The father of the world’s wealthiest footballer, Faiq Bolkiah, was once known as the family’s extravagant spender, splurging a staggering £35 million per month. Faiq’s father is Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan of Brunei, and both are prominent figures in the affluent Brunei royal family, boasting an estimated combined wealth of approximately £15 billion.
In his youth, Faiq pursued a career in the Premier League, making stints at Leicester and Chelsea. However, his father, Jefri, had a very different lifestyle during his own younger years. His excessive spending habits encompassed lavish purchases such as luxury cars, timepieces, and even adult-oriented items.
Now 68 years old, Jefri hails from the oil-rich Bruneian royal family and embraced a life of opulence, including having five wives and reportedly fathering 17 children. His current assets include a private Boeing 747, a priceless art collection, and approximately 2000 high-end automobiles, including a custom-made Aston Martin. He also owns properties in sought-after locations like the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and Regent’s Park in London.
In 2001, thousands of Jefri’s possessions were put up for auction, including a 180-foot yacht humorously named “Tits,” along with tenders named “Nipple 1” and “Nipple 2.” These items drew significant interest from wealthy individuals seeking a piece of royal history.
One of Jefri’s most extravagant acquisitions was a commissioned statue by artist J. Seward Johnson, which depicted himself and his ex-fiancée in a risqué pose, costing a whopping £500,000. The statue gained notoriety when it was revealed after the sale of his Long Island estate, and it was one of four designs, each featuring the prince and his fiancée in various provocative poses. Additional extravagant purchases included an erotic image watch, a £5 million gold rug, and a collection of pens featuring nude women.
It’s also been reported that Jefri once had Michael Jackson on speed dial, which made a lasting impression on his seven-year-old son when the pop star wished him a happy birthday.
In contrast, Faiq pursued a quieter path than his father, despite his football dreams. He began his career with stints at Southampton, Chelsea, and Leicester before moving to Portugal with Maritimo B. In 2021, he joined Chonburi, and later in the year, he transferred to Ratchaburi in Thailand.
The 25-year-old has also had the honor of captaining the Brunei national football team, earning six caps and scoring once between 2016 and 2018.
Former Chelsea prospect Ruben Sammut, recalling their time playing together, said, “You would never ever have thought he was something like the 12th in line to the throne. We used to play against him. I think he was at Reading. We didn’t realise who he was and nobody at Chelsea initially knew what his background was.”
