FORMULA One icon Eddie Jordan amassed an estimated €500million fortune in his astonishing life, it’s believed.
The Dublin-born tycoon – who could “sell a used box of matches” according to old pals – owned homes in South Kensington, London, and Monaco.
He also had a home in Cape Town, where he died in the early hours of this morning after battling an aggressive form of prostrate and bladder cancer.
Jordan had business interests in property, oil, golf, racing and football.
He was a former shareholder at Celtic FC and was a long-time friend of Dermot Desmond and Denis O’Brien.
He leaves behind his wife, Marie and children Zoe, Miki, Zak and Kyle.
A statement on behalf of his wife Marie and four children said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur.
“He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20th March 2025 at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months.
“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence.
“He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”
Jordan’s net worth has been assessed in the hundreds of millions, according to experts.
A source said: “He was very clever, extremely astute and made shrewd investments over the years.”
The former Bank of Ireland worker indulged in his love of the sea by owning up to 10 Sunseeker superyachts during his lifetime, taking possession of his final one in 2014 – a 47m vessel named Blush worth €32 million- which he sold three years later.
He also owned a 45m sailing yacht – named Blush – which was sold for €12 million at the end of last year, just as he announced he was terminally ill.
Jordan grew up in Dartry, south Dublin and Bray in Co Wicklow, and attended Synge Street Christian Brothers school.
LOVE FOR MOTORSPORTS
He fell in love with motor racing after spending a summer in Guernsey in 1970 when a banking strike gave him time off from his day job.
He bought a kart on his return to Ireland and built his way up from the Irish Karting Championships, through Formula Ford, Formula Three, Formula 3000to the owner of his own Formula One team, Jordan Grand Prix, in 1991.
A former workmate at the Bank of Ireland branch on Camden Street in Dublin, where he worked for a number of years, joked: “You’d be taking your life in your hands if you got into a car with him.”
But added: “He was a great character, well-remembered and well-liked. He could sell ice to the Eskimos or a used box of matches.”
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Tributes poured in for the flamboyant businessman, who also owned a helicopter, had racehorses trained by Irish trainer Mouse Morris and played drums in a rock band.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Eddie Jordan.
“Eddie lived life to the full, facing his final days with the same courage and tenacity he displayed throughout his many years as an entrepreneur, Formula One pioneer, and TV pundit.
“There were few like him. My deepest sympathies go to all his family and friends.”
‘TRULY REMARKABLE’
Tanaiste Simon Harris added: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Formula 1 legend Eddie Jordan.
“A proud Dubliner, Eddie’s impact on the world of motorsport was truly remarkable.
“His passion, vision, and leadership shaped the sport and inspired so many. His legacy will live on.”
Riverdance icon Michael Flatley, who was good pals with Eddie, took to Instagram this morning to dedicate a post to the late sports star.
Sharing some throwback snaps of himself and Eddie jamming on stage together, he said: “God rest your soul dear Eddie.
“Legend, brother, best friend, rockstar! You lived your life fearlessly. Love you forever.
“See you on the other side.”
‘GREATLY MISSED’
Horse racing legend AP McCoy tweeted: “So sad to hear the news of Eddie Jordan’s passing. Such a cool, kind, charismatic man with a huge presence. He will be greatly missed.
“Sending my thoughts and condolences to Marie and all his family.”
In late 2024, Jordan detailed his health issues on his Formula For Success podcast, which he co-hosted with David Coulthard.
“He was a great character, well-remembered and well-liked. He could sell ice to the Eskimos or a used box of matches.”
Former work colleague
He said: “Way back in March and April, I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer.
“And then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive. And we’ve all heard about our wonderful friend Sir Chris Hoy, who is an absolute megastar, and he [was] coming out and talking about illness such as like what I’ve got, but he’s a far younger man.
“But this is a little message for all the anchors and everybody listening to this: don’t wait or put it off.
“Go and get tested, because in life you’ve got chances and there is so much medical advice out there and so many things that you can do to extend your lifetime. Go and do it.”
‘DEEPLY SADDENED’
Despite his diagnosis, last month Jordan led a consortium in the purchase of English rugby club London Irish.
Paying tribute the club said: “He was working until the last, having communicated on St Patrick’s Day about his ambitions for London Irish Rugby Football Club, of which he had recently become Patron.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said he was “deeply saddened” by the news describing him as a man with “inexhaustible energy who always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.”
RACING ROYALTY
Jordan’s first major taste of the racing world came when he entered and won the 1971 Irish Karting Championship.
Over the following years Jordan debuted in Formula Ford, the Irish Formula Championship and, in 1975, Formula Three before a serious accident at Mallory Park in 1976 stunted his progress.
He returned to racing the following year and in 1978, he won the Irish Formula Atlantic Championship and following a Formula Two race and testing for McLaren, he founded his first team, Eddie Jordan Racing, in 1979 before moving into the world of Formula 1 with Jordan Grand Prix, which was established in 1991.
Highlights include giving a debut to Michael Schumacher at the Belgian Grand Prix while giving driver Eddie Irvine real profile.
At the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, Jordan completed a one-two with Damon Hill winning and Ralf Schumacher finishing second. Third was Jean Alesi, who had previously won a F3000 Drivers’ Championship for Eddie Jordan Racing.
The Jordan Grand Prix team enjoyed its best season in 1999 when it finished third in the Constructors’ Championship with Hill and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, the latter also finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship.
