Bernard Ecclestone & family

Early Life

Bernard Charles Ecclestone was born on October 28, 1930, in St Peter, South Elmham, Suffolk, England. His father was a fisherman. Ecclestone attended primary school and left school at 16 to work in a gasworks laboratory. His early passion was motorcycle scrambling.

Rise to Success

Ecclestone's career in motorsports began trading motorcycle parts after World War II. He began racing in Formula Three in 1949. He later purchased the Brabham team in 1972, which he ran for 15 years. Ecclestone became increasingly involved in the commercial aspects of the sport, forming the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) in 1974. He was instrumental in negotiating television rights deals and sponsorships, transforming Formula One into a global business.

Key Business Strategies

Ecclestone's strategies involved controlling Formula One's commercial rights, negotiating TV deals, and expanding the sport globally. He centralized the race organization, sponsorship, and media rights through Formula One Promotions and Administration (FOPA), later Formula One Management (FOM). He sold shares of Formula One throughout his tenure.

Philanthropy

Information on Ecclestone's specific philanthropic activities is limited in the search results.