Ricardo Teixeira Biography: Ethnicity, Siblings, Net Worth, Age, Parents, Height, Children, Wife, Salary   

Ricardo Terra Teixeira is a Brazilian sports official who served as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) from January 16, 1989, to March 12, 2012.

Renowned for leading Brazil to two World Cup titles (1994, 2002) and creating the Copa do Brasil, his 23-year tenure was marred by corruption allegations, including a 2012 Swiss report revealing he and his former father-in-law, João Havelange, took over $41 million in bribes tied to World Cup marketing rights.

In 2019, FIFA banned him for life for bribery related to media and marketing contracts from 2006 to 2012.

Profile

• Full Name: Ricardo Terra Teixeira
• Stage Name: Ricardo Teixeira
• Born: June 20, 1947
• Age: 78 years old
• Birthplace: Carlos Chagas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
• Nationality: Brazilian, Occupation: Former Sports Administrator, Businessman
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Teixeira
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Lúcia Havelange (m. 1967, div. 1997); Ana Carolina Rodrigues (m. 2003)
• Partner: Narcisa Tamborindeguy (1997)
• Children: Children: Ricardo Teixeira Havelange, Roberto Teixeira, Joana Teixeira, Antônia Teixeira, and Henrico Teixeira
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5–10 million USD

Early Life and Education

Ricardo Teixeira was born on June 20, 1947, in Carlos Chagas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to a father who worked as a bank employee. Little is known about his siblings. He studied law in Rio de Janeiro.

Before entering sports administration, Teixeira worked for 20 years in the financial market, including an unsuccessful venture with his father, brother, and Havelange. His ethnicity is Brazilian, and his religion is not publicly known.

Career

Teixeira entered football administration through João Havelange’s influence and was elected CBF president in 1989, defeating Nabi Abi Chedid, after succeeding Octávio Pinto Guimarães.

His 23-year tenure saw Brazil win two World Cups (1994, 2002), 11 world titles across various levels, and 27 South American championships. With Eurico Miranda, he created the Copa do Brasil, offering smaller clubs national exposure and a Libertadores spot.

Teixeira globalised the Brazilian national team’s brand, securing a lucrative Nike sponsorship in 1996, though it sparked a congressional probe. Corruption scandals overshadowed his tenure.

In 1993, Pelé accused Teixeira of corruption after his TV company lost the domestic rights, leading to an eight-year feud. As a result, Havelange banned Pelé from the 1994 World Cup draw. In 2001, a Brazilian congressional investigation alleged 13 crimes, including tax evasion and money laundering, though no charges were filed.

In 2011, British journalist Andrew Jennings claimed Teixeira amassed $9.5 million in bribes from FIFA’s marketing firm ISL. A 2012 Swiss report confirmed that he and Havelange received 41 million CHF in bribes from ISL for World Cup marketing rights (1992–2000), which was legal at the time in Switzerland.

In 2015, U.S. authorities indicted him for racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering, though he evaded extradition. Spanish investigations linked him to Sandro Rosell in a money-laundering scheme involving CBF-Nike contracts, allegedly using his daughter as a front.

Teixeira resigned from the CBF and the 2014 World Cup organising committee in March 2012, citing diverticulitis, though pressure from corruption allegations was widely noted.

FIFA’s 2019 ethics committee banned him for life for taking $32.3 million in bribes for media rights to CBF, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF competitions (2006–2012), fining him 1 million CHF ($1 million).

He also faced scrutiny for overcharging for a 2008 Brazil-Portugal friendly and lobbying against a 2007 CPI investigation into CBF dealings. Despite successes, his reputation remains tied to corruption, with recent X posts calling him a “cancer” in Brazilian football, though acknowledging his era’s on-field triumphs.

Social Media

Ricardo Teixeira does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Teixeira was previously married to Lúcia Havelange (daughter of former FIFA president João Havelange) in 1974; the marriage produced three children—including a son, Ricardo Teixeira Havelange, born in 1974—and ended in divorce in 1997.

In December 2003, he entered into a second marriage with Ana Rodrigues (also referred to as Ana Carolina Wigand), with whom he has additional children—reports suggest they have at least two children, including a daughter living with him in Miami in 2013.

Net Worth

Ricardo Teixeira has an estimated net worth of $5 million to $ 10 million USD. His wealth stems from his tenure at CBF, as well as his business ventures, including a Hyundai dealership and real estate investments.

The Nike contract and other CBF deals generated significant revenue, though bribery scandals (e.g., $41 million from ISL) and gambling losses (SEK 55 million) impacted his finances.