Franz Beckenbauer, famous by his nickname “Der Kaiser” (The Emperor), was one of the most influential figures in football history, both as a player and as a coach.
Renowned for his elegance, vision and leadership on the field, Beckenbauer is often credited with revolutionizing the role of the sweeper or libero in modern football.
His prominence comes from his achievements at Bayern Munich, where he led the club to multiple European titles, and with the German national team, for which he won the FIFA World Cup. World Cup as both a player and a coach.
File
- Full name: Franz Anton Beckenbauer
- Nickname: Der Kaiser
- Date of birth: September 11, 1945
- Age as of 2024: 78 years old (at the time of his death)
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Munich, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Occupation: Football player, manager and executive
- Height: 1.81 meters (5 feet 11 inches)
- Parents: Franz Beckenbauer Sr., Antonie Beckenbauer
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Heidi Burmester (married 2006), Sybille Beckenbauer (1990–2004, divorced), Brigitte Beckenbauer (1966–1990, divorced)
- Children: Stephan Beckenbauer (deceased), Thomas Beckenbauer, Michael Beckenbauer, Joel Maximilian Beckenbauer, Francesca Antonie Beckenbauer
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: German
- Net worth: 10 million USD
Early life and education
Franz Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945 in Munich, Germany and was 78 years old at the time of his death in January 2024.
He grew up in post-war Germany in the Giesing district of Munich. His father, a postal worker, was initially against Franz’s involvement in football, but Beckenbauer’s love for the sport led him to join SC 1906 München at the age of six.
In his teens, Beckenbauer moved to Bayern Munich’s youth team, where he began his journey towards football greatness.
His upbringing in Germany shaped his early football experiences, leading him to pursue a professional career without much formal education.
Personal life
Franz Beckenbauer was married three times. His first marriage to Brigitte Beckenbauer lasted from 1966 to 1990 and they had three children: Thomas, Michael and Stephan (who passed away in 2015).
His second marriage to Sybille Beckenbauer lasted from 1990 to 2004 before the divorce ended. In 2006, Beckenbauer married Heidi Burmester and has two children: Joel Maximilian and Francesca Antonie.
Over the years, Beckenbauer’s personal life has attracted media attention, mainly for his high-profile marriages and the tragic death of his son, Stephan.
Despite the challenges, Beckenbauer remained focused on his career and philanthropic activities later in life.
Career
Franz Beckenbauer’s football career began in 1964 with Bayern Munich, where he played as a defender and midfielder.
He led Bayern to three consecutive European Cup titles from 1974 to 1976 and won five Bundesliga championships.
Internationally, Beckenbauer is the representative face of West German football. He led the national team to the European Championship in 1972 and led them to World Cup glory in 1974.
Beckenbauer moved into management and, in 1990, became the first individual to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Before retiring, he also had a notable stint in the North American Soccer League with the New York Cosmos.
prize
- Golden Ball: 1972, 1976
- FIFA World Cup (as a player): 1974
- FIFA World Cup (as manager): 1990
- European Championship: 1972
- UEFA Champions League (European Cup): 1974, 1975, 1976
- Bundesliga: 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974
- DFB-Pokal: 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971
- FIFA Medal: 2007
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2002
- Sport Bild Award for Life’s Work: 2024
Net worth
Franz Beckenbauer’s estimated net worth is approximately $10 million.
His wealth mainly comes from his successful playing and managerial career, various endorsements and his long-term role with Bayern Munich, as both coach and club president.
Beckenbauer’s influence in football also extended to the media, including as a long-term columnist and television pundit.
Death
Franz Beckenbauer passed away on January 7, 2024, in Salzburg, Austria, at the age of 78. His death marked the end of an era in football and his contributions to the sport were celebrated around the world.
During the last years of his life, Beckenbauer suffered from various health problems, which kept him away from public life.
Argumentative
Despite his legendary status, Franz Beckenbauer’s career was not without controversy.
In 2016, he was drawn into an investigation by Swiss prosecutors into allegations of corruption and money laundering related to Germany’s hosting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
It was alleged that bribes were paid to secure the tournament for Germany. Beckenbauer, who played a prominent role in the bid, denies any wrongdoing, but the investigation has ruined his post-football career.
While the investigation ended without a verdict in 2020 due to Beckenbauer’s declining health, the allegations have tarnished his otherwise impeccable reputation.
Additionally, during his career, Beckenbauer faced criticism for his close ties to controversial FIFA figures and his alleged mishandling of several organizational issues involving Bayern. Munich during his presidency.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
Book
- Three Lives of the Kaiser by Uli Hesse
- Franz Beckenbauer: Autobiography
