Bernie Ecclestone offloaded a yacht named after his daughters, Petra and Tamara, last week following claims from his wife Fabiana that the family barely used it. The vessel is said to have been used for just eight days annually, prompting the sale.
A second, smaller yacht belonging to the Formula 1 supremo, currently moored in Ibiza, unlike “Petara”, which remains in Croatia, is also for sale. “We just sold it,” Ecclestone revealed to Bild during an interview marking his 95th birthday, which falls today, Tuesday, October 28.
Fabiana explained, “We only used it for eight days a year. We don’t need such a big yacht for that.” Earlier this year, Ecclestone also parted ways with his collection of F1 cars, selling them to Red Bull co-owner Mark Mateschitz for approximately £550 million.
That transaction came 18 months after he paid over £500 million to HMRC in a civil settlement, following his failure to declare overseas assets worth £400 million. Despite these sales, he and his family still boast a net worth of £1.8 billion, according to Forbes.
The motorsport mogul currently resides in the resort town of Gstaad, nestled in the Swiss Alps, alongside his third wife, Fabiana, 49, and their five-year-old son, Ace.
Speaking about his birthday celebrations, he said: “My daughters wanted a big party. I’d rather fly with Fabi and Ace to my ranch in Brazil.” His eldest daughter, Deborah, “visited me in Gstaad before my birthday,” Ecclestone said of his child with first wife Ivy Bamford. “She just turned 70.”
His current wife reflected on their relationship: “We’ve been married for 13 years now, together for 16,” adding about their parenting of Ace: “It’s working very well.
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“Bernie and I are a team, and we’re raising Ace as a team. When I get a little impatient, Bernie explains to him in his usual calm and quiet way that he’s not allowed to watch TV for half an hour until he’s done his homework.”
On the topic, she further stated: “It’s not easy for us to explain to Ace that online, tablet, and YouTube are only available on Tuesdays, while his classmates are allowed to do so every day. I think it’s a good idea for him to get his first mobile phone at 12 or 14.”
Ecclestone clarified: “Ace has accepted this and doesn’t complain. He’s a bright, intelligent, wonderful boy. I already see no limits to what he’ll be capable of.”
Fabiana added, “He was already skiing at the age of two. Many children that age don’t like this or that food – Ace likes everything. His favourite is sushi.”
