Bjorn Waldegard: Rally Driver, Early Life & Net Worth
Bjorn Waldegard has won several awards and trophies during his rally career, which made his country proud.
Throughout his career, he has worked with co-drivers Hans Thorszelius and Fred Gallagher.
Similarly, Bjorn also worked with BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Lancia, Toyota, and Fiat.
In the article, you will find detailed information about this legendary rally driver, Bjorn Waldegard starting with some quick facts.
Quick Facts: Bjorn Waldegard
| Birth Name | Bjorn Waldegard |
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1943 |
| Death of Date | August 29, 2014 |
| Age | 80 Years Old |
| Nick Name | Walle |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Rally Driver |
| Place of Birth | Solna, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Anita Waldegard |
| Children | Mathias Waldegard |
| Father | Not Available |
| Mother | Not Available |
| Siblings | Not Available |
| Education | Not Available |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | Not Available |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Net Worth | $1 Million – $5 Million |
| Source of Income | Rally Racing |
| Active since | 1973-1992 |
| Social Media | Not Available |
| Merch | Claes Billstam, Mikael Ericsson and Björn Waldegård – Vintage Press Photo, Ford Escort RS1800 (Rally Giants) |
| Last Update | April, 2024 |
Early Life and Family of Bjorn Waldegard
Bjorn Waldegard, a Swedish professional rally driver, was born on November 12, 1943, in a beautiful location of Solna Municipality, Sweden.
Moreover, Waldegard and his family belong to the white ethnic groups holding the nationality of Sweden.
Unfortunately, there is no information about his family. Similarly, information about his childhood life and education is not available.
However, we can easily assume that this legendary rally driver was interested in driving since his early years, which led him to become a professional rally driver.
How old was Bjorn Waldegard when he died? Age and Body Measurements
Swedish legendary rally driver Bjorn Waldegard lived his life to the fullest until the 29th of August 2014 till the age of 70, along with his wife and kids.
In addition, Waldegard celebrated his annual birthday on the 12th of November.
And his zodiac sign was Scorpio, which represented his personality as courageous, ardent, dedicated, and hard-nosed.
Moving towards the physical appearance of this rally racer, Waldegard had an impressive body build with an athletic physique during his active years.
However, the information regarding his height and weight is not available. But, his eyes were blue, and his hair was blonde.
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Career: Bjorn Waldegard
Early Career
Waldegard began his rally career journey in 1962. Bjorn had to face several difficulties and struggle during his early career.
Moreover, it took a couple of years to win some titles. Finally, Walle won his first-ever championship in 1967 as a Swedish Rally Champion.
Similarly, in 1968, he defended his Swedish Rally Championship title staying at the top position.
Bjorn’s career became fruitful after winning his first international championship on the 1969 Monte Carlo Rally with Porsche 911.
With this victory, Waldegard became the oldest driver to win a World Rally Championship event which he still holds.
In addition, during the mid-1970s, Walle competes in the newly operated European Championship for Rallycross Drivers with a Porsche Carrera RSR.
Bjorn came to the second place after Austrian Franz Wurz, the father of Alexander Wurz, in the 1974 Embassy European Rallycross Championship.
Rising Career of Bjorn Waldegard
During the 1970s, the competition between Bjorn Waldegard and Italian frontrunner Sandro Munari was off the roof.
Moreover, they were frequently chosen and replaced by each other on the Alitalia-backed Lancia team.
However, Lancia wants both the drivers to have an equal shootout while entering the final stage, but Walle had a slight 4 second lead over Sandro Munari and emerged victoriously.
As a result, disobeying team orders, Bjorn left the Lancia team and switched to Ford in late 1976.
Fortunately, joining Ford became much favorable to Walle as in 1977, he won three world’s most punishing rallies driving his new Ford Escort RS1800 model.
Moreover, Waldegard became victorious on the East African Safari Rally, The RAC Rally, and the Acropolis Rally.
Later in 1979, he won the World Rally Championship series for Ford and Mercedes-Benz, defeating Hannu Mikkola at the Rallye Cote d’Ivoire in the Ivory Coast.
Late Career of Bjorn Waldegard
After a long gap, Walle returned to the race in September 2008 during the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally; the event was held in the memory of McRae, who died in 2007.
Likewise, Walle drove a Porsche 911 in the Scottish Rally Championship centered in Perth in Scotland during the event.
His final race was the 1970 Targa Florio sports car endurance race held on the Italian island of Sicily.
In addition, Bjorn drove Porsche 908/3 along with a factory-supported, John Wyer. They finished the race in 5th position.
At last, the rally career of Bjorn was officially ended after a crash in the 1992 Safari Rally, where he broke his arm, which forced him to retire from the motorsport.
Bjorn Waldegard International Victories
- 38eme Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo with Porsche 911 S in 1969 and 1970.
- 21st International Swedish Rally with Porsche 911 S in 1970.
- 41 Osterreichische Alpenfahrt with Porsche 911 S in 1970.
Bjorn Waldegard WRC Victories
- 25th International Swedish Rally and 17 Rallye Sanremo with Hans Thorszelius from Lancia Stratos HF in season 1975.
- 18 Rallye Sanremo with Hans Thorszelius from Lancia Stratos HF in season 1976.
- 25th Safari Rally, 24th Acropolis Rally, and 26th Lombard RAC Rally with Hans Thorszelius from Ford Escort RS1800 in season 1977.
- 28th International Swedish Rally with Hans Thorszelius from Ford Escort RS1800 in season 1978.
- 26th Acropolis Rally and 7eme Criterium Molson du Quebec with Has Thorszelius from Ford Escort RS1800 in 1979.
- 12eme Rallye Cote d’Ivoire with Hans Thorszelius from Mercedes 500 SLC in season 1980.
- 12th Motogard Rally of New Zealand with Hans Thorszelius from Toyota Celica 2000GT in 1982.
- 15eme Rallye Cote d’Ivoire with Hans Thorszelius from Toyota Celica TCT in season 1983.
- 32nd Marlboro Safari Rally with Hans Thorszelius from Toyota Celica TCT in season 1984.
- 34th Marlboro Safari Rally Kenya and 18eme Rallye Cote d’Ivoire with Fred Gallagher from Toyota Celica TCT in 1986.
- 38th Marlboro Safari Rally Kenya with Fred Gallagher from Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 in season 1990.
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Personal Life of Bjorn Waldegard
World Rally Champion Bjorn Waldegard was happily married to Anita Waldegard.
Moreover, they were blessed with a son, Mathias Waldegard, who is currently walking in the footsteps of his late father as a rally driver.
Bjorn, a legendary Scottish rally driver, married only once throughout his life and lived with his wife Anita until his last day.
No rumors or controversies regarding this lovely couple were heard during their active times.
However, after the death of Bjorn Waldegard, Anita is left behind with a bundle of grief and sorrow.
How did Bjorn Waldegard died?
One of the most talented and respected Scottish rally drivers, Bjorn Waldegard, died of cancer at the age of 70 on August 29, 2014.
Although battling cancer for a very long time, cancer overcame him and took the legendary racer from this world.
However, even though he is not around, we can still feel his presence during the rally races as he has contributed to the motorsport for over three decades.
Likewise, after his tragic death, fans & friends flooded the social media platforms with condolences messages.
How much was Bjorn Waldegard’s Net Worth?
Bjorn was a proud citizen of Scotland who made his country proud by becoming the world champion and winning many other international trophies.
With a 31-years long professional rally career, Waldegard has made a huge contribution in the field of rally sport.
Moreover, he surely made a massive net worth from his dozens of victories and brand endorsements with that contribution.
The legendary rally driver Bjorn Waldegard had an estimated net worth of around $1 Million to $5 Million.
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Social Media Presence
Unfortunately, this Scottish legend is no longer active or available on the social media platforms.
However, you can find his old images and pictures on different social media platforms posted by his fans and followers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Waldegard first win his international rally race?
Bjorn Waldegard first won his international rally race in East African Safari Rally in 1972.
What was the reason behind Bjorn leaving team Lancia?
Bjorn disobeyed the orders of team Lancia to have an equal shootout with Sandro Munari but, he overtook Munari by four-second emerging as victorious.
What was the reason behind Waldegard’s retirement?
During the 1992 Safari Rally, he broke his arm in a crash, leading to retirement.
