Meetings that made media history… When Posh met Becks

When the media announced that 23-year-old Victoria Adams was dating 22-year-old David Beckham, no one could have predicted that 21 years later, they would be one of the world’s most admired (and richest) superstar couples, with their own multi-million-pound business empire.

With a combined net worth of an estimated $450 million, the couple (who live in California) have three sons and a daughter. They have each forged profitable careers since Victoria left the pop world and David retired from football – Victoria as a successful fashion designer and David as a businessman, model and spokesman for UNICEF.

Posh’s early life

Essex-born Victoria Adams, the eldest of three children, had attended theatre school as a youngster, deciding at an early age that she wanted a career in show business after watching the film Fame in 1980. She answered an advert in The Stage magazine in March 1994, asking for girls who could sing and dance to audition for new girl group, the Spice Girls.

She successfully auditioned and joined the band as Posh Spice – each band member was given a name to match their appearance and personality. The group enjoyed worldwide success, with their first single, Wannabe, going to number one in the UK, the US and in 35 other countries in 1996.

Becks’ early years

Born in Leytonstone, London, David is one of three children. He played football from a very early age and when he was asked at school what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always replied, “A footballer.”

His parents were Manchester United fans and the family frequently travelled to Old Trafford to watch matches. David inherited his parents’ passion and his dreams came true when he attended Bobby Charlton’s football school in Manchester.

In 1990, he was named Under-15 Player of the Year while playing for Brimsdown Rovers – an Enfield-based club. He signed for Manchester United in July 1991 as a trainee and made his first-team debut on 23rd September 1992, signing as a professional on 23rd January 1993.

How did the couple meet?

In his autobiography, David revealed he and Victoria had admired each other from afar before they met. He said he had seen her on television with the Spice Girls, while she had spotted his photo in a football sticker book! He described it as feeling like they had “always meant to be together”.

David was abroad in 1996 playing for the England team, when a Spice Girls video for Say You’ll Be There came on TV in his hotel room. He recalled turning to Gary Neville and saying, “That’s the girl for me!”

He described Victoria as his “idea of perfection.” Meanwhile, she was shown David’s photo when doing an interview for a football magazine. She recalled thinking he was “gorgeous”.

They first met when Victoria went to watch a charity football match at Old Trafford. During half-time in the locker room, David recalled someone saying that a couple of the Spice Girls were in the crowd. Walking into the players’ lounge after the match, David was delighted to see one of them was Victoria.

He admitted to feeling nervous, while Victoria said she noticed his “cute smile” when she spotted him standing with his family, away from the other players at the bar. They soon got talking and David admitted, “As soon as she smiled, I knew everything would be okay.”

After chatting with each other all evening, David asked for Victoria’s phone number and they began to date, although they kept it secret from the media for around eight weeks.

Marriage and personal life

They soon became inseparable and in January 1998, after dating for ten months, they announced their engagement. Victoria showed off her diamond engagement ring at a press call, describing herself as “the happiest girl in the world.”

They were married on 4th July 1999, at a lavish ceremony at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland. They have three sons and a daughter – Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 15, Cruz, 13 and Harper, 6.

Today, they are known as one of the most successful celebrity couples around. Victoria is a world-renowned fashion designer who launched her own label in 2008, winning Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2011.

After retiring from professional football in 2013, David remains as famous off the pitch as he was during his playing days.

He has become known as a fashion icon, who is much sought after by designers asking him to promote their brands. He has promoted clothing, health and fitness items, toiletries, fashion magazines, exercise equipment, hair stylists and spa and recreation companies. He also has his own range of David Beckham aftershaves and shower gels.

During the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he was one of a handful of iconic stars who represented Great Britain during the hand-over ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games. He has described his life after football as a “new adventure” and reveals he feels fortunate at the opportunities he has had during his career.

You might not meet the love of your life, but if you choose an &Meetings’ venue for your next event, you can be sure of a truly memorable experience. To find out more about our services, contact us on 0800 073 0499.