JAKARTA - Retired football referee from the Netherlands Bjorn Kuipers has a very large fortune. In fact, he is richer than boxing legend Mike Tyson.
Kuipers spent more than a decade at the peak of his profession. He is recorded as leading prestigious matches such as the European Champions League, World Cup, and events in Europe including the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy.
Apart from being one of Europe's elite referees, it turns out that Kuipers is also a businessman who owns the Jumbo store franchise, a supermarket chain that operates in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It is this line of business that makes Kuipers one of the richest referees. Reports before last year's Euro final estimated Kuipers' net worth to be in the range of £11.5 million to £12 million.
If the numbers are correct, Kuipers is far richer than former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. Recent reports say Tyson has a net worth of around £8.4 million.
This makes sense because in addition to a supermarket, Kuipers also has a hair salon which he runs with his wife, Marlies. The entrepreneurial spirit of the 49-year-old seems to have started when he studied business at university.
However, Kuipers' fortunes would have meant nothing if Iron Mike had not declared bankruptcy in 2003.
Mike has actually amassed hundreds of millions of pounds since his professional boxing debut in 1985. However, his three marriages and prison terms had a serious impact on his finances.
Media reports at the time claimed he was in debt worth £19.5m. However, lately Mike Tyson's finances are slowly starting to improve.
On the other hand, Kuipers retired from refereeing last summer. This allows her to have more time to focus on her supermarket and salon business.
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