Who won the year? The sixest biggest winners (and losers) of 2021

With a year like 2021, we might all be forgiven just for getting out alive. But some people still found time to excel (and fail) in quite spectacular ways, says Harry Shukman

Words by: Harry Shukman

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

Members - 20 September 2026

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Members - 20 September 2026

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Who won the year? The sixest biggest winners (and losers) of 2021

With a year like 2021, we might all be forgiven just for getting out alive. But some people still found time to excel (and fail) in quite spectacular ways, says Harry Shukman

Words by: Harry Shukman

When the historians look back on 2021 what will they write about? The Ever Given running aground in the Suez Canal? The UK once again earning nul points in the Eurovision Song Contest? Or that coked-up football fan who drank 20 ciders and shoved a lit flare up his butthole on Leicester Square? The UN naively declared this the year of peace and trust. Someone ought to tell His Excellency, Secretary General António Guterres, that it was in fact the year of winners and losers (evidently in our nation’s case, mainly losers). Here are six of our favourites.

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

Members - 20 September 2026

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Members - 20 September 2026

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

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Issue NO. 51 Winter Issue 26

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Full Access to Paywall contentAccess to all member-only online features
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Weekly newsletter Straight to your inbox
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For more information please email subscriptions@thegentlemansjournal.com

Current Issue

Issue NO. 51 Winter Issue 26

Who won the year? The sixest biggest winners (and losers) of 2021

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Who won the year? The sixest biggest winners (and losers) of 2021

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Who won the year? The sixest biggest winners (and losers) of 2021

Further reading

What on earth is happening with Liechtenstein’s royal family?

8 things you need to know about Vy Capital, the secretive VC behind Elon Musk

Meet Peter Dubens, the billionaire betting on Britain finally winning the America’s Cup

Become a Subscriber

Become a Subscriber