The founder of the Caterham F1 Formula One team, Tony Fernandes, has a net worth of $400 million as of 2024.
As of 2020, Forbes estimated Fernandes’ net worth to be around $335 million. This value represented a decrease from his previous net worth of $650 million, which had ranked him at number 28 on the Forbes list of Malaysia’s Richest in February 2014.
Additionally, in November 2020, Fernandes sold an Ayrshire estate in Scotland for £2.5 million (equivalent to approximately $3.20 million).
This decision was likely influenced by the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry worldwide.
In addition, Tony is renowned as the founder of Tune Air Sdn. Bhd., a company that acquired AirAsia, the first Malaysian budget airline.
Fernandes took the reins of AirAsia, which was struggling as a government-linked commercial airline, and transformed it into a thriving budget airline.
Under his leadership, AirAsia went on to become a highly successful public-listed company. Subsequently, Fernandes established the Tune Group of companies, expanding his entrepreneurial ventures beyond the airline industry.
In addition to his accomplishments in the business world, Fernandes holds a majority stake in Queens Park Rangers Football Club, showcasing his interest and involvement in the sports sector.
This diverse portfolio of enterprises highlights Fernandes’ versatility as a businessman and his ability to make a significant impact across different industries.
Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers co-owner Tony Fernandes has ended his 12-year involvement with the Championship club.
Fernandes, along with Ruben Gnanalingam and Kamarudin Meranun, purchased the West London club in 2011 and served as co-chairman until 2018.
According to a statement released by the club, the Malaysian businessman and founder of AirAsia no longer holds any shares in QPR Holdings Limited.
Fernandes expressed his decision to step away with a sense of sadness, stating, “This decision to step away is made with a heavy heart.”
F1 Team
Tony Fernandes, the founder of Tune Air Sdn. Bhd. expanded his ventures to include the Caterham F1 Formula One team in 2010.
Originally known as Lotus Racing and then Team Lotus in 2011, the team was eventually sold to a Swiss and Middle Eastern consortium in 2014.
In a lighthearted challenge, Fernandes accepted Richard Branson’s proposition that the losing team’s boss would work as a steward on the winner’s airline for a day.
Branson lost, and the flight was delayed multiple times until it finally took place in May 2013.
Fernandes also created Caterham Racing, which competed in the GP2 Series before being sold in 2014. Additionally, Fernandes acquired Caterham Cars in April 2011.
Personal Life
Tony Fernandes was previously married to Deborah Lee Bergstrom on 1 June 1994, but they later separated.
Together, they have a daughter named Stephanie and a son named Stephen.
On 14 October 2017, Fernandes married Chloe Kim at the Hotel Cap Estel in Èze, located on the French Riviera.
The couple had been dating for over two years prior to their marriage.
In October 2021, Fernandes announced on his LinkedIn profile that he and Chloe Kim welcomed their third child, a daughter named Aliyah Ena Fernandes, who was born on August 14, 2021.
Additionally, Fernandes holds the status of an Overseas Citizen of India due to his partial Indian ancestry.[53]
In a September 2016 interview with Free Malaysia Today, Fernandes revealed that he does not speak Malay fluently. Although he can understand the language, he expressed limitations in speaking it proficiently.[54]
