The fabulous, beer-filled life of reclusive billionaire party animal Mike Ashley

Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley.Getty

Mike Ashley, the founder of Sports Direct, is one of Britain’s most eccentric billionaires.

The media regularly depicts him as a beer-swilling party animal. Most recently, he has been accused in a lawsuit of reneging on a pub bet that would have cost him £15 million, cleaning out a restaurant of its entire supply of £3,000-a-bottle red wine, and getting so drunk at a business meeting that he vomited into a fireplace.

Although his companies are the subject of daily headlines, Ashley the person is still something of an enigma. He rarely gives interviews and despises the limelight.

He grew up in small bungalow in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. Now 52, Ashley turned the first shop he opened in 1981 into the Sports Direct apparel empire, making him one of the richest people in the UK. He owns stakes in Newcastle United and Rangers FC. His personal fortune is estimated to be £3.75 ($5.7) billion.

He can also down a pint in less than 10 seconds, loves to gamble, and isn’t afraid of taking his shirt off. He sometimes uses a plastic shopping bag as a briefcase. Scroll down for the life of Mike Ashley, told in photos.↓