aimed at lowering premiums for young drivers, backed by Mark Blundell.
These add both lifestyle value and diversification to his net worth.
Family Life & Personal Tidbits
Lineker married Michelle Cockayne in 1986, and they had four sons. They divorced in 2006, citing stress but maintaining an amicable relationship. Their eldest child survived a rare form of leukemia in infancy, inspiring Gary’s active support for children’s cancer charities like CLIC Sargent.
In 2021 he married Danielle Bux, a Welsh model and TV personality, though some profiles note her without citation—it’s widely reported.
He’s also a keen amateur golfer, holding a handicap of around 4, and in 2023 became a Visiting Fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
Social Media & Public Persona
With over millions of followers on Twitter and Instagram, Gary uses these platforms to speak candidlyoften stirring controversy, especially when addressing asylum policy or Brexit. In March 2023, he criticized UK government refugee policy and was briefly suspended from Match of the Day .
In mid‑May 2025, he shared a post including a rat illustration, which led to accusations of antisemitism. Although he apologized and stepped down from the BBC, he continues his work through Goalhanger, focusing on podcasts and production .
Final Show & Transition to Independence
His last MOTD episode aired on 25 May 2025, after which he handed over hosting duties to Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates. He’ll still cover the 2026 FA Cup and World Cup, but no longer front BBC sports broadcasts.
Leaving the BBC means he relinquishes about £800,000/year, but with extensive alternative income, he’s financially secure
Why His Empire Matters
Gary Lineker’s transition from sports icon to media entrepreneur signals a modern blueprint: building Goalhanger as his creative hub—with podcasts, films, and strategic brand partnerships—positions him for exponential wealth growth. Experts predict he may soon land multi‑million pound deals with platforms like Netflix.
Summary Table
| Key Metrics | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 64 (born 30 Nov 1960) |
| Height | 5′10″ (1.77 m) |
| Net Worth | £30 million (~$35 million) |
| BBC Salary | £1.3–1.35 million annually |
| Brand Income | Walkers (~£1 million/yr), Vision Express, TM Lewin, Next |
| Podcast Revenue | At least £125k from Euro 2024 alone |
| Investments | £4m home, £300k+ car collection, Ticker insurance start‑up |
| Football Career | 461 club caps, 283 goals; 80 England caps, 48 goals |
| Major Honors | 1986 Golden Boot, 1991 FA Cup, FIFA Fair Play Award, Ballon d’Or runner‑up |
| Media Ventures | Goalhanger Films and Podcasts, TV and documentary deals |
In Conclusion
Gary Lineker’s journey is a masterclass in transformation. From humble Leicester beginnings to global sports legend, then into a media mogul and investor, he built not just wealth, but a legacy. His £30 million net worth is testament to decades of excellence—on the pitch, behind the mic, and beyond.
Now, as he steps away from BBC duties, his entrepreneurial spirit and production talents position him to thrive. With Goalhanger’s films and podcasts gaining streaming momentum, expect his influence—and income—to continue growing in this next chapter.
