“You Couldn’t Get Scrappier”: $285 Million Worth Lewis Hamilton Once Got Candid on a Life Where His Family Was $15,000 Deep in Debt

Lewis Hamilton’s life may currently be filled with luxury cars, mansions, success, and money, but things weren’t always that way for the F1 titan. The seven-time champion has had a hard life growing up. He had to endure a rather tough childhood.

Lewis Hamilton was born in Stevenage, which is about 30 miles north of London. A young Lewis lived with his mother for a few years, as his parents split up when he was only 2 years old. His mum lived with little Lewis in a public housing complex, which wasn’t a very safe neighborhood. However, when Lewis turned 10, he moved in with his father and stepmother.

With all hardships that Lewis Hamilton was enduring, he was unable to perform well in school. Back in 2008 Lewis recollected what his dad used to say back then. He said, “I needed more discipline. I think my dad said, ‘Look, I want to give him a better life than I had.’ So my mum gave me up to a certain extent. It was very difficult for her.”

The seven-time champ’s father, Anthony Hamilton, also weighed in. Anthony shared that post the first year when Lewis got into carting, he was $15,000 in debt. He earned the bread by doing multiple jobs, such as a salesperson, and a real estate agent erecting signboards. And this was despite his day job at the Railway.

Anthony said, “You know something? It was the making of our family, those early karting years. We literally had no money.” An emotional Lewis added, “It was very scrappy, you couldn’t get scrappier.”

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However, Anthony is very proud of what his son has achieved over the years. He believes that Lewis, who is now worth $285m, was focused and had the knack for becoming the best since he was young.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mum spoke about her split with Anthony

Lewis Hamilton’s mum, Carmen Larbalestier, hasn’t been much active in the paddock supporting Lewis. However, she is extremely proud of his achievements and has been caught on camera a couple of times for the big moments.

Talking about how things turned out with her husband, she said, “He is probably better for it than if we had stuck together in an unhappy marriage.”

“But I didn’t stop him making sure Lewis got what he wanted. Without his dad’s constant, constant work he would not have been able to continue,” she said in conclusion.

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Lewis Hamilton has been an inspiration for so many and for good reason. The man has earned his place in the sport, rising like a phoenix from the ground up.