The 2024 Paris Olympics is the stage for athleticism’s creme of the crop, and many of them come not just from different nations, but from all walks of life–including the upper echelon.
While hailing from affluent backgrounds, some of the heirs and heiresses of the world’s richest are competing for athletic glory, with the hopes of bagging the coveted podium finish and the priceless gold of their careers. Ahead, take a look at some of the athletes competing in this year’s edition of the Olympics who also happen to be billionaires’ next of kin.
Billionaire Heirs and Heiresses Competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics
1. Jessica Pegula
Sport: Tennis
Parent: Terrence Pegula
Parent’s net worth: $6.8 billion
The 30-year-old tennis player has been well-awarded in her field, ranking a career-high number three in singles and number one in doubles in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Jessica has done her rounds in the Australia Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon, and in 2024, she takes part in Team USA, playing singles and doubles with Coco Gauff.
Outside of tennis, the American athlete has an affluent background as the daughter of Terry Pegula, an oil and gas tycoon who also boasts a sports empire as the owner of football team Buffalo Bills and ice hockey team Buffalo Sabres. The billionaire is among the world's richest with a net worth of $6.8 billion or approximately P398 billion.
2. Emma Navarro
Sport: Tennis
Parent: Ben Navarro
Parent’s net worth: $1.5 billion
Like Jessica, Team USA’s Emma Navarro also comes from wealth. The tennis player reached her career-high ranking in singles at number 15 in the WTA, having competed in opens across the world, and now playing in singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 23-year-old athlete is the daughter of Ben Navarro, a former Citigroup vice president who founded Sherman Financial Group in 1998 and turned it into an empire. According to Forbes, the tycoon’s current net worth is $1.5 billion or around P87.9 billion.
3. Nayel Nassar
Sport: Equestrian
Father-in-law: Bill Gates
Father-in-law’s net worth: $131.9 billion
Egyptian-American Nayel Nassar married into one of the richest families in the world, as the husband of Jennifer Gates, the oldest daughter of Microsoft’s Bill Gates. An equestrian in the jumping event, the athlete competes at the 2024 Paris Olympics under the flag of Egypt, his parents’ homeland. Nayel’s wife, Jennifer, is also an equestrian. The couple owns and operates Evergate Stables, which houses and trains competing horses.
When it comes to the world’s wealthiest, Bill Gates is a household name. The Microsoft co-founder has diversified his wealth since stepping down from the company's board, and is now widely known for his philanthropic work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As of writing, the co-chair is the ninth wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of $131.9 billion or P7 trillion.
4. Karl Cook
Sport: Equestrian
Parent: Scott Cook
Parent’s net worth: $6.3 billion
The 33-year-old equestrian Karl Cook is considered the youngest member of Team USA’s Paris 2024 jumpers. In this year’s edition of the Olympics, the athlete acts as an alternate for the American team’s jumping events. Karl is also the son of Scott Cook, the co-founder of financial software company Intuit, who continues to be the chairman of the company with a 2.7% stake, totaling a net worth of $6.3 billion or P369 billion.
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