Ruud Gullit's net worth: learn about the wealth and personal life of the football legend

Ruud Gullit's net worth: learn about the wealth and personal life of the football legend

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at February 8, 2024 at 11:47 AM
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Ruud Gullit’s net worth has been a subject of curiosity for those who admire the football legend’s illustrious career both as a player and a manager. With a multifaceted journey that spans from his early days as a highly successful player to his later roles as a manager, commentator, and television personality, Gullit has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the world of football.

Ruud Gullit on stage during FIFA awards
Ruud Gullit at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020 ceremony at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on December 17, 2020. Photo: Valeriano Di Domenico (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Beyond his footballing achievements, Gullit’s ventures into media and entertainment have further contributed to his net worth. This exploration is sourced from reputable biographies, official football records, news articles, interviews, and public statements.

Profile summary

Name

Ruud Gullit

Nationality

Dutch

Date of birth

September 1, 1962

Age

61 years (as of January 2024)

Place of birth

Amsterdam, Netherlands

International career

Represented the Netherlands with 66 caps and 17 goals

Career debut

Haarlem in 1979

Clubs played for

Feyenoord Rotterdam, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, UC Sampdoria, Chelsea FC

Achievements

Ballon d’Or winner, Footballer of the Year, European champion, European Champion Clubs’ Cup winner, Italian champion

Managerial career

Chelsea FC, Newcastle United, LA Galaxy, Oranje

Marital status

Married three times

Wives

Yvonne de Vries, Estelle Cruyff, and Karin de Rooij

Net worth

$12 million

Social media

X (Twitter), Instagram

How old is Ruud Gullit?

Ruud Gullit (61 years of age as of January 2024) was born on 1 September 1962 in Amsterdam and is the son of the Surinamese George Gullit and Ria Dil, who is Dutch. Ruud was named one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's 100th anniversary celebration.

Facts about Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit of AC Milan in action during 1991-92 Serie A, Italy. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

How much is Ruud Gullit’s net worth?

As per Celebrity Net Worth, Ruud Gullit's worth is estimated to be around $12 million. His financial success stems from his days as a world-class player, transitioning into a managerial role, investments, and later as a respected football pundit.

One of Gullit’s major entrepreneurial endeavours is The Gullit Academy, a football academy he founded to develop young talent. Moreover, Gullit has ventured into the fashion and lifestyle industry, associating himself with various brand endorsements and collaborations.

Controversies

In 2013, Ruud Gullit faced a significant controversy involving the Dutch tax authorities. They laid claim to nine properties and a parking spot owned by Gullit following an issue regarding insufficient income tax payment in 2010.

This step by the tax authorities was reportedly linked to the financial settlement of Gullit’s divorce. Gullit expressed his regret over the situation and stated his intention to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. One of the properties in question was the Amsterdam home of his estranged third wife, Estelle Cruijff.

Ruud Gullit’s playing career

Ruud Gullit playing for Netherlands National team
Ruud Gullit during Euro 92 match against Germany on June 18, 1992, in Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo: Neal Simpson
Source: Getty Images

Gullit honed his football skills in Rozendwarsstraat and played for Meerboys as a junior in 1970. After moving to Amsterdam Old West at ten, he played street football with Frank Rijkaard. Gullit then joined DWS, where he gained recognition in the Dutch youth team alongside Erwin Koeman, Ronald Koeman, and Wim Kieft.

HFC Haarlem (1978-1982)

Gullit began his professional career with HFC Haarlem, debuting at 16 and becoming the youngest player in Eredivisie history. Ruud Gullit’s stats at Haarlem were amazing, as he made 91 league appearances and scored 32 goals.

Feyenoord (1982-1985)

Gullit moved to Feyenoord, where he played 85 league matches and scored 31 goals. He won the league and cup double and was named Dutch Footballer of the Year. His time at Feyenoord was marked by both success and controversy, including a racial incident that deeply affected him.

PSV (1985-1987)

Transferred to PSV Eindhoven for $520,000, Gullit scored 46 goals in 68 league appearances. He won consecutive Eredivisie titles and was again named Footballer of the Year. His time at PSV raised his profile as a world-class footballer.

A.C. Milan (1987-1993)

Ruud Gullit in AC Milan
Ruud Gullit of AC Milan during the training on January 01, 1990, in Italy. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
Source: Getty Images

Ruud Gullit’s transfer to A.C. Milan for a record fee marked a significant step in his career. This tenure was marked with some of his greatest achievements since he won two European Cups and two Serie A titles with Milan and received the Ballon d’Or in 1987.

Sampdoria (1993-1995)

Gullit had a brief but impactful time at Sampdoria, winning the Coppa Italia and scoring a memorable goal against his former club Milan. Gullit was briefly re-signed by Milan in 1994 but quickly returned to Sampdoria before the culmination of the 1994–95 season.

Chelsea (1995 - 1998)

Gullit’s move to Chelsea on a free transfer marked his entry into the Premier League. He initially struggled but eventually found success in midfield, wearing jersey number 4. Gullit contributed to Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final run and enhanced the league’s global appeal.

Gullit was appointed as a player-manager, becoming the first Dutch manager in the Premier League in 1996. This was after Glenn Hoddle left Chelsea to become manager of the England national team. He officially retired as a player on July 1, 1998, after the 1997-1998 season with Chelsea.

Ruud Gullit’s managerial and media career

Ruud Gullit transitioned from a celebrated player to a pioneering manager and media personality. As Chelsea’s player manager in 1996, he led the team to their first major trophy in 26 years by winning the FA Cup in 1997, becoming the first Dutch and black manager to win a major British football trophy.

Newcastle United

In August 1998, Gullit took on the managerial role at Newcastle United. His tenure included reaching the 1999 FA Cup Final but was overshadowed by conflicts with key players, leading to his resignation early in the 1999-2000 season. Gullit then managed Feyenoord for the 2004-05 season but left without securing any trophies.

Other coaching endeavours

Gullit’s venture into Major League Soccer came in 2007 with LA Galaxy, where he struggled with the league’s unique regulations and team dynamics. His stint was short-lived, ending in 2008 amid a series of poor results.

In 2011, Gullit briefly coached Russian club Terek Grozny, departing the same year. In 2016, Ruud Gullit agreed to join the coaching staff of the Dutch national team after being asked by head coach Danny Blind to play a role, but he later left.

A shift to media

Ruud Gullit while coaching Netherlands
Ruud Gullit during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between France and the Netherlands at Stade de France on August 31, 2017 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. Photo: Jean Catuffe
Source: Getty Images

Parallel to his managerial career, Gullit also developed a significant presence in the media. He delved into music with notable success and became a familiar football commentator and analyst.

Ruud Gullit now: what is he doing?

Currently, Ruud Gullit maintains a prominent presence in the world of football, primarily through his role as a pundit and commentator. For the 2022 World Cup, Gullit worked for BeIN Sports and has continued to do so for the UEFA Champions League coverage for the 2022-23 season.

Ruud Gullit’s family

Karin de Rooij and Ruud Gullit
Karin de Rooij and Ruud Gullit on the red carpet prior to the NOS | NOC*NSF Sportgala at AFAS Live on December 21, 2022, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo: Joris Verwijst
Source: Getty Images

He has been married three times, with each marriage making headlines in the media. Gullit’s first marriage was to Yvonne de Vries, with whom he had three children. However, their marriage ended in divorce, and Gullit’s personal life took a dramatic turn when he married Estelle Cruyff in 2000.

Estelle is the niece of legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff. Together, Ruud and Estelle had two children. Their high-profile relationship garnered significant attention from the media and the public.

In a twist of fate, Gullit’s marriage to Estelle ended in 2012 when she left him for Moroccan-born world champion kickboxer Badr Hari, who was 21 years Gullit’s junior. Ruud Gullit’s son with Estelle, Maxim Gullit, is a rising football player. Gullit’s third marriage is to Karin de Rooij.

Final word

Ruud Gullit’s net worth reflects his successful career as a footballer and manager, with earnings from endorsements and media work contributing to his financial success. Despite controversies in his personal life, his accomplishments in football have solidified his position as one of the sport’s legends.

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From modest beginnings, he rose to international stardom, exemplifying talent, determination, and triumph. Duff soared to prominence while representing prestigious clubs, writing his name on the walls of football history.

Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.