Ion Tiriac

Ion Tiriac

Romanian Tennis Player and Businessman

Current Networth - $1.2 Billion

Personal Stats

NameIon Tiriac
RoleBusinessman
IndustryBanking, Automotive, and Real Estate
Net Worth$1.2 Billion
GenderMale
NationalityRomanian
Place of BirthBrasov, Romania
MarriedNo
No. of Children3
Height6'

Table of Contents

  • About Ion Tiriac
  • Businesses Owned
  • Early Life
  • Family
  • What is Ion Tiriac’s Net Worth?
  • What Businesses Does Ion Tiriac Own?

About Ion Tiriac

Ion Tiriac is one of the most influential figures in international tennis and sports business. He is celebrated for his transformation from an accomplished athlete to a business tycoon. He is best recognised for winning the 1970 French Open men’s title with Ilie Năstase. Now, the Romanian businessman has become a dominant figure behind the scenes of the sporting world. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013, managing elite players like Boris Becker. His post-tennis ventures span into banking, insurance, real estate, and the auto industry, which allowed him a place among the world’s richest former athletes.

Beyond business, Ion remains an active supporter of sports, as he made headlines in 2024 for gifting electric vehicles to Romanian Olympic medalists. He has continued his influence and national pride even after retiring from the tournament director position. He has a remarkable legacy that bridges the gap between professional athletics and enterprise. His vast empire, built through Tiriac holdings while enduring in international sports, is equally impressive. Ion Tiriac’s business empire made him the richest tennis player and the first Romanian to be featured on the Forbes Billionaire List. The business tycoon continues to make strides in his business endeavours and remains an influential man in the industry.


Businesses Owned


Early Life

Ion Tiriac has endured significant hardship in his early life, which led him to develop his athletic talent from a young age.

  • Ion Tiriac was born in Brașov, Romania, on May 9, 1939. He belonged to a working-class family. 
  • He faced a turbulent childhood marked by hardships under communal rule during World War 2. 
  • The first sport he practiced as a child was tennis. 
  • Ion Tririac slowly transitioned to Ice hockey and represented Romania at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. 
  • Belonging to a working-class family, Ion started working at the age of 15 but continued to pursue sports as his passion. 
  • He graduated from the Institute of Physical Culture in Bucharest in 1964 and earned the title of Emeritus Sports Master.
  • He then transitioned to tennis post the 1964 Olympics, which marks the beginning of his professional tennis career. 
  • Ion's first tennis match was a victory against Abigail Maynard in 1975

Family

Ion Tiriac has a supportive presence in his family’s life and maintains close ties with his children.

  • His mother, Ecaterina Tiriac, was a homemaker who raised Ionalone after his father’s sudden demise. 
  • His father, Ioan Tiriac, worked in the textile industry before his death. 
  • He has a sister named Rodica Tiriac, and both siblings shared a modest childhood. 
  • Ion Tiriac was briefly married to Erika Braedt from 1963 to 1965, she is a professional handball player. 
  • He shared a long-term relationship with an Egyptian journalist named Sophie Ayad. They have two children together. 
  • He is the renowned father of  Ion Tiriac Jr, born on 22 September 1976. He is also a businessman and a former tennis player.
  • His two younger children are named Karim Mihai and Loana Natalie with Sophie Ayad. 
  • Ion Tiriac also has a son, Alexandru Tiriac Jr., who is around 16 years old and is described as a promising young man by him.

Ion Tiriac has built a massive fortune over the decades, transitioning from a celebrated athlete into one of Eastern Europe’s most powerful businessmen. Ion Tiriac’s tennis career is distinguished by significant achievements, like when he won the French Open Men's Doubles title alongside Ilie Năstase. Tiriac secured his only singles title at the 1970 Bavarian International Tennis Championships in Munich, followed by various other victories. Ion Tiriac's career prize money totaled an estimated $8.5 million. This includes earnings from both singles and doubles matches during his active years on the ATP tour.

One of his significant payouts is the highest singles prize, being approximately £200,000 from his run to the Wimbledon semifinals. While his on-court earnings were substantial, Tiriac's wealth today is mainly driven by his post-retirement business ventures, which include investments in banking, insurance, luxury car dealerships, and real estate. Tiriac Holdings has further cemented Ion’s place as one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world. Beyond his financial success, he is recognized for his extensive philanthropic work in Romania, contributing to sports development, education, and healthcare initiatives. His longstanding rivalry and partnership with tennis icon Ilie Năstase also shaped much of his early public image.

Net Worth$2.2 Billion
Yearly IncomeNA
ProfessionBusinessman and former athlete 
No. of BusinessesNA
No. of Sponsors (If Applicable)1
No. of Awards20+
No. of Houses2
No. of Cars10+

What is Ion Tiriac’s Net Worth?

As of April 2025, Ion Tiriac has a net worth of $2.2 billion.

Ion Tiriac, with an estimated net worth of around $2 billion, has surpassed tennis stars like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Ion Tiriac’s current estimated net worth represents a significant increase from previous years. As of April 2025, Ion Țiriac's net worth is estimated at $2.2 billion, according to Forbes. This represents a significant increase from previous years, with estimates ranging from $1.3 billion in 2023 to a 900 million jump in 2025. This year-over-year growth can be attributed to the expansion of his business ventures, particularly in the real estate and automotive sectors.

Tiriac’s wealth is mainly derived from his business empire, the Tiriac Group. The company operates in banking, insurance, automotive, and real estate. It’s known that he owns 45% of UniCredit Tiriac Bank, one of Romania's largest financial institutions. According to Forbes, he has an extensive car and bike collection with over 400 models. His vehicle selection is popularly known as the Tiriac Collection. Additionally, Tiriac Group owns various real estate projects like Stejarii Residential Club, Residenz-German Quarter, or Tiriac Tower, which add to his overall net worth


What Businesses Does Ion Tiriac Own?

The annual revenue of Tiriac Holdings stands at around $62.4 million in 2025.

  • Tiriac Holdings: Tiriac Holdings was founded in 1990 by Romanian businessman Ion Țiriac. This company is a diversified mixture operating in finance, real estate, automotive, insurance, and aviation. It is headquartered in Bucharest and includes companies like Tiriac Auto and Allianz Țiriac Insurance. As per Rocketreach, the Tiriac group had an annual revenue of $62.4 million in 2025. Its operations generate different revenue across sectors.
  • Tiriac Group: Founded by Ion Tiriac, it operates across various sectors, including automotive, real estate, financial services, air transportation, and energy. Å¢iriac Group takes part in several fields, including surveillance and protection, property management, media services, etc.

What Brands Does Ion Tiriac Endorse?

Ion Tiriac may have only a few business ventures. However, there’s no specific information regarding her brand endorsements.


Ion Tiriac’s Real Estate Portfolio

Ion Tiriac, the only Romanian billionaire in the Forbes ranking of the richest people in the world, bought a historic property in Tuscany for $ 8 million. Here’s a summary of all the real estate properties acquired by the business tycoon.

  • Tenuta Cortevecchia: In 2018, Ion Tiriac purchased the 2,250-hectare Tenuta Cortevecchia estate in Tuscany for €8 million. The property features a 13th-century villa, hunting grounds, an organic farm, and traditional houses. Once owned by Giulio Andreotti, it's now being restored for luxury tourism.
  • Stejarii Residential Club: Ion Tiriac developed the 200-hectare Stejarii Residential Club near Bucharest, featuring 285 luxury apartments and his own 2,500-square-meter penthouse. The upscale complex spans eight buildings and remains a flagship property.

Vehicles Owned By Ion Tiriac Over The Years

Ion Tiriac's most expensive car, the 300 SLR Coupe, was estimated to be worth over $100 million on display. He has over 400 models of vehicles in his collection.

  • 1965 Bentley S3: It is a notable addition to Ion’s extensive car collection. This model was previously owned by Elton John and featured in the 1973 film Theatre of Blood, There is no specific information available about its purchase online. 
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom IV: The Tiriac car collection has all the luxurious models of the Rolls-Royce Phantom series. It even includes the ultra-exclusive Phantom IV, favoured by royalty and celebrities, especially Ion Triac. 
  • DeLorean DMC-12: Ion Tiriac's 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 is a prestigious addition to his extensive car collection. The car is renowned for its gull-wing doors and stainless steel body. Tiriac's DeLorean was first publicly showcased during the Bucharest Auto Salon in November 201.  
  • Ferrari LaFerrari: Ion Tiriac acquired this car in 2013, becoming the only Romanian selected to purchase one of the 499 units produced by Ferrari. The LaFerrari is a hybrid supercar featuring a 6.3-liter V12 engine paired with a 120 kW electric motor, The car was officially registered in Romania in August 2016, marking its integration into Triac's car collection.

What's Next For Ion Tiriac?

Ion Tiriac is now in his 80s and continues to focus on expanding his legacy through significant sports contributions. He plans on investing in Romania’s sports infrastructure and fostering young talent. He successfully revived the Tiriac Open in 2024 and marked its return after 8 years. In the future, Tiriac Foundation is investing in the Olimpia Sports Base in Brașov. It aims to establish a tennis school and promote youth sports development. These initiatives reflect his commitment to nurturing future athletes and add to Romania's sports legacy.


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