Inside the Lavish Life of Joe Lewis, Spurs Billionaire
Joe Lewis, the former owner of Tottenham Hotspur, is a British billionaire with an estimated fortune of £5.1 billion. However, he is now making headlines for the wrong reasons after being sentenced for insider trading and conspiracy charges. Despite his legal troubles, Lewis has always been known for his private lifestyle and preference for luxury.
Born in the East End of London, Lewis grew up in a flat above a pub and left school at 15 to work in his family’s cafe. He later established several businesses in London’s West End, including restaurants such as the Northumberland Grand, the first fancy dress-themed eatery aimed at tourists. He also managed the super club called The Talk of the Town, where famous performers like Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross took to the stage.
Lewis made his first fortune when he sold his business in 1979 for an incredible £30 million. He then moved to the Bahamas as a tax exile and entered the world of currency trading. It was in September 1992, on a day known as Black Wednesday, that Lewis became a billionaire overnight. He bet against the pound crashing out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, and as it did, he made millions. He repeated this success by betting against the Mexican peso.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Lewis’ life is his luxurious lifestyle on his £195 million yacht called Aviva III. Residing primarily in the Bahamas, Lewis spends most of his time on this extravagant vessel. The yacht is equipped with a full-sized tennis court and can accommodate up to 16 people. In 2013, Lewis even welcomed the Tottenham Hotspur team on board during a trip to the Bahamas, fostering team bonding and showing his commitment to the club’s success.
Lewis also has a circle of celebrity friends. His closest companion is golf legend Tiger Woods, who has referred to Lewis as his business mentor. They often play golf together, and Lewis hosts the Tavistock Cup competition on his developments in Orlando. Lewis is also friends with golfer Ernie Els and regularly dines with him.
Aside from his love for golf, Lewis has a passion for art. His collection is worth around £1 billion and includes works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, and Miros. In 2008, Lewis made headlines with his purchase of Francis Bacon’s Triptych 1974-1977 for £26.3 million. Interestingly, Lewis keeps most of his art collection on his luxury yacht, adorning its walls with masterpieces.
On a more personal note, Lewis has been married twice. His first wife, Esther Browne, whom he met at his family’s cafe, now lives in Ireland. They have two children together. Lewis later married his former assistant Jane but does not have any children with her. Despite his success and wealth, Lewis has experienced loss in his life. He lost his father to cancer and set up a foundation in his honor to fund research. His daughter Vivienne now runs the charity.
Joe Lewis may be facing legal troubles, but his lavish lifestyle and successful career as a businessman cannot be denied. He has left an indelible mark on the world of sports, entertainment, and finance. Despite his immense wealth, those who have met him describe him as a regular guy who enjoys chatting with others and staying informed about the world around him. With his private nature and love for the finer things in life, Joe Lewis remains an enigmatic figure in the world of billionaires.