Ever since Lady Eliza Spencer—yes, Princess Diana's niece—announced her engagement in Santorini back in July 2025, everyone has been asking the same thing. Who exactly is Channing Millerd? And more specifically, what is Channing Millerd's net worth?
People love a royal-adjacent romance. But when a "South African businessman" enters the frame, the internet starts doing math. Honestly, most of the numbers you see floating around on those "celebrity wealth" sites are total guesswork. They see a 2.5-carat pear-cut diamond and assume he’s a billionaire. The reality is a bit more nuanced, and honestly, more interesting than just a big number.
The Reality of the Channing Millerd Net Worth
So, let's talk turkey. As of 2026, Channing Millerd’s net worth is estimated to be in the $2 million to $5 million range.
Now, before you say, "That's it?", remember we are talking about a guy who built a career in the high-stakes world of fintech and luxury branding, not a tech mogul who just sold his soul to Silicon Valley. He’s wealthy, sure. He’s "private jet to Greece" wealthy, but he’s not "owning a small country" wealthy.
His money doesn't come from a trust fund—at least not primarily. It comes from a decade of grinding in the South African and UK business sectors. He’s currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Marxhoff, a beverage company founded by rugby legends Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff. If you know anything about South African rugby culture, you know those guys don't just pick anybody to run their business operations.
Where the Money Actually Comes From
It’s not just one paycheck. Channing has his hands in several pots.
- Marxhoff: Being the COO of a growing alcohol brand is lucrative.
- DataLedger: Before the move to Marxhoff, he was the COO at this fintech company. Fintech is where the real growth is, and he likely walked away with significant equity.
- Lala V: This is the project he shares with Eliza. It’s a luxury Provence rosé brand. It’s "lifestyle wealth"—the kind of business that pays for the lifestyle it promotes.
The "Spencer Factor" and Financial Independence
There’s a misconception that marrying into the Spencer family means you’re suddenly swimming in Althorp House gold.
Kinda the opposite, actually.
Eliza and her twin sister Amelia have been very vocal about viewing their careers as careers, not birthrights. They work. They model. They partner with brands like Aspinal of London. Channing fits into this "hustle" culture perfectly. He grew up in Cape Town, attended prestigious schools like Bishops Diocesan College, and has been in the workforce since he graduated.
He’s a businessman who happened to meet a girl at a dinner party 15 years ago. It just so happens that girl is a Spencer.
The $120,000 Ring Question
When Channing proposed in Santorini, the ring became the story. It’s a 2.5-carat pear-cut diamond on a platinum band. Experts at places like InStyle have valued it anywhere between $50,000 and $120,000.
Does a $100k ring mean he's worth $50 million? Not necessarily. But it does show a high level of liquid assets. He didn't just walk into a mall; he went to bespoke jewelers in Cape Town and designed the thing himself. That’s "old school" wealth—knowing where to source the stone to get the most value for your money.
Why People Get the Figures Wrong
Most people get Channing Millerd's net worth wrong because they conflate his personal wealth with the Spencer family's $150 million+ estate.
You’ve got to separate the two. Channing is a private citizen. He has a son from a previous relationship, Nate, and he’s clearly focused on building a stable financial future. He isn't living off the Spencer name. In fact, until the engagement went viral in 2025, he kept a relatively low profile for someone dating a high-fashion model for nine years.
The Business of Being a "Royal-Adjacent" Entrepreneur
In 2026, your "brand" is your currency. Channing and Eliza have been smart. They aren't just socialites; they are brand ambassadors. Whether it's attending the Tatler Little Black Book Party or launching wine brands, they are monetizing their lifestyle.
His net worth is likely to climb as Lala V expands. Rosé is a massive market, and having the Spencer name attached to a Provence label is basically a license to print money in the luxury sector.
Actionable Takeaway: What We Can Learn
If you're looking at Channing Millerd as a blueprint for wealth building, here’s the reality:
- Diversify: Don't rely on one title. He’s a COO, an entrepreneur, and a brand consultant.
- Equity over Salary: His time in fintech (DataLedger) likely provided the capital for his later ventures.
- Value of Network: He met Eliza through his school friend Greg Mallett (who married Eliza's twin). Your network really is your net worth.
Basically, Channing Millerd is the modern version of a self-made man in a very old-school world. He has the pedigree of the Cape Town elite, but the work ethic of a 2026 entrepreneur. His net worth reflects a life of strategic moves, not just a lucky engagement.
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If you want to track how his wealth grows, watch the expansion of Marxhoff into international markets. That’s the real metric to follow.