Cover photo: WSL/Cestari

Three-time world champion Mick Fanning's fortune amounts to 13 million dollars, according to the financial publication The CEO Magazine, in an article published after an interview with the surfer conducted after his participation in the World Congress of Entrepreneurs, which took place in Melbourne between September 19 and 22.

According to the details, in his eight years since his retirement, this money was earned thanks to his investments in the Balter beer brand, real estate, his soft tops brand, algae supplement for livestock, sustainable dog food and a pilates studio.

Fanning is also known to be a shareholder in some of the brands that sponsor him, such as the accessories brand called Creatures.

The sale of Balter alone, for 128 million, earned Fanning 2,5 million in net profits, the publication notes.

For Fanning, who is widely known as one of the most intelligent, prestigious and sought-after professionals by brands, the hard work of being an athlete is a great school for later becoming an entrepreneur.

Another secret Fanning shared for his success is that he does not invest in things he does not know and therefore, all his assets are in businesses that he knows how they work and are consumed.

Passionate about business, or making money, but still loving surfing more than anything, he told the publication that what he wants to do in the next 20 years is go on as many family surf trips as he can and work as little as possible.

However, Fanning's fortune is tiny compared to other retired athletes. This is the top 10 according to the publication:

1. Michael Jordan (basketball): net worth US$2.6 billion

2. Vince McMahon (wrestling): US$1.6 billion

3. Ion Țiriac (Tennis and Ice Hockey): US$1.2 billion

4. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (wrestling): US$800 million

5. Earvin 'Magic' Johnson (basketball): US$620 million

6. Junior Bridgeman (basketball): US$600 million

7. Michael Schumacher (Formula One): US$600 million

8. Roger Staubach (NFL): US$600 million

9. Roger Federer (Tennis): US$550 million

10. David Beckham (soccer): US$450 million