Robert Pires and Jessica Lemarie (Image Source: Getty)

Robert Pires will go down as one of the defining wide players of early-2000s English football, an elegant and industrious winger whose technical talents were key to Arsenal’s strongest modern era. Arriving from Marseille in 2000, Pires was a walking commercial and sporting asset: winning major silverware while raising his market value, consistent and on the world stage. He still provides the basis for the household income with his career earnings and post-retirement media work.Jessica Lemarie, publicly Jessica Lemarie-Pires, is a model and public personality attending football, fashion, and charity events along with Pires. As for what she is worth herself, this is not separately itemised in the mainstream press, but her contribution to the public profile of the couple and their lifestyle as brands is considerable. This has led to most estimates of combined net-worth being vastly over-reliant on Pires’ documented football earnings and commercial longevity.

Robert Pires, Arsenal success, and salary progression

Arsenal eventually picked up Robert Pires for around £6 million and, after a settling-in period, blossomed under Arsène Wenger. At his peak, between 2001 and 2004, he was among the club’s best contributors, scoring and assisting from wide positions and being a defining part of the “Invincibles” season in 2003-04.To put Pires firmly in the upper salary bracket at Highbury, contract renewals in that period. Reports at the time suggested basic salaries of £60,000 to £70,000 per week in the area, plus bonuses and image rights deals. The vast majority of his career earnings came from those seasons, before factoring in signing fees, performance incentives, and sponsorship revenue. His subsequent stints at Villarreal and Aston Villa were less financially rewarding, yet they more than proved solid additions to his overall earnings.

Net worth outlook and lifestyle profile

Most public estimates of the net worth of Robert Pires fall between $10 million and $25 million, depending on whether property ownership, income from investments, and income after retirement are included. Jessica Lemarie, whose own particular funds are not available to the general public, has been assigned a cautious estimate of value. The couple’s combined net worth is generally attributed to Pires’s playing and media career. A commonly referenced consolidated estimate by analysts and commentators puts their wealth in the combined $12 to $20 million range.Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo named Best Middle East Player at Globe Soccer Awards 2025 in Dubai

Mumbai: The new year has begun with a cost shock for Mumbai’s eateries and hotels, as state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) raised commercial LPG prices by Rs 111 per cylinder, triggering fresh concerns over higher food prices for consumers.From Jan 1, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder in the city has climbed to Rs 1,642.5 from Rs 1,531.5. The hike, part of the OMCs’ monthly price revision aligned with global fuel benchmarks, affects restaurants, hotels, bakeries and catering units across the city. Domestic LPG prices, however, remain unchanged at Rs 853 for a 14.2 kg cylinder.

The latest increase comes after two consecutive monthly reductions. Commercial LPG prices were cut by Rs 15.5 per cylinder on Dec 1, preceded by a Rs 5 reduction earlier. With the Jan revision, commercial LPG rates have now touched their highest level since June last year. Industry representatives warned the increase would squeeze already thin margins and could soon translate into higher menu prices, directly impacting Mumbai consumers.“The rise in the price of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders at the beginning of the new year has been an unexpected development. These cylinders are widely used by hotels and restaurants, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. The price hike will directly escalate operating expenses and consequently reduce profit margins. A small restaurant typically requires around two to three cylinders per day. The recent hike places significant financial pressure on the business and could result in revision of price of products,” said Pradeep Shetty, spokesperson of Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI).Echoing similar concerns, AHAR president Vijay Shetty said the increase would significantly raise input costs for restaurants of all sizes. “The gas prices have gone up by approximately Rs 111 per cylinder. This will have a severe impact on input costing of the restaurants. With other input costs of the restaurants already on a high, this increase in gas cylinder rates is another nail in the coffin for restaurants. This leaves them no option but to revise their menu rates, which directly impacts the common man’s pockets and reduces footfalls,” he added.While households have been spared for now—with domestic LPG prices unchanged since the Rs 50 hike in April 2025—industry players fear that repeated increases in commercial fuel costs could dampen dining-out sentiment in Mumbai, especially at neighbourhood eateries and budget restaurants.

Rajesh Khanna was known as India’s first true superstar and quite naturally, his life featured a fair share of highs and lows. His iconic sea-facing bungalow, ‘Aashirwad’ on Mumbai’s Carter Road was more than just a home. It was hailed as the “durbar” of a “monarch” who had ruled the Hindi film industry with 15 consecutive hits, as detailed in ‘Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna’ by Gautam Chintamani. Also revealed in the book is the heartbreaking financial decline and Kaka’s the fierce refusal to let go of his pride, even when Salman Khan offered a helping hand.

When Rajesh Khanna ruled like a king

The book also chronicles how in the early 1970s, after purchasing the bungalow from Rajendra Kumar for Rs. 3.5 lakh, Khanna had transformed it into a royal court. Producers would wait for hours outside, hoping for an audience. When “Kaka” finally emerged, he would sit on a chair placed higher than his guests to maintain the distinction between the king and his subjects. Inside, whisky flowed freely, and dissent was never tolerated; those who disagreed were theatrically banished from the “court.“

The arrival of Amitabh Bachchan as the “Angry Young Man” in 1973 signalled the end of the romantic superstar era. By the early 2000s, Khanna’s financial situation had turned dire. The Income Tax department reportedly served him a notice for unpaid dues exceeding Rs. 1.5 crore, and rumors began swirling that the superstar might finally have to part with his beloved ‘Aashirwad’.

When Salman Khan stepped in

Seeing the superstar’s struggle, Salman Khan reportedly reached out through screenwriter Rumi Jaffery. Salman’s brother, Sohail Khan, was interested in purchasing the property. To make the deal respectful, Salman offered to settle all of Rajesh Khanna’s outstanding Income Tax dues. Determined to finalize the deal, Salman Khan went as far as offering to star in a film produced by Rajesh Khanna without charging a single rupee.Despite the generous offer, Khanna reacted with “the fury of a wounded lion.” He felt betrayed that anyone would suggest he sell his sanctuary. According to Rumi Jaffery, Khanna shouted, “I consider you a son-in-law and you want to sell my house? You want to bring me to the streets!” Years later, Khanna even reportedly scolded Sohail Khan in person for the proposal.The late superstar often mused that even after his death, ‘Aashirwad’ would continue to stand forever as a monument to his stardom. In an ironic twist of fate, the Rajesh Khanna passed away in the bungalow in 2012. Notably, a few years later, the legendary structure was demolished to make way for a modern high-rise.

Salman Khan on the work front

Salman Khan is gearing up for the release of the war drama, ‘Battle of Galwan’ opposite Chitrangada Singh. The film is scheduled for a release on April 17, 2026. It has been directed by Apoorva Lakhia and bankrolled by Salman Khan Films.

In a thrilling New Year’s Eve clash at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, Pretoria Capitals crushed MI Cape Town by 85 runs in the 8th match of SA20 2025-26 on Wednesday. Batting first, the Capitals posted a formidable 220/5, powered by explosive finishing from Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford, before their bowlers dismantled the hosts for just 135 in 14.2 overs. This victory marked the Capitals’ first points of the season, opening their account on the points table with a bonus-point win.​

Six-hitting spree! Dewald Brevis, Sherfane Rutherford demolish MI Cape Town attack

Brevis and Rutherford turned the death overs into a spectacle, smashing 10 sixes in their combined unbeaten stand of 86 runs off 27 balls, propelling Capitals past 200. Earlier, Wihan Lubbe anchored with 60 off 36 (7 fours, 2 sixes), while Shai Hope contributed 45 off 30 (3 fours, 2 sixes), helping reach 100 in 11.5 overs despite early jolts losing three wickets in the Powerplay for 39. The fireworks ignited in the 18th over from Corbin Bosch, where Brevis sliced a short wide ball over third man for six, then shuffled to hammer a low full toss straight for another maximum.​

Chaos peaked in the penultimate over from Dwaine Pretorius. Brevis had already dealt in boundaries, but Rutherford erupted with four straight sixes: a widish cutter smashed over long-off, a slower bouncer over square leg, an attempted yorker muscled over deep cover for 74 meters, and a length ball hammered straight. This sequence of six consecutive sixes across Bosch and Pretorius overs silenced the home crowd, with Pretorius leaking 36 in two overs without a wicket, as Kagiso Rabada and George Linde sat out the crucial phase. Capitals hit 200 in 19.2 overs, sealing a daunting total despite a slow over-rate penalty.​

Here’s the video:

Rutherford and Brevis – a six-hitting exhibition 🔥🔥🔥#BetwaySA20 #MICTvPC #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/BAsLwJ91jv

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) December 31, 2025

Also READ: Sunrisers Eastern Cape skittle Paarl Royals for SA20’s lowest-ever total in one-sided win

Rutherford’s blistering all-round heroics

Rutherford stole the show, earning Player of the Match for his unbeaten 47 off 15 balls—all sixes, at a staggering 313.33 strike rate—after a quiet start to the tournament. His Caribbean flair dismantled MI Cape Town’s chase; opening with a 63/1 Powerplay, the hosts raced to 50 in 4.6 overs via Ryan Rickelton‘s 33 and Rassie van der Dussen‘s 28, but Rutherford struck back with 4/24 in three overs.​

He dismissed Reeza Hendricks (18), George Linde (2), Pretorius (8), and Rabada (4), collapsing MICT from 100/2 to 135 all out, with Keshav Maharaj grabbing 3/28 including Nicholas Pooran (25, 4×6). Tymal Mills (1/27) and Lizaad Williams (1/19) supported, as MICT lost eight wickets for 35 runs post-strategic timeout at 125/8. Rutherford’s dual impact—finishing the innings and leading the bowling—confirmed Capitals’ dominance, boosting their SA20 campaign amid a competitive table where MI Cape Town slipped after the loss.

Also READ: SA20 2026: Complete squads of all six teams after the players’ auction