Boris Becker Discharged from Bankruptcy by UK High Court Judge in 2024

Boris Becker, the former Wimbledon champion, has been discharged from bankruptcy by a UK High Court judge in 2024. Becker, 56, was declared bankrupt in 2017 after owing creditors nearly £50 million ($62.5 million) over an unpaid loan of more than £3 million ($3.75 million) on his estate in Mallorca, Spain.

Despite falling short of repaying his creditors in full, Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs found that Becker had done "all that he reasonably could do" to repay the debt. The judge said it would be "perverse" not to end the case given Becker's cooperative efforts.

Becker was previously deported to Germany in 2022 after serving 8 months in a London prison for illicitly transferring large amounts of money and hiding £2.5 million ($3.1 million) in assets. He had been convicted of four charges under the Insolvency Act, but was acquitted of 25 other charges.

The bankruptcy order was initially suspended in 2018 due to Becker's failure to comply with his obligations. However, in April 2024, the High Court lifted the suspension after Becker's lawyers argued that he had done "the best possible he is capable of doing" to meet his obligations. The judge agreed, stating that Becker had "done all that he could reasonably do to fulfil his obligations to the joint trustees."

Why this matters: The resolution of Boris Becker's high-profile bankruptcy case marks the end of a long legal battle for the tennis legend. It highlights the importance of cooperation and good faith efforts in fulfilling financial obligations, even for celebrities and sports stars facing significant debts.

Becker's lawyer, Louis Doyle, stated that a settlement had been reached, which includes a "substantial sum" that Becker must pay and the return of his outstanding trophies. The judge noted that Becker "clearly falls on the right side of the line" in terms of cooperating with the bankruptcy trustees. While the creditors were still owed around £42 million, the judge found that Becker had done the best he could in the circumstances to resolve the bankruptcy case.

Key Takeaways

• Boris Becker discharged from bankruptcy in 2024 after owing £50M in debts.
• Becker served 8 months in prison for illicitly transferring money and hiding assets.
• Bankruptcy order initially suspended in 2018 but lifted in 2024 due to Becker's efforts.
• Becker to pay a "substantial sum" and return outstanding trophies to resolve case.
• Case highlights importance of cooperation in fulfilling financial obligations for celebrities.