Mike Ashley

In 1988, Michael Ashley married Linda Jerlmyr. She was a Swedish born economics graduate. They had three children: Matilda, Anna and Oliver.

Their marriage ended in 2003. It is believed that Ashley handed over assets worth fifty million pounds as divorce settlement. It included their sixteen bedroom family home.

Ashley is an extremely private person and so not much is known about his personal life. However, he now lives in Hertfordshire and his home is hidden behind rows of tress.

Michael Ashley was born on 9 September 1964, in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England. Nothing is known about is parents; however, it is certain that he came from a humble background. He attended Burnham Grammar School and graduated from there in 1980 at the age of 16. After passing from school, he started playing squash at the county level. An injury put an end to his sporting career; but it could not severe his association with squash.

Michael started coaching students and very soon became a county level squash coach. However, that too was short-lived. The businessman in him led him to a different direction.

Michael Ashley launched his first shop in 1982 in Maidenhead, an affluent town in Berkshire. He was then only eighteen years old. He named it Mike Ashley Sports and traded under low margin.

By 1984, Michael had earned enough profit to enable him to expand. He then opened Preston Sports Store in London by using private money. It was also a successful venture and earned him good margin.

Buoyed by its success, he opened several other stores in and around London. By 1992, the company had twelve stores, each of which was funded by private money. The chain was named Sports and Ski.

Between 1995 and 1996, Mike renamed the chain as Sports Soccer. By the end of 1990s, the brand had around fifty stores across the country. He also acquired a property measuring around 100,000 sq feet in Dunstable, a market town in Bedfordshire. The company head office was relocated to this newly acquired property.

Initially, the company was a proprietorship firm owned and run solely by Ashley. He was so far in control of every aspect of its running. In 1999, he turned it into a limited liability company, but continued to be at the helm of the business. He also rebranded his company as Sports Direct International plc

Although Sport Direct is now a public traded company, Michael Ashley continues to hold majority stake (61.7%) in it. He primarily made his money by buying brands; Donnay being the first major brands to be acquired by him. Later he acquired other brands like Dunlop Slazenger, Everlast, Karrimor, Kangol, Lonsdale, Firetrap etc.

in 2007, Michal bought Newcastle United Football Club by paying out a hefty sum of £134 million. He also acquired 8.9% stake in Rangers Football Club, located at Glasgow.