Who Is Walter Beckenbauer? Wiki, Age, Wife, Kids, Family & Facts About Franz Beckenbauer’s Brother
Walter Beckenbauer is the younger brother of Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary German footballer and manager who won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Walter, however, did not pursue a professional football career like his brother, but instead became a successful businessman and a philanthropist. He was also a board member of Bayern Munich, the club where his brother played and coached for many years.
You have probably heard of Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary German footballer and manager who won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and the inventor of the modern sweeper role. He is also known as “Der Kaiser” (The Emperor) for his commanding presence and leadership on and off the pitch.
But did you know that Franz has a younger brother, Walter, who is also a successful businessman and a devoted family man? He may not be as famous as his brother, but he has carved his own path in life and has an interesting story to tell. Here are some facts about Walter Beckenbauer, the brother of the football legend.
Walter Beckenbauer Wiki/Bio
| Name | Walter Beckenbauer |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1947 |
| Place of birth | Munich, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Ethnicity | German |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Businessman, former footballer, former board member of Bayern Munich |
| Education | Business administration degree from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| Spouse | Udine Beckenbauer |
| Siblings | Franz Beckenbauer (brother) |
| Awards | Federal Cross of Merit |
| Links | Wikipedia- @Franz_Beckenbauer Homepage- Newsunzip |
Birthday and Education
Walter Beckenbauer was born in 1947, in Munich, Germany. He is the second son of Franz Beckenbauer Sr. and Antonie Beckenbauer, who ran a small postal service business. He grew up in the same working-class neighborhood as his brother, Giesing, where they played football on the streets and in the nearby park.
Walter was also a talented footballer, but he did not pursue a professional career like his brother. Instead, he focused on his education and graduated from high school with good grades. He then studied business administration at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where he earned his degree in 1972.
Other Family members
Walter Beckenbauer, the brother of Franz Beckenbauer, has two nephews from his brother’s first marriage to Brigitte Beckenbauer. They are Thomas Beckenbauer and Stephan Beckenbauer. Here is some information about them:
- Thomas Beckenbauer is the eldest son of Franz and Brigitte Beckenbauer. He followed his father’s footsteps and became a professional footballer, playing as a midfielder for Bayern Munich, Saarbrücken, and Stuttgarter Kickers. He also represented West Germany at the youth level, winning the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship. He retired from playing in 1994 and later worked as a scout and a coach for Bayern Munich. He is married and has two children
- Stephan Beckenbauer He is the second son of Franz and Brigitte Beckenbauer. He also became a professional footballer, playing as a defender for Bayern Munich, 1860 Munich, Kickers Offenbach, and FC Grenchen. He also played for the German national under-21 team. He retired from playing in 1999 and later worked as a coach for Bayern Munich’s youth and reserve teams. He was married and had two sons, Luca and Elias, who are also footballers. He sadly passed away on July 31, 2015, at the age of 46, after battling a brain tumor.
Height, Weight
- Height: around 5 ft 10 in or 178 cm
- Weight: around 70 kg or 154 lbs
- Eye color: blue
Career and Achievements
After graduating from university, Walter Beckenbauer joined his father’s postal service business and helped him expand it into a successful courier company. He also invested in real estate and other ventures and became a wealthy and respected businessman in his own right.
Walter was also involved in the football world, but not as a player or a manager. He was a member of the board of directors of Bayern Munich, the club where his brother played and coached for many years. He helped the club grow and achieve success, both domestically and internationally. He also supported his brother’s bid to host the 2006 World Cup in Germany, which was a huge success.
He was also a philanthropist and a social activist. He donated money and time to various charitable causes, such as education, health, and sports. He also campaigned for human rights, environmental protection, and peace. He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, the highest civilian honor in Germany, for his contributions to society.
How Franz Beckenbauer change the game of football forever?
Walter Beckenbauer’s brother Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away on January 7, 2024, at the age of 78, was not only a World Cup-winning captain and manager but also a visionary who transformed the way football is played. He was the master of the sweeper role, or libero, which he invented and perfected. He was also a leader, a winner, and an icon of German football.
Beckenbauer was born in Munich in 1945 and joined Bayern Munich as a teenager. He started as a midfielder but soon moved to the back, where he revolutionized the position of the defender. He was not content with just marking and tackling, but also ventured forward with the ball, creating and scoring goals. He was elegant, graceful, and intelligent, earning him the nickname “Der Kaiser” (The Emperor).
He led Bayern to three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976 and also captained West Germany to glory at the 1974 World Cup on home soil. He was the first player to win the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1972 and 1976. He retired from playing in 1984, after a spell with the New York Cosmos in the US.
He then became a successful manager, guiding West Germany to their third World Cup title in 1990, making him one of only two men, along with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo, to win the trophy as both a player and a coach. He also managed Bayern Munich, Marseille, and the German national team.
He was also a key figure in bringing the 2006 World Cup to Germany and served as the president of Bayern Munich and the honorary president of the German Football Association. He was widely respected and admired in the football world and was named in the FIFA 100 of the Greatest Living Players in 2004.
Beckenbauer was a pioneer, an innovator, and a legend. He changed the game of football forever and left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for generations. He was a true Kaiser of football.
Wife, Kids
Walter Beckenbauer married his wife, Udine Beckenbauer, in 1974. They have children: Niklas Beckenbauer and Raphael Beckenbauer. Niklas followed his uncle’s footsteps and became a professional footballer, playing for Bayern Munich and other clubs. Raphael is also successful in their respective fields, working as a lawyer and a journalist.
Walter and Udine Beckenbauer are still happily married and live in a luxurious villa in Grünwald, a suburb of Munich. They also have several grandchildren, whom they adore and spoil. He was very close to his brother, Franz, and they often spent time together, especially during holidays and family occasions. He was also by his brother’s side when he faced health problems, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and heart surgeries.
Walter is a man who has lived a fulfilling and meaningful life. He is a loyal brother, a loving husband, a caring father, a proud grandfather, a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, and a passionate football fan. He may not be as famous as his brother, but he is certainly a remarkable person who deserves recognition and respect.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 million |
| 2022 | 9 million |
| 2023 | 10 million |
