10 Richest Athletes in the World and their Chosen Sports

Some of the world's most wealthy people made their fortune while enjoying their chosen sports. Among the most popular sports in the world, golf leads all other sports in creating the world's richest athlete in the person of Tiger Woods. Among the sports that produce multi millionaire athletes include basketball, boxing, baseball, car racing and football.

Here is a list of 10 richest sportsmen who made a fortune for themselves playing their favorite sports.

Tiger Woods (Golf)

Estimated Annual Income: US$100 Million

Tiger Woods (Eldrick Tont Woods) was born on December 30, 1975 in Cypress, California. He is the only son of Earl and Kultida Woods. His father was a mixed African American and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army while his mother is from Thailand.

Tiger Woods grew up in Orange County, California. He enrolled and graduated in 1994 from Western High School in Anaheim. He went to Stanford University and completed 2 years of college education. He is married to Elin Nordegren. They have a daughter named Sam Alexis Woods. The family lives in Windermere, Florida.

At a very young age, Tiger Woods became the youngest US Junior Amateur Champion and went on to win 6 times in this category. In 1996, he turned professional golfer and signed a US$40 million endorsement deal with Nike. Since then he made 89 professional and 14 major championship wins, dominating PGA and US Open.

Oscar de la Hoya (Boxing)

Estimated Annual Income: US$43 Million

Oscar de la Hoya was born in East Los Angeles on February 4, 1973 to Cecilia and Joel de la Hoya, Sr. He grew up in the same neighborhood with his brother, Joel Jr. and Sister Cecilia. Oscar has five children from 4 different women.

As an amateur boxer, his record was 224 wins against 5 losses. He is a recipient of an Olympic Gold Medal in boxing representing the United States. As a professional boxer, his record is 39 wins against 5 losses

Outside the ring, Oscar de la Hoya is into business, TV hosting, commercial modeling, among others. He owns Golden Boy Promotions, Ring Magazine, KO Magazine, Pro-Wrestling and World Boxing Magazine. He also heads a charitable a organization for the under privilege youth.

Oscar de la Hoya is scheduled to square off with Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines in a boxing match to be held at the MGM Grand on December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The match is estimated to generate over US$100 Million in pay per view receipts and other revenue sources.

Phil Mickelson (Golf)

Estimated Annual Income: US$42 Million

Phil Mickelson was born in San Diego, California on June 18, 1970.He is popularly known as the “Lefty” for his left handed swing stance. His father, Phil, Sr. was an aircraft pilot while his mother worked as a nurse and later ran an assisted living facility together with her husband. From San Diego, the family moved to Arizona where Phil spent part of his youth. He attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship where he won for the University 3 individual NCAA championship and became an outstanding college golfer. Phil graduated from the University with a degree in Psychology in 1992.

Phil got married to his college girl friend in 1996. They have 3 children He lives in Rancho Sta. Fe, California with his family.

Phil turned professional golfer in 1992 and won 34 times in the PGA Tour and 7 more in other competitions. In major championships, he won 3 including the Masters and US Open.

Kimi Raikkonen (Car Racing)

Estimated Annual Income: US$41 Million

Kimi Matias Raikkonen is a Finnish Formula One race car driver. He was born in Espoo on October 17, 1979. His father Matti was a road builder while his other brother, Rami is also a rally driver and a national junior class champion who also compete in the Formula 3 championship.

Raikkoner was into carting at an early age. His first race outside of Finland was in Monaco at the age of 15. In 998, he placed first in the Nordic championship in Norway. Kimi had a colorful amateur racing experience before he turned professional.

Kimi is married to Jenni Dahlman, a beauty queen who was the former Miss Scandinavia. They live in Switzerland.

Michael Schumacher (Car Racing)

Estimated Annual Income: US$36 Million

Michael Schumacher was born in Germany on January 3, 1969. His father Rolf was a bricklayer and he saw in Michael's a keen interest in carting. So he modified a pedal cart by adding a motorcycle engine but the young Schumacher soon crashed it into a lamppost. Soon after, his father took him to the local carting track and became the youngest member of the club. His father soon built him a real kart and soon he won his first club championship. That was the beginning of his colorful career in Formula One racing.