Rebecca Adlington, the esteemed Team GB athlete, recently shared that her earnings have decreased amid the pandemic while discussing her post-Olympics life. Following her retirement from competitive swimming in 2013, Adlington ventured into sports commentary, reality TV appearances, and co-founded ‘Swim!’ with fellow Olympian Steve Parry, a children’s swimming program across 12 locations.
Despite her successful ventures outside of swimming that previously brought in substantial income, Adlington revealed in an interview with The Times that her financial situation has changed. She mentioned, “My earnings have significantly dropped over the past few years.” She highlighted the stability from her role as a director in the swimming business she co-owns, along with part-time revenue sources like speaking engagements, brand collaborations, and television work.
Adlington acknowledged the decline in her income compared to the pre-pandemic era, attributing it to the increased number of Olympians in the industry post-London 2012, which reduced the demand for her services. She credited the inspiration from the London Olympics for starting her business, emphasizing her preference for grassroots initiatives over coaching.
Despite the income shift, Adlington and her family reside in a five-bedroom house in Cheshire, which she considers her “dream home.” However, she humorously mentioned lacking the financial means to install a swimming pool. Her property journey began at 20 with a £150,000 new-build in Nottingham, a decision she made to stop spending money on rent.
When asked about her financial security, Adlington expressed gratitude for her family’s support and the opportunities that came after her success in the Beijing Olympics at 19. Her most lucrative project, appearing on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’, earned her around £70,000, a significant milestone in her financial journey.
Regarding her spending habits, Adlington admitted to splurging on vacations but generally preferring to save. Her most notable expenses were custom-made engagement and wedding rings, totaling £6,000, which she shared the cost of with her husband. Adlington remains humble about her financial choices, emphasizing practicality over extravagance in her purchases.