When you know, you know, and Victoria and David Beckham certainly did. As if struck by cupid, it was love at first sight for the star couple, who met at a soccer match in 1997.
However, the soccer star revealed he knew the designer was the one even before they ever interacted—she captured his heart after he watched her perform on TV.
Like a fairytale, the couple got engaged a year after meeting, and welcomed their first child and tied the knot in 1999.
Since then, they’ve welcomed three more kids, collaborated on projects, showed unwavering support for each other,
and dropped nuggets of wisdom on how to make a marriage last—especially through hard times. See ahead for all the major moments in their sweet relationship.
1997: They Meet at a Soccer Match
Despite growing up 15 minutes from each other in London, Victoria Beckham (who was then Victoria Adams, or more widely known as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls) and David Beckham (who was then a hotshot midfielder on Manchester United) didn’t cross paths until they were 23 and 22 years old, respectively.
David Beckham fondly remembered their interaction on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “She came to a football match, soccer match, and I said hi from across the room and that was it,” he said. “I thought I’d missed my chance, and then a week later she turned up at another football match.”
Although their meeting was brief, it left a deep impression on both parties. The singer even recalled in a letter she wrote to herself in British Vogue, “Love at first sight does exist. It will happen to you in the Manchester United players’ lounge—although you will get a little drunk, so exact details are hazy,”
The soccer star recounted their second meeting on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, “We talked for about an hour in the players’ lounge and then she actually got the train up that day, so she wrote her number down on her train ticket, which I still have,” he revealed.
They went on their first date shortly after. Although they have chosen to keep the details to themselves, Victoria Beckham shared a photo of her ensemble from the night: a sleeveless orange dress with a belted waist.
January 1998: They Get Engaged.
The star pair rang in 1998 with news of their engagement. Victoria Beckham showed off her massive diamond ring while coordinating with her then-fiancé in black ensembles.
Their engagement was a dream come true for David Beckham, who told DeGeneres he knew Victoria Beckham was the one after watching the Spice Girls perform on TV. “I was in a hotel room with my best friend, who was my best man at my wedding. I remember turning around—before I’d even met Victoria—and said, ‘I want to marry that one.’”
Months after he popped the question, they announced they were expecting their first child.
March 4, 1999: They Welcome Their First Child.
The Beckhams officially became parents on March 4, 1999, when they welcomed their first child, a son named Brooklyn Joseph. The new mom gave some context on how they came up with the name in her 2001 autobiography Learning to Fly.
“It was when we were in Marbella [Spain] that we came up with the name Brooklyn. We already knew he was a boy and so I knew he could end up a footballer, so it had to be a name that was a bit blokey,” she wrote. “I had always liked the name Brooke and then we suddenly thought about Brooklyn. I’d always liked it as a place — it’s very multi-cultural, very grounded. And it was only afterwards that I realized how appropriate it was because it was in New York that I found out I was pregnant.”
July 1999: They Tie the Knot.
The Beckhams unionized at Luttrellstown Castle, outside Dublin, with 4-month-old Brooklyn as the ring bearer and some of the Spice Girls, the soccer star’s teammates, Elton John, and George Michael in attendance. Victoria stunned in a creamy satin wedding dress that featured a structural, strapless neckline, a ball gown skirt, and a 20-foot train, paired with an 18-karat gold tiara designed by Princess Diana’s jeweler. David Beckham matched his wife in an all-white suit. The two, along with their son, coordinated again in violet ensembles for the reception.
September 1, 2002: They Welcome a Second Child.
The family of three became a family of four on September 1, 2002, when they welcomed another son, Romeo James. The father of two confirmed his wife gave birth via cesarean section at 9:40 a.m. on the summer day.
2003: They Move to Spain.
The Beckhams relocated to Spain after David signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid. They stayed in the European country for several years.
February 20, 2005: They Welcome a Third Son.
Another little Beckham came along on Feb. 20, 2005, once again a son, named Cruz David. “We’ve got a baby boy. His name is Cruz,” the father told reporters outside the hospital. “He is beautiful. He is in there with his brothers now and he is very happy.”
July 2007: They Move Again.
The family of five packed up their things for Los Angeles after David Beckham signed a five-year contract with the L.A. Galaxy. They moved into a $22 million mansion in Beverly Hills and received a warm welcome from then-married couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who hosted their housewarming party.
August 2007: They Bare it All in W Magazine.
The couple bared it all in a W Magazine profile by way of steamy photographs and revealing quotes. Snaps see a shirtless David Beckham putting his washboard abs on display while Victoria Beckham lays out on the hood of a car dressed in a sexy one-piece swimsuit and leather thigh-high boots.
The fashion designer opened by about her husband’s alleged affair that dominated tabloids in 2004.
“I’m not going to lie. It was a really rough time…David and I got through it together,” she told the publication. “No one said marriage was going to be easy. Yes, there have been bumps along the road. But the fact is we’ve come out of everything we’ve been through stronger and happier. It’s even better now than when we were first married. After all these years, we can just come home and have a laugh together.”
April 2008: David Beckham Shares the Secret Sauce to a Long Marriage.
David Beckham shared with Ellen DeGeneres his secret to a happy wife, happy life is carving out quality time with her.
“We’ve got three beautiful boys, which is our priority, but I think…in a marriage, you make it work, and you have to make time for each other,” he said on the show. “And we do that. So I think that’s important.”
September 2008: Victoria Beckham Calls Her Husband Her “Muse.”
The designer gave her man a sweet shoutout on her website to celebrate the launch of her menswear line. “The dVb mens collection has just launched, and who better than David to be my muse!” she wrote. “I am looking forward to the brand developing…I have many ideas; patience is something I’m trying to learn but haven’t got to grips with as yet!”
September 2009: David Beckham Dedicates a Tattoo to Victoria Beckham.
You know the love is real when you get inked, which is exactly what David Beckham did for his dear wife.
“I had 10 roses around my arm, for the 10 years,” he said while appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “We always try and do things special, you know. It’s not always about buying gifts for each other, of course. We just make sure that we make time together or go for dinner together and do special things. That’s important to us.”
July 10, 2011: They Welcome a Daughter.
After three boys, the Beckhams finally welcomed a girl, Harper Seven, on July 10, 2011. People confirmed she weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz.
“Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz are excited to welcome their new baby sister to the family,” the Beckhams’ spokesperson told the publication.
Harper’s birth made them a big family of six, which David Beckham revealed he and his wife always wanted. “We’ve always wanted a big family, which was weird because when we first got together, we never even discussed how many children we wanted, but it just, it’s worked out that we want a big family,” he told DeGeneres. “You know, we love kids, so it’s worked out perfect.”
November 2011: Victoria Beckham Gives Her Husband a Shout Out.
The singer made a touching tribute to her beau while accepting her designer brand award at the British Fashion Awards. “Without David, I wouldn’t have had the courage to do what I am doing,” she said through tears.
2013: They Return to London.
After David Beckham retires from soccer, the Beckhams move back to their home city.
November 2015: Victoria Beckham Gives Another Tribute to David Beckham.
Victoria Beckham paid homage to her husband once again while accepting a Glamour Women of the Year award. ”Running a business, my work with UNAIDS and most importantly, being a mum, wouldn’t be possible without David,” she said in her emotional speech. “Not only is he the most incredible father, but he’s supportive and someone who loves and inspires me every single day.”
