Paul Merson's huge net worth, eight children and former Arsenal star's battle with addiction

Paul Merson had quite the glittering footballing career, playing for some of England's biggest clubs including Arsenal, Aston Villa and Portsmouth. All before going on to become a fan-favourite sports pundit for Sky Sports after hanging up his boots.

But he has had his fair share of personal issues off the pitch, too. His battles with alcohol, drugs and gambling addiction have been well documented, and it's safe to say he has had a busy family life.

Born on March 20, 1968, the now 56-year-old started his career at after joining as an apprentice in 1984. Following a loan spell at Brentford, Paul made his debut for the Gunners under Frank McLintock against Manchester United on November 22, 1986.

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Over time he cemented his place in the team, primarily playing on the right wing. Across his 21 years at the North London club, he won the First Division title on two occasions, FA Cup once, as well as League Cup, Charity Shield, European Cup Winner's Cup and Football League Centenary Trophy triumphs - including finishing as runners-up to Italy's AC Milan in the European Super Cup in 1994.

He would finish his career in 2006 after playing for Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Walsall, Tamworth, Welshpool Town, Caerau and Hanworth Villa. Unable to leave the game behind, he opted to write and commentate on the sport instead.

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Is Paul Merson married?

Merson has been married three times, first to Lorraine Costin, separated in 2001, then Louise, separated in 2013, and now Kate, married in 2016. Although Kate prefers to keep her private life under wraps, she can often be seen in many of her ex-footballer husband's social media snaps.

The pair got married in 2016 in a family ceremony at a Catholic Church. Their lavish reception is said to have boasted a replica double-decker red bus.

Does Paul Merson have any children?

In total, Paul has eight children. His three youngest kids are with wife Kate, a son named Freddie and two daughters, Sienna and Sadie, with the most recent one being born in 2021.

He also has twin girls with ex-wife Louise, Mollie and Maisie, and then three children with his first wife Lorraine. Paul's eldest sons, Sam and Ben, are both involved in football, with the former recently hitting the headlines

Paul Merson's battle with addiction

Over the years, Paul has spoken candidly about his battles with addiction to alcohol, cocaine and gambling. He has even written about his struggles in his book Hooked, which aimed to help others rather than tell his own story. He also revealed the extent of his gambling addiction, losing a whopping £7m.

Paul, who earned an estimated £20k per week during his time at Middlesbrough, said in October 2021: "Looking back now, it's not the money lost that you regret. I've been a millionaire and wanted to kill myself. It's the time you've lost. I've got eight kids that I love very dearly.

"I've been addicted to alcohol and cocaine, but by far the most destructive and the only one I'm still struggling with is gambling. If I want to get drunk or high, I have to put something up my nose or down me. Gambling's already in you, just waiting constantly, talking to you."

He first revealed his addiction to cocaine during a press conference in 1994. He was offered support by Arsenal, something which the football star credits for helping him overcome the habit, and was given the benefit of the doubt by then-manager George Graham.

"All through my life, I've never had that off switch," Paul admitted. "There's no greater buzz in the whole wide world than scoring a goal. But when I came off the pitch, the difference between me and other people was I needed that buzz to continue."

What is Paul Merson's net worth?

Merson, a regular pundit on Soccer Saturday, has built a successful career in television after his football days. According to Jive Dash, the 56-year-old's net worth is estimated at around £12m, with his TV appearances - including Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 - and book sales contributing significantly to this wealth.

If you're a UK resident, and require help, support and advice about gambling harms please contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.