Some celebrity spouses were made to last, like Victoria and David Beckham. The genetically-blessed, high-profile couple is celebrating 20 years of marriage on July 4, 2019, two decades after they exchanged vows and married in an elegant wedding at the Luttrellstown Castle near Dublin in 1999.
Hard as it may be to believe, there was a time before either of the Beckhams was inexorably linked to the other. The now-inseparable pair first met at a charity soccer match back in 1997, and announced their engagement less than a year later in January 1998. David, fans will remember, once declared, upon watching Victoria’s music videos with the Spice Girls, that he was going to make her his wife one day. Victoria, for her part, actually “didn’t know who he was,” she said during an episode of American Idol.
Here, The Knot takes an in-depth look back at Becks and Posh’s love story, which now includes four beautiful children, a fashion empire, and an athletic legacy that will no doubt last as long as their marriage.
The Wedding
The pair got hitched at the Luttrellstown Castle near Dublin on July 4, 1999; she wore a strapless Vera Wang gown and accessorized her look with a gold crown by jeweller Slim Barrett. He wore a bespoke white suit with a white vest to boot. There were gold thrones involved, and their son, 4-month-old Brooklyn, was their ring bearer. Following the ceremony, they changed into matching purple outfits for the reception, because of course. (Earlier in the year, they made headlines in matching leather outfits at a Versace party in London.)
Posh Goes Solo
In October 2001, Victoria released her self-titled debut album, Victoria Beckham, and David supported her through the inevitable backlash. “People never believed the solo singing career, and it wasn’t the real me — I was a little bit lost at the time,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2009. “I don’t mind making mistakes. I just can’t live with anyone else’s mistakes.”
(photo credit: Shutterstock)
Another Family Addition
A year later, however, Victoria found herself shifting back toward another role: mom to Brooklyn, now three, and their newborn son Romeo James, who was born on September 1, 2002. A little over one year after that, the family up and moved to Madrid after David is drafted to Real Madrid, and the family of four sets down roots there.
A Third Child
On February 20, 2005, Victoria gives birth to the couple’s third son, Cruz David Beckham, and the family pivots yet again to focus on the opening of the David Beckham Academy in Beverly Hills, Calif., a foreshadowing for the family’s eventual move to Los Angeles after David is transferred to the LA Galaxy in 2007.
Victoria Pivots Her Career
The multi-hyphenate decides to go full-force toward her interest in fashion and debuts her first line at New York Fashion Week in September 2008, simultaneously launching the Beckham Signature fragrance collection at Macy’s in New York that same fall. Fittingly, the superstar couple attended their first-ever Met Gala earlier that year, dressing to fit the theme of Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.
The Couple Who Rules Fashion
Following the launch of Victoria’s fashion line, she and David are named the new models/spokespeople for Emporio Armani Underwear’s 2009/2010 season, and in April 2011, they are among the A-list celebrities who are invited to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding at Buckingham Palace. That July, they welcome their fourth child and first daughter, Harper Seven Beckham.
David Retires From Soccer
The couple, who had been married for nearly 14 years at this point, undergo yet another major change: in May 2013, David announced that he was planning to retire from soccer. In a statement at the time, he said: “Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love. However, I feel like I”m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.” A proud Victoria stands by her man.
A Family Cover Story
Victoria is selected as a guest editor-in-chief for the 2013 holiday issue of Vogue Paris, and she and David pose for the cover in scintillating images that remind the world that it is possible to be together for more than a decade and still feel passionately, hopelessly in love with the other person.
Fifteen Years of Marriage
David and Victoria celebrate 15 years of blissful marriage to one another, and usually stoic Victoria even posts a sappy Instagram tribute to her husband. “15 beautiful years. We feel so blessed and thank you all for your love and support over the years. Such a special day for us all x vb 🙏,” she captioned a throwback photo of the couple embracing at their wedding back in 1999.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 16: (L-R) Brooklyn Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Romeo Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, editor-in-chief of American Vogue Anna Wintour and Julia Gorden attend the Burberry “London in Los Angeles” event at Griffith Observatory on April 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/Getty Images for Burberry)
A Vow Renewal
In a tell-all interview with BBC Radio in early 2017, David revealed he had renewed his vows with his wife somewhere along the lines of their marriage. The two made an effort to be reminded of their lifelong commitment to each other–and their growing family. “We have renewed our vows since [the wedding],” David said. “It was a lot more private with only six people there in our house.”
Sixteen With Their Four Little Ones
The couple celebrated their anniversary the following year, in 2015, with their four kids. “Happy anniversary, I love u so much x I’m so proud of our beautiful family x,” Victoria captioned a shot of the couple and their four young ones dressed to the nines.
His Side of the Love Story
In the same interview with BBC Radio, Beckham speculated about what allows his relationship dynamic to work with his wife–despite much public scrutiny. “We were brought up with the right values,” the former Manchester United player noted. “Of course, you make mistakes over the years. We all know marriage is difficult at times, and it’s about working through it. Whenever we’ve come up against tough times, we know each other better than anybody knows us. We have an amazing life which we are very respectful of. We are also private people.”
Her Side of the Love Story
“I think that he’s my soul mate. We complement each other,” the former Spice Girl told Savannah Guthrie in March 2017. “He’s the most incredible husband, fantastic father. He inspires me every day. Not just seeing him with the children and how he treats me. It just works. We’re lucky to have each other.”
When it comes to the kids, she also explained how they split tasks and take responsibility. “It is a juggling act constantly,” Victoria added on Friday. “I’m lucky that David is the most fantastic father and husband, and he’s great. We’re very equal at home, and we’re a really, really good team.”
Another Royal Wedding
This time, it’s the much-anticipated nuptials between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, on May 19, 2018. That same year, they celebrate 19 years of marriage, making it all somehow look easy and effortless. Is it just us, or are the Beckhams aging in reverse?
Former England footballer David Beckham (R) arrives with his wife Victoria for the wedding ceremony of Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018. (Photo by Gareth Fuller / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images)
A Career Milestone
The entire family is in attendance at her show at London Fashion Week, and British Vogue gets in on the action by offering the family a beautiful spread in its October issue. “Proud of mummy x 10 years and what an amazing way to celebrate in London 🇬🇧 .. We are so proud of you @victoriabeckham ♥️,” David captioned a sweet shot of the kids sitting front row.
Worlds Collide
In January 2019, Victoria celebrated the launch of the Reebok x Victoria Beckham collection, fusing her and David’s love for sports and fashion in one fell swoop. A proud David attended the launch and beamed all night.
Stay Together
The Beckhams kick off the summer with their kids by traveling to Miami for some quality family time, then to Seville, Spain. “Truly the best daddy in the world x we love u so much x kisses @davidbeckham x,” she captioned an adorable photo of David with the kids. This is clearly a love story that never ends.
