Who is Rio Ferdinand? Inside the life of the legendary Man Utd centre-back turned pro podcaster

Rio Ferdinand is a retired English professional footballer who played as a central defender predominantly for Manchester United.

Ferdinand is an undisputed Manchester United legend. He enjoyed a fantastic career with the Red Devils. During his playing career, Ferdinand represented several Premier League clubs including West Ham United, Leeds United, and Queens Park Rangers. However, it was with the mighty Reds that he achieved the most success.

Ferdinand dominated in the Sir Alex Ferguson era, winning six Premier League titles, two Football League Cups, one Champions League title, and a plethora of other trophies. He was also a key player for the England national team, earning 81 caps and representing his country.

Following his retirement, Ferdinand is now involved in the media space. He has worked as a football pundit for television networks, such as BT Sport and BBC Sport, has also been involved in philanthropic activities and delved into the world of podcasting.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand Profile

How old is Rio Ferdinand?

Ferdinand was born on November 7th 1978. He is currently 46 years old.

Rio Ferdinand height

Ferdinand’s height is approximately 6 feet 2 inches or 1.88 meters.

Rio Ferdinand number

Ferdinand wore the number 5 jersey during his time at Manchester United.

Rio Ferdinand net worth

Ferdinand has a net worth of 59.2 million ($75 million), as per The Richest.

Rio Ferdinand wife

Rio Ferdinand’s wife is called Kate Ferdinand. The former England footballer tied the knot with the reality TV star back in 2019.

She was born on June 3, 1991, in Essex. She rose to fame on the reality TV show, The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE).

The former footballer was previously married to Rebecca Ellison from 2009 until her death in 2015.

Does Ferdinand have children?

Kate is stepmother to Rio’s three children conceived with Rebecca – Lorenz, Tate and Tia. The couple also have two children together – Shea and Cree.

Rio Ferdinand family

He was born to Janice Lavender and Julian Ferdinand. Rio’s father, Julian Ferdinand, was a tailor from St. Lucia who passed away in 2012 due to cancer. His mother, Janice Lavender, played a significant role in raising him and his siblings.

Ferdinand has two brothers, Anton Ferdinand and Jeremiah Ferdinand, as well as a sister named Sian. Anton Ferdinand is also a former professional footballer, who notably played for clubs like West Ham United and Sunderland.

Is Les Ferdinand related to Rio Ferdinand?

Yes, Les Ferdinand is related to Rio Ferdinand. They are cousins.

Rio Ferdinand Foundation

The ‘Rio Ferdinand Foundation’ is a charitable organization established by Rio Ferdinand. It aims to create positive change in the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those facing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and educational barriers.

The foundation works to provide opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential through various programs focused on education, employment, and social inclusion.

Some of the initiatives supported by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation include mentorship programs, sports activities, career guidance, and educational workshops.

These programs are designed to empower young people, build their confidence, and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in life.

The ex-Manchester United man has been actively involved in the foundation’s activities, using his influence and resources to support its mission.

Rio Ferdinand Manchester restaurant

Ferdinand opened ‘Rosso’ back in 2009. For years it was one of Manchester’s trendiest spots for the rich and famous. However on September 18th 2023 – it closed its doors for good.

A Twitter post read: ‘It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our Rosso Restaurant & Bar.’

‘It wasn’t an easy decision to close this wonderful restaurant which has flourished into an icon of the Manchester restaurant and social scene. It feels like the right time to go out at the height of our popularity and look ahead to new horizons.’

Exactly why Rosso has closed, we may never know.

Rio Ferdinand Social Media

Twitter

You can find him on Twitter under the handle – @rioferdy5

Instagram

You can find him on Instagram under the handle – @rioferdy5

Does Rio Ferdinand have a podcast?

Yes. Ferdinand presents FIVE on YouTube. It is described as follows:

‘FIVE is the destination for football fans outside of the 90 minutes & brings fans closer to the beautiful game. We deliver reactive & daily talent-led football content across a range of formats.’

‘It’s the blending of football fans, pundits & players. It’s football conversations without barriers. No subject is out of bounds. We take fans behind the curtain of professional football.’