**World Snooker Champion Kyren Wilson Spends Entire £500,000 Prize on Dream Purchase**
After clinching the coveted title at the 2024 World Snooker Championship, Kyren Wilson made headlines—not just for his skill at the Crucible Theatre, but for the way he chose to spend the tournament’s grand prize. The 33-year-old Englishman, who overcame Wales’ Jak Jones with an 18-14 victory in a tense final, opted to invest all of his £500,000 winnings in a single, life-changing purchase: a second home in Portugal.
While many professional athletes might treat themselves to luxury cars or designer goods, Wilson took a more practical approach, prioritising family comfort and future relaxation. The sunny climes of Portugal are now just a short flight away for the Wilson family, a fitting reward for years of dedication to snooker and a testament to how his priorities have evolved over time.
Yet, Wilson’s current affluence stands in stark contrast to his early life and career, when financial hardship was a constant concern for his family. In a candid interview, Wilson shed light on the sacrifices his parents made to support his snooker ambitions. His father battles multiple sclerosis daily, and his mother has worked on the packaging side at Weetabix for more than thirty years—a job she took for the sake of stability rather than passion. “She’s been a loyal servant to Weetabix for 30-odd years on the packaging side of things,” Wilson explained. “It’s probably not the ideal thing she wanted for her life, but she knew it’d bring stability to our family.”
The Wilsons even went so far as to re-mortgage their home to ensure young Kyren could chase his dream, a gesture he says he will never forget. Now, as a father himself, Wilson admits to “spoiling” his children but is careful to remind them that such comforts were once unimaginable. “Everything seems like a bonus because you never had anything,” he reflected. “I think that’s been a key part of my success. I went in very hungry and humble. That’s kept me down to earth and made me appreciate the value of money.”
Since his World Championship success, Wilson’s professional earnings have exceeded £3 million. He added nearly another £1 million throughout the 2024-2025 season, cementing his place among snooker’s elite both in terms of skill and financial reward. Nevertheless, the humble beginnings remain fresh in his memory. “We basically couldn’t afford a hotel,” he shared. “If the tournament was somewhere where there was no other way but staying overnight, my mum used to bring a little grill so we could make bacon sandwiches in the morning because we couldn’t afford the hotel breakfast.”
Wilson’s ability to treat his family now stands as an emotional full circle from his role as a determined prodigy navigating snooker’s lower rungs. His recent World Championship, however, proved bittersweet as he suffered an early exit in this year’s tournament, conceding a close 10-9 defeat to China’s Lei Peifan while attempting to defend his crown. Emotions ran high, and Wilson did not hide his disappointment—but he remains grounded by the bigger picture.
“You can get a bit lost out there sometimes,” he admitted. “But that gave me the fire in my belly to give my family a great life. I told Sophie (his wife), ‘You bring our son up and I’ll try and bring in the earnings,’ and I’ve kicked on ever since.” Wilson acknowledges the sacrifices made for the sake of his career, including difficult periods spent away from home. “It’s been tough sometimes. I do feel like a bit of a part-time dad. You’re always in a different city, country, airplane. When I close the door I can see it breaks the kids’ hearts,” he reflected. “I’ve been begged not to go, but hopefully, when they’re adults, they’ll know it was all for this.”
In summary, Kyren Wilson’s remarkable decision to use his entire World Snooker Championship prize on a family home abroad serves not only as a reward for his sporting success but as a symbol of hope and gratitude. His journey from financial strain to stability highlights the enduring value of sacrifice, humility, and family—values that continue to define him, both on and off the green baize.