THEY have been referred to as the “normal” royals and don’t get a penny from the palace purse.
Now the lives of Mike and Zara Tindall will captivate the masses as the former England rugby star prepares for this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
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The 43-year-old father of three, who married the king’s niece in 2011, has agreed to be the first member of the royal family to defy the ITV show.
At the same time, Zara, 41, has been working hard to model for sailing and outdoor clothing brand Musto in a moody autumnal photoshoot.
It’s the latest in a series of smart money-making ventures that have seen the couple drive tractors, sell a stunning mansion and even launch a high-end gin.
Here we reveal how the Tindalls earned their incredible homemade fortune.
Frugal beginnings
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Mike probably learned a lot about the world of work during his teenage years when he had a job at a local chippy where he was “paid by the number of fish sold”.
While describing it as the worst job he’s had, he admitted that there were “no real disasters,” aside from “northern bullies complaining about portion sizes.”
Despite being worth £15.7million and the fourth richest rugby player according to a 2020 report by Ruck magazine, the frugal star admits he’s “always worried about money”.
“I am very conscious with money and only spend what I have. It was always like that when I started playing professional rugby,” he told the Times.
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After dinner talk
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A respected sportsman with a 17-year rugby career and the 2003 World Cup under his belt, Mike remains a must-have speaker for fancy gourmet events.
His fees are currently listed at under £10,000 with the Gordon Poole Agency, which brokers some of his arrangements.
Mike has also enjoyed appearances as a brand ambassador for, among others, online stockbroker UFXMarkets and bookmaker Betway.
However, things didn’t always go to plan – he and Zara were criticized for promoting VST Enterprises, a Covid-19 immunity tracking app for athletes, in 2020.
In addition to their paid work, Mike and Zara are regularly involved in charitable causes, including Sports Relief, Parkinson’s organizations and other humanitarian businesses.
Zara’s brand strength
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Experts believe Zara rakes in around £1.1million a year for its brand deals and ambassadorial work.
It has longstanding deals with Land Rover, Rolex and investment firm Artemis, but has also branched out into other areas.
These include an equestrian-themed jewelery collection with Australian company Calleija in 2015, with items ranging in price from £3,500 to £223,000.
Zara worked with iCandy Prams, a horse video game called Howrse and clothing brand Musto, which she recently wore.
Previously she had other businesses in John Deere tractors, an ambassador role at Samsung and worked as a golf academy ‘cadet’ for Slingsby Gin.
But not all deals have garnered positive attention.
She has been criticized for being with the Global Group of Companies – owned by Hong Kong tycoon Dr.
Six-figure reality TV total
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I’m A Celeb isn’t Mike’s only foray into showbiz. He famously drank his own urine on Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and was also featured on Channel 4’s The Jump.
He has also made television appearances playing poker with other celebrities and pros including Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club and All-Star Poker Challenge.
Mike received £25,000 for winning the latter show, which he donated to Parkinson’s UK – a charity close to his heart after his father was diagnosed with the disease 20 years ago.
While his current deal with I’m A Celeb hasn’t been made public, it’s estimated to be in the six figures.
In addition to television work, Mike – like many other celebrities – moved into the world of podcasting.
He has appeared on two podcasts including The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, which he co-hosts with former England team-mate James Haskill and presenter Alex Payne.
lucky investments
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Away from the public eye, Mike has registered five companies under his name, covering online stock trading, the gin market and his broadcast work.
In 2010 he and his friend Michael Scudamore bought the racehorse Monbeg Dude drunk at a charity auction for £12,000.
Zara branded him an “idiot” for buying a stake in the animal because he had no idea about horses or racing.
Three years later, after a string of victories – including the Welsh Grand National – Monbeg Dude was valued at £200,000.
Mike even earned a whopping £105,500 after the horse finished third at the 2015 Grand National despite being an outsider at 40-1 odds.
Along with co-stars from the podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, he launched a gin brand Black Eye this year, selling signed bottles at £60 and unsigned bottles at £40.
plush properties
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Aside from their earnings, the couple also owned a number of properties that helped accumulate a fortune. £500
In 2014, the Daily Mail reported that they had made a profit of £500,000 on the sale of their five-bedroom house in Cheltenham, which they had moved into five years earlier, for £1.27million.
The publication also reported that Mike owned two three-bedroom apartments – one was in the center of Bath in a Georgian house and was worth £400,000.
The other in Dubai was worth £300,000 but the price should double by 2020.
Mike reportedly used to rent out both properties, but it’s unclear if he still owns them.
How they spend their money
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Little is known about how the Tindalls spend their money aside from dressing up at public events.
The couple are notoriously private about their home and have only revealed certain rooms while being interviewed via video link for TV shows.
In 2018, they submitted plans to add a sunroom to their home, part of a two-story extension to create an open-plan kitchen and dining room, downstairs toilet, and utility room.
The only thing they’ve been known to spend massively on is gadgets, which Mike is obsessed with.
He said: “I like TVs, sound systems and a nice cinema room where everything is wired properly. We always upgrade quickly with tablets and smartphones.”
Though he makes a good fortune, Mike remains frugal and has been open about his concerns that his paid gigs will one day dry up.
He told The Times: “I’ve been very lucky…but sponsorships won’t last forever.
“You have to plan… [for] what to expect in terms of school bills and fees to be paid.
While Mike seemed cautious, he seemed hopeful when it came to figuring out how he might make a living over the years.
He said: “Zara and I have always been good at managing what’s right for us.”
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