Rio Ferdinand and his spouse Kate have returned to their £6.5 million mansion in Dubai, the place their youngsters get pleasure from larger freedom in comparison with life in London. The couple fled the UAE in March amid escalating tensions with Iran, sheltering of their seven-bedroom residence’s basement from incoming drones earlier than in search of security elsewhere.
Flight from Dubai and Return House
The household first retreated to their vacation residence in Portugal, then traveled to London for work and household obligations, adopted by a trip within the Maldives. They resettled of their 12,700-square-foot Dubai property final month, full with a expansive backyard and swimming pool.
The previous England defender listed his £10.5 million mansion in Orpington, Kent, on the market in April, indicating a everlasting shift away from the UK. The couple relocated to the tax-free emirate in August, in search of a contemporary begin with their youngsters.
Household Thrives in Dubai Life-style
Ferdinand, 47, highlighted his youngsters’s enthusiasm for Dubai. His 14-year-old daughter Tia and five-year-old son Cree recognize the surroundings. He advised The Occasions: “My youngsters are having an actual life journey in Dubai. My eldest daughter is 14. She loves that she’s obtained a bit extra freedom right here than she would have in London. My five-year-old boy likes that he will get to play extra soccer. The youngsters are completely loving the outdoor-living side.”
Kate Ferdinand, 34, emphasised their sense of safety. Talking to Khaleej Occasions, she said: “All of us really feel very secure in Dubai. Nevertheless it was truly good for the system to be away for some time and have a bit vacation. We’re blissful to be residence.” Rio echoed this, noting Dubai now appears like residence.
Criticism of UK Taxes and Companies
On LBC Radio in December, Ferdinand questioned the worth of upper taxes within the UK. He remarked: “If issues just like the well being service, for instance, was completely flying and dealing completely nicely then I feel individuals wouldn’t thoughts paying tax. However when there’s issues which are falling aside and going improper within the nation, then I sit there and go, we pay in the direction of tax and is it actually going in the direction of the issues which are truly benefiting the those that dwell right here? And that’s the massive query that wants answering.”
The household, together with three youngsters from Ferdinand’s late ex-wife Rebecca Ellison, resides in a luxurious suburb. Ferdinand praises Dubai for making his household really feel valued, with superior life-style, security, and climate fostering happiness and power.
He expressed patriotism for England however embraced the change: “I really like England and I’m a patriotic man in that sense, however a brand new journey, a brand new chapter, one thing totally different, I feel is a refreshing new chapter in my life.”
Kate, a health influencer identified from The Solely Approach Is Essex, initially felt homesick. On their Blended podcast in February, she shared: “Rio loves it a lot. I’m having fun with it, however I miss residence quite a bit. I get upset. I miss the massive boys lots and I am simply combating that. I really feel like we have opened our eyes to a special world. However I really like London, I really like the UK. I really like so many issues concerning the UK. I do really feel blissful in Dubai, however I am simply lacking part of me.”

