David Beckham Says He ‘Absolutely’ Fell in Love with Wife Victoria at First Sight (Exclusive)

“Of course she was a Spice Girl and sexy and beautiful and charming,” David tells PEOPLE of first meeting his wife of 25 years

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham in London in 2018. Photo: Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images

David Beckham realized his wife Victoria was special from the moment he met her in 1997!

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at Stella Artois’ Let’s Do Dinner event at Cipriani in New York City on Thursday, Sept. 19, David, 49, explained that from the minute he first laid eyes on his wife Victoria, 50, he knew that she was the one.

When questioned if it was “love at first sight,” the Stella Artois global ambassador insisted, “Absolutely.”

David Beckham attends Stella Artois Let's Do Dinner on September 19, 2024

David Beckham attends Stella Artois’ Let’s Do Dinner NYC event on September 19, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

David Beckham Admits He’s Just as Competitive with His Kids as He Is On the Field: ‘I Want to Win’

“Well, of course. She was a Spice Girl and sexy and beautiful and charming,” the former professional soccer player continued.

He added, “Then I found out what a strong woman she is. So it’s again the gift that kept on giving.”

David and Victoria tied the knot on July 4, 1999 and share four kids together; Brooklyn Beckham, 25, Romeo Beckham, 22, Cruz Beckham, 19, and Harper Beckham, 13. They first met at a Manchester United game — the soccer team David used to play for — in 1997.

British footballer David Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham attend the Versace Store opening party on New Bond Street on June 11, 1999 in London.

David Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham in 1999 in London.Dave Hogan/Getty

The former soccer player also spoke to PEOPLE about entering his farmer era, with his chickens making appearances on his social media recently.

“My wife gets a lot of content out of the chickens,” he joked to PEOPLE, revealing that the family had unfortunately lost one of the pets.

“I’m down a chicken. The others are doing great. I’m sure you’re going to be seeing a lot more content,” he said.

David and Victoria Beckham attend the Kent & Curwen presentation during London Fashion Week Men's January 2019 at Two Temple Place on January 6, 2019 in London, England.

David and Victoria Beckham in London in 2019. Darren Gerrish/Darren Gerrish/WireImage
David Beckham Says His Packing Habits ‘Annoy’ Wife Victoria and He Always Packs This One Thing

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Forever his wife’s hype man, David recently spoke about his other half while talking at a Bowers & Wilkins event in N.Y.C. on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

David credited Victoria for inspiring him to try new looks, saying at the event, “She always gave me that confidence and, and she still does now, even after 27 years. She still gives me that confidence that, you know, wanting to look good and wanting to feel good.”

David added of whether he’s influenced his wife’s style, “I’m not sure. I like to think I do,” he began, adding, “To be honest, she always looks good. It’s a good problem but it’s a problem. She always looks great. So it’s a pretty easy job for me.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

“She has a huge influence in my style,” the soccer icon shared. “When I put something on, I know from her reaction whether I need to take it off or whether I need to keep it on.”

For their recent 25th wedding anniversary, they surprised fans, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, July 3, by wearing the purple Antonio Berardi looks from their 1999 reception in a photo shoot.

“Look what we found… ,” David jokingly captioned a post at the time.

Related Posts

BREAKING: FIA Sends Shockwaves Through Red Bull with Sudden Announcement – Is This the End of Their Dominance?

The FIA vs. Red Bull: Is This the End of a Formula 1 Empire? In a sport defined by ruthless precision and microscopic margins, Red Bull Racing…

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari seat could be in serious danger after a nightmare weekend at Spa. Sources reveal the team issued a private ultimatum: improve now or face the axe. Is this the beginning of the end for the F1 legend’s dream comeback?

Hamilton’s Q1 Exit at Spa: A Shock That Ripples Beyond One Session In a sport defined by precision and expectation, Formula 1 rarely offers moments that truly…

Shockwaves in Formula 1: Top Drivers Blast Radical 2026 Regulation Overhaul, Claim It Could ‘Destroy Racing’ – Paddock Tensions Reach Boiling Point as FIA Faces Unprecedented Backlash from the Grid.

Formula 1 in 2026: Resistance, Reinvention, and the Future of the Grid As Formula 1 prepares to embrace a bold new set of technical regulations in 2026,…

F1 Chaos Incoming? Verstappen’s Unexpected Comments on Mercedes Talks Raise Alarming Questions About His Future at Red Bull Ahead of Crucial Belgian Grand Prix Weekend.

Max Verstappen, Mercedes, and the 2026 Conundrum: What Toto Wolff’s Decision Really Means Formula 1’s driver market is always a chessboard of strategy, loyalty, and long-term vision….

TERRIBLE NEWS for Lance Stroll After Tsunoda’s SHOCKING MOVE!

Is Lance Stroll Holding Aston Martin Back? A Deep Dive Into His Future in Formula 1 Lance Stroll’s recent performance slump has brought intense scrutiny to his…

PIASTRI Pulls Off TERRIFYING Lap and Leaves EVERYONE in SHOCK!

Oscar Piastri’s Masterclass Pole, Ferrari’s Growing Pains, and Red Bull’s Quiet Chaos: Inside the Latest F1 Drama Welcome to F1 News: Inside the F1, your deep-dive destination…