Gareth Bale: Post-Football Life, Business Ventures and Family
Gareth Bale, the celebrated Welsh footballer, is set to make a return to the world of sports punditry as he joins TNT Sports’ coverage of the Europa League final in Bilbao. More than two years since drawing the curtain on a storied football career, the 35-year-old finds himself in the company of other notable names, such as Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle, Robbie Savage, and Paul Scholes, to offer insights for the highly anticipated clash between Manchester United and his former club, Tottenham Hotspur.
Bale’s retirement at just 33 left fans reflecting on a remarkable journey. Racking up 18 trophies across club and international football, he is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest sporting exports of the modern era. For Wales, he became a national hero, amassing 111 international appearances and scoring a record 41 goals, while leading his nation to historic major tournament appearances, highlighted by the 2022 FIFA World Cup—which marked Wales’ return to the competition after a 64-year absence.
A product of Southampton’s youth system, Bale’s early promise blossomed at Tottenham Hotspur before his sensational £85 million transfer to Real Madrid in 2013, a then world-record fee. In Madrid, he achieved extraordinary feats, including five Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles, cementing his legacy among the European elite. After a final stint with Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, where he lifted the MLS Cup, Bale opted for retirement.
Despite stepping away from active play, Bale has maintained his superstar profile. Social media followers are treated to glimpses of his glamorous lifestyle—frequent holidays, high-profile events and, unsurprisingly for those familiar with his passions, plenty of golf at world-class venues. His affinity for the sport has even led him to invest in golf-related business ventures, including a share in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL golf league, and an ambassadorial role for Steph Curry’s Underrated Golf European Tour.
Financially, Bale’s fortunes remain prodigious. During his Real Madrid days, his weekly earnings were reported at a staggering £600,000. He has since channelled his entrepreneurial spirit into a series of ventures, such as the ‘Elevens’ sports bar and the mini-golf themed ‘Par 59’ in Cardiff and Bristol. In a nod to his Welsh heritage, he invested heavily in Penderyn Distillery, and his portfolio has been further bolstered by endorsement deals with Adidas, Playstation, and BMW. Estimates of his wealth vary, with some sources suggesting a net worth as high as £115 million, though he was notably absent from the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List’s 40 Under 40.
Away from the business and sporting limelight, Bale’s personal life has also garnered attention. He married his childhood sweetheart, Emma Rhys-Jones, a former hairdresser, in an intimate ceremony on the Spanish island of Tagomago in 2019. The couple, who first met during their school years at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, have four children: Alba, Nava, Axel and Xander. Despite the glamour that often surrounds high-profile couples, their wedding was a private affair, apparently attended by just 60 guests who were only informed of the venue location hours before and required to surrender their phones to ensure complete privacy.
The couple’s journey has not been without challenges. Reports suggest they postponed their nuptials in response to difficult family events affecting Emma’s side, including the imprisonment of her father and the passing of her brother-in-law. The Bale family remains close-knit, with further sporting connections—Emma’s sister is married to Welsh rugby star Taulupe Faletau.
Over the years, Bale’s image has evolved noticeably. Once regarded as a modest, slender youth at Southampton, he transformed into one of football’s most recognisable athletes. His muscular build fuelled social media discussion, and he maintains his athletic figure to this day, as seen in recent beach photographs. Bale’s physical transformation also reportedly includes cosmetic surgery; he was rumoured to have had his ears pinned back early in his career, countering childhood ridicule and shaping his self-confidence further.
On the domestic front, Bale’s post-football life is rooted in Wales, where he owns a £4 million mansion in the Vale of Glamorgan, complete with a custom-built three-hole golf course featuring replicas of iconic holes from around the world. The footballer’s love for golf is so profound that, according to Rory McIlroy, who has played alongside him, Bale has potential to become a scratch golfer should he dedicate himself fully—a testament to his multi-sport prowess.
In summary, Gareth Bale’s journey since football retirement reflects the hallmarks of a modern sporting icon. He remains deeply connected to his passions, family and homeland, while also carving out a distinctive presence in business and broadcasting. All signs point to a post-sporting chapter as dynamic and compelling as his greatest moments on the pitch.