HE’S the snooker sharpshooter who’s famend for his love of the less complicated issues in life.
Regardless of being the world No1 and value a whopping £14million, Ronnie ‘the Rocket’ O’Sullivan hasn’t let wealth or fame go to his head.
After a scrappy 6-3 victory in opposition to Barry Hawkins within the Masters quarter-final final evening, he revealed he wasn’t going to rejoice with an upmarket meal.
“I fancy a curry – a large, soiled curry,” seven-time world champion Ronnie stated. “There’s nothing prefer it.”
The 48-year-old is famend for having modest tastes together with a love of canal boats and a desire for “on a regular basis vehicles” reasonably than flashy supercars.
Right here we reveal a number of the shocking methods Ronnie has spent a few of his £14million fortune.
Excessive road splurges
In his youthful years, Ronnie was a famend occasion animal who usually was noticed on nights out with Oasis’ Liam Gallagher and Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wooden.
He’s now sober however throughout a stint the place he nonetheless drank, the sportsman admitted he would permit himself an occasional second to “blast it” – which means a several-day consuming binge.
In 2013, Ronnie advised the Monetary Occasions: “If there’s twelve months within the yr I permit myself the odd binge. That may final sooner or later, two days, three days, and I simply get it out my system.”
These days he spends extra time specializing in maintaining match – however he nonetheless makes a couple of odd purchases, together with spending sprees earlier than large matches.
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Forward of his World Championship ultimate victory over Judd Trump in 2022, the star revealed he had gone procuring in Sheffield metropolis centre.
In an interview with retired snooker skilled Alan McManus, it was revealed he was “shopping for some lingerie” a mere “90 minutes earlier than kickoff”.
Ronnie revealed he additionally bought operating shoelaces and “will need to have purchased about 15 pairs”. He described the Excessive Avenue splurge as a “little deal with for myself to get out [of] the resort”.
He added: “If I had an hour spare – reasonably than sit within the room, stewing pondering I’ve obtained two hours to go – simply go right down to the operating store, purchase these units of laces.
“I purchased a great deal of pairs. I used to be simply shopping for them as presents for individuals. So those that I knew who would admire it.
“One other factor was the underpants. I discovered these new underpants. I purchased a couple of of those pairs and had run out so I assumed I would higher go and get some extra.
“It was a possibility for me to get out and deal with myself to one thing – make myself really feel good. One thing regular to move the time.”
£129k boat
Ronnie lives in a sprawling mansion in Chigwell, Essex, however wasn’t all the time so eager to stay on dry land.
In 2007, he owned a barge named Double Kiss – additionally the identify of his 2017 novel – and located it to be an ideal escape.
Ronnie advised Eurosport: “I lived on a ship about seven or eight years, I had it in London and I liked it.
“I had three or 4 months residing on it however I couldn’t use it as a result of I needed to get again to work and stuff however I all the time had it in my thoughts that sooner or later I’d purchase one other one.
“I couldn’t sit in a resort for 3 or 4 hours however I’d come right here have a bit kip put the snooker on, put my TV on, a couple of pals are available. You don’t really feel such as you’re cooped up a lot.”
By 2018, Ronnie owned a luxurious 60ft canal boat, named Morfe Woman Three, which had a spacious lounge, a comfy hearth and a contemporary kitchen.
He selected to promote the vessel, which was moored in London’s Regent’s Canal, only a yr later – it was listed for £129,950.
On the time, The Night Customary claimed he had not spent a full evening aboard the boat as a result of his busy work schedule.
Regardless of the claims, Ronnie maintains his love of being on the water. In 2022, he revealed plans to spend a few of his £500,000 Crucible winnings on a inflexible inflatable boat.
He stated: “I would go to the Lake District, I’ve already obtained like a home boat up there however I would go and purchase a bit RIB (inflexible inflatable boat) and discover the lake and simply have some enjoyable.”
Except for boats, Ronnie is understood to have a property firm and was tempted to develop into a developer after being impressed by a well-liked house renovation present.
In 2013, he stated: “I really like Houses Underneath The Hammer, I get excited by it. I used to go round with a mate and we used to purchase numerous stuff, so I’ve obtained a tough concept about it.”
Ronnie revealed he had been to a few property auctions however “by no means purchased at one”.
Except for having a property firm, the sportsman opened up The Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Store, in Sheffield’s Meadowhall procuring centre, again in 2021, the place he sells signed memorabilia together with a snooker cue for £395.
He additionally opened The Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Academy in Singapore, China.
‘On a regular basis vehicles’
From Ferraris to Aston Martins and Porsches, Ronnie has owned a number of flashy motors over time – however insists he prefers “on a regular basis vehicles”.
They embrace his household saloon, an Audi RS4 Avant, which he purchased for £57,000 and described as “the b*****ks” and “lovely”.
He stated: “I’ve all the time appreciated on a regular basis vehicles… Give me an RS4 for every single day and a 911 for a little bit of enjoyable and I’m carried out, mate. I’m buzzing.
“But when I needed to have one automobile, I’d go for the RS4 Avant as a result of I nonetheless get that thrill.”
Beforehand, Ronnie owned a £183,000 Ferrari 458 however returned it as a result of he “couldn’t stand the eye” he obtained whereas driving round.
He was equally unimpressed with an Aston Martin DB8, which price £130,000 – a car famously utilized by Daniel Craig in James Bond movies.
“That was a bag of s***. I gained’t purchase one other considered one of them,” Ronnie stated. “The radio button fell off in my hand. Went to get the door deal with and that got here off.”
In his earlier years, Ronnie owned a couple of BMWs when he used to “tear round” the streets and was “a menace on the street”.
He stated: “I used to be a lunatic. I went by way of three Beamers within the area of 9 months. Nevertheless it’s no good… I’m way more educated now. I’ve calmed down.”
There was additionally a BMW M5 in his assortment, which price round £110,000, however Ronnie wasn’t eager.
He stated: “Obtained shot of that. Didn’t like that. Improbable engine however it drives like a ship. I hated the scale of it.”
The one flashy motor Ronnie appeared to be impressed by was a Porsche 911 that price round £97,000. He described it as “unbelievable”.
Different vehicles he’s owned included a £180,000 Bentley Continental GT, an £82,000 BMW M3, a £74,000 Mercedes 500SL and a £131,000 Audi R8 that he “liked” regardless of crashing it.
Ronnie additionally as soon as splurged £2,500 on the personalised licence plate CUE BOY – CUE 130Y from Jimmy White earlier than promoting it again to him.
He recalled: “I had it on for about two weeks. I didn’t like the eye. Everybody knew the place I used to be the evening earlier than. So I stated to Jim, ‘You’ll be able to have that again, mate.’”
‘Impulsive breaks’
Ronnie is understood to go on “impulsive lengthy weekends away” with long-term companion Laila Rouass together with journeys to Cambridge, Bruges and Marrakesh.
He advised The Occasions that in his journey to Morroco, he was “freaked out” after seeing “a bloke with an unlimited python round his neck” and promptly “went again to the resort”.
Fortunately, a few of their different journeys have been extra stress-free together with a 2017 journey to Cambridge, when he and Laila had been seen taking a tranquil boat trip down the River Cam.
In 2022, the couple had been photographed outdoors their house lugging heavy suitcases forward of jetting off on a romantic getaway to an unknown vacation spot.
A supply on the time advised The Mirror the journey supplied “much-needed little bit of R and R” for the couple, who had rekindled their romance after a brief cut up.
Ronnie can also be required to journey as a part of his work – however nonetheless finds time to sneak away for some leisure and personal time.
On Instagram, he shared pictures of himself whereas travelling in China and Thailand together with a ravishing Buddhist temple with a big golden statue of Buddha.
Whereas he typically shies away from the spoils of fame, Ronnie posted {a photograph} of himself and artist pal Damien Hirst on the steps of a crimson non-public jet, which he captioned: “Beats the bus.”
There have additionally been pictures from an opulent resort balcony in Sofia, Bulgaria, and snaps from Eire, which he stated was “considered one of my fav (sic) locations on this planet” and had “probably the most scrumptious meals”.
In 2022, Ronnie fled the UK’s chilly climate over the festive interval to remain within the United Arab Emirates and was photographed on a quad bike on Christmas morning.
Ronnie has additionally been recognized to take breaks away to luxurious leisure centres together with Champneys Spas with buddies.