Inside Ronnie O’Sullivan’s surprising friendship with celebrity pal – and it’s helped him put £10MILLION in the bank
RONNIE O’Sullivan has built up a multi-million pound fortune thanks to his close friendship with a world-famous artist.
The snooker ace has quietly set up a business called Ro Art Ltd, which looks after all his expensive, custom-made artwork designed by Damien Hirst.
The two have enjoyed a tight relationship for decades, with Damien credited for being Ronnie’s “wingman” throughout his darkest days.
The 90s hellraiser has also inspired the cue whizz to return to the baize after temporarily quitting in 2012.
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Financial docs reveal Ro Art Ltd has assets worth £1,938,539 from owning valuable pieces by Damien, famous for exhibiting a shark and a dissected cow in formaldehyde.
Ronnie, 48, and his two kids have been gifted special paintings, with the world champ’s 147 break in record speed being captured on canvas by Damien, 58.
The table master revealed what Damien meant to him in his autobiography Running, saying: “Damien did a painting for me of the 147 I made in record time in the 1997 World Championship.
“I can’t keep it at home because I’ve not got a wall big enough for it. It’s the same size as a snooker table – 12 by six.
“I don’t know what it’s worth, but it must be a fortune.
“Damien is perhaps the most generous and kind-hearted person I’ve ever met.
“He’s been my wingman during three championships, of which I won two.
“He’s one of the few people I want around when I’m playing. He’s invested so much time and energy in helping me through those difficult times and I don’t want to let him down.”
He also gave away one as an engagement present to Ronnie’s wife, the Footballers’ Wives star Laila Rouass, in 2013.
The art firm is just one strand of Ronnie’s empire, which has given him a £10 million fortune.
Accounts filed recently for Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Ltd reveals it has £3,461,608 in reserves.
The pot has built up partly thanks to 30 years worth of prize money and a joint record seven world championships.
Ronnie also owns numerous residential and commercial properties in Soho and east London.
RONNIE'S RISE
Raised in Essex, Ronnie O’Sullivan won his first UK Championship at the age of 17.
He is considered one of the greatest snooker players of all time, having won seven world, seven Masters and seven UK titles.
The snooker ace has struggled with addiction and mental health problems and spoken openly about his demons.
He said his struggles stem from an unhealthy obsession he had of maintaining his levels at the top of the sport.
These drove him into a six-year spiral of drug and alcohol abuse.
The star told the Stick to Football podcast in 2023: “I have an inability to deal with pressure that I put on myself.
“I get in such a bad place, I get so down on myself then I become a moody person, I become someone I don’t really like.”
He has since credited running as saving his life, a sport he paid tribute in his book “Running”, released in 2014.
He lives in Essex with his wife, the Footballers’ Wives star Laila Rouass, and has three children.
Latest accounts for RMOS Property Ltd shows it has £5,014,506 in assets.
This includes £4.61 million of property investments.
Among Ronnie’s portfolio is ownership of the freehold of a building rented by Prowler Red, the self-styled “biggest UK gay sex shop” based in Soho’s Old Compton Street.
His dad Ronnie Sr made millions running sex shops in the area before he was given a life sentence for murder.
Ronnie Jr also owns properties, which have barbers – Grizzly Felons and Star Boyz Style – renting the ground floor in Chingford and Walthamstow.
All totted up, Ronnie’s empire tops out at £10,414,653.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Damien Hirst were approached for comment.