Billionaire Olympic star worth twice as much as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The Paris Olympics have officially begun, but one of the richest Olympians in recent history won't be in attendance for the show. The Games kicked off Friday night with a spectacular and equally controversial ceremony.

The race began at the Pont d'Austerlitz and ended with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. Meanwhile, 300,000 rain-soaked spectators watched 10,500 promising athletes from more than 200 countries paddle down the Seine.

Unfortunately, dressage rider Anna Kasprzak, who has a net worth surpassing even the two greatest footballers of the 21st century, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, was absent from the Danish team.

Although she was born in Germany, the 34-year-old rider has chosen to represent Denmark throughout her career. And while she is a respected figure in dressage, Kasprzak has by no means been one of the sport’s most successful competitors.

She notably competed at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, her best individual result being a 14th-place finish in Rio. She also represented her adopted country at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2013, 2015 and 2017 European Dressage Championships, winning a silver medal at the latter.

It’s safe to say that Kasprzak hasn’t exactly made waves in the world of sport. But how did she manage to amass her extraordinary fortune of $1.3 billion (£1.01 billion)?

Anna's mother, Hanni, is the owner and CEO of Danish shoe brand ECCO, a company founded by her late grandfather in 1963. Anna and her brother André both sit on the supervisory board, enjoying the financial benefits of the company's success.

ECCO products are sold in 90 countries around the world, in more than 2,200 stores, and the brand also has a significant online presence. Kasprzak also runs a private dressage stable in Haderslev, Denmark, for a little extra income – though she doesn’t need it.

To give you an idea of ​​his wealth, Kasprzak's net worth as of 2024 is more than that of football superstars Messi and Ronaldo combined. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and recent Copa America champion, has a net worth of around $650 million (£505 million). His long-time rival Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, is estimated to be worth over £500 million.

Messi's move to David Beckham's team Inter Miami in July 2023 secured him third place on Forbes' list of highest-earning athletes for 2024. The 37-year-old Argentine earned £50 million from his on-field exploits alone, supplemented by a further £54 million from endorsement deals and other off-field cash.

Ronaldo has also amassed a fortune during his glittering career, with his wealth bolstered by numerous endorsements including a lifetime partnership with Nike, as well as deals with Herbalife, Tag Heuer and Clear Haircare. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner saw his earnings increase significantly when he signed a £172 million-a-year contract with Al-Nassr for two-and-a-half years in January 2023.

The deal has propelled the 39-year-old Portugal captain to become the highest-paid player in football history. While he still lags far behind Kasprzak, he is quickly closing the gap as he becomes the world's highest-paid athlete in 2024, earning a staggering £202m in just one year.