Inside David Sullivan's life from luxury Essex mansion to complex dating life

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For decades, David Sullivan has been one of the most recognisable and controversial figures in British football.

The billionaire businessman spent more than 16 years helping to run West Ham United, overseeing some of the most significant moments in the club's modern history, including the move from Upton Park to the London Stadium and the club's historic UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2023.

But Sullivan's influence stretches far beyond football. Before becoming a Premier League owner, he built a vast fortune in publishing, property and business, transforming himself from a young entrepreneur from Cardiff into one of Britain's wealthiest self-made businessmen.

Tonight, the BBC's Panorama programme turns the spotlight on Sullivan once again. A TV listing for the episode which airs tonight has now appeared online. It says the title of the programme is 'Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss'.

Sullivan, 77, has said he "categorically" denies the claims in the joint investigation with Panorama and The Times, calling them factually incorrect. The allegations span the period when he made a fortune from *, newspapers and football.

In a statement issued over the weekend, he also criticised the BBC's "fundamentally unfair" investigation.

Here, we take a look at his life outside of football.

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David Sullivan was born in Cardiff on February 5, 1949.

His father served in the Royal Air Force and the family later moved to Essex, where Sullivan spent much of his childhood. Sullivan did not inherit a fortune or family empire. Instead, he built his wealth from scratch.

After studying Economics at Queen Mary College in London, he became an advertising executive. His entrepreneurial instincts would soon lead him into an industry that would define the first chapter of his career.

Sullivan made his first significant fortune through publishing.

During the 1970s and 1980s he became one of the UK's most successful publishers of adult magazines and videos, building a business that generated millions of pounds in revenue.

By the time he reached middle age, he had become one of the wealthiest figures in British publishing. But his ambitions soon expanded beyond adult entertainment.

In 1986, Sullivan purchased the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers. The titles became famous for their sensational headlines, celebrity stories and unconventional style.

The newspaper venture further increased Sullivan's wealth and profile, helping establish him as one of Britain's most successful self-made businessmen.

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Over the years, Sullivan has assembled an extensive portfolio of commercial and residential assets through his company interests, including prime locations in London.

According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List , Sullivan is worth £1.118 billion, placing him among the richest figures to have owned a Premier League football club.

His home is Birch Hall, a substantial estate near Theydon Bois in Essex, is thought to be worth millions. Set within extensive grounds, the property has long been regarded as one of the most notable private residences associated with a Premier League owner.

The estate contains 14 bedrooms, a bowling alley, two swimming pools, and a dining room that seats 24 guests, with grounds overlooking Epping Forest.

He also has a London residence, the Portland Place Mansion spread over 21,000 square foot. The 18th-century Georgian-style townhouse is located in affluent Marylebone.

It's said to feature a 12.7-meter indoor swimming pool, spa, cinema room, wine cellar, gym, and commercial chef's kitchen.

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Sullivan is a father to two sons, Jack and David Sullivan Jr.

His eldest son, Jack Sullivan, has become particularly well known among West Ham supporters due to his involvement with the football club.

Over the years Jack has held a number of roles connected to West Ham's leadership structure and has frequently represented the ownership group in public-facing matters.

The close relationship between Sullivan and his sons has often been evident throughout his football career, with family involvement playing a significant role in the club's ownership model.

Sullivan's former partner is Emma Benton-Hughes, who was previously known professionally as Eve Vorley. The couple split after 25 years in 2021 and he struck up a relationship with The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Ampika Pickston, 44.

David, who is 33 years her senior, proposed that same year, but the couple are yet to get married. Ampika said in an episode of The Real Housewives of Cheshire: "[The wedding is] going to be a very quiet, discreet affair in London. David doesn't want a circus or paparazzi. He just wants to enjoy the day with no pressure. It's about that symbolic moment of two people coming together to show their love."

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Throughout his football career, Sullivan has rarely been far from controversy.

Supporters have frequently questioned transfer policies, recruitment decisions and the overall direction of the club.

Protests against the ownership became a recurring feature during several seasons, particularly following the move to the London Stadium.

Yet even many critics acknowledge the scale of West Ham's growth during Sullivan's tenure.

When he arrived in 2010, the club was battling financial uncertainty and relegation concerns. By the mid-2020s, West Ham had become an established Premier League side capable of competing in Europe on a regular basis.

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Sullivan stepped down from his position as joint chairman of West Ham on June 6. In a statement he said: "After very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as joint-chair and director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.

"This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward."

He said he was doing so to fight what he said were false allegations about his conduct. He added: "After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me."

He went on to say: "I believe the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality. The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media.