Early Life and Education of David Beckham: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of David Beckham, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

David Beckham is a retired English professional footballer celebrated for his exceptional passing, crossing, and set-piece skills. He is the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City. Beckham is recognized as one of the best players of his generation and a set-piece specialist. He won 19 major trophies throughout his career, achieving the distinction of being the first English player to secure league titles in four different countries: England, Spain, the United States, and France.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1969: Parents' Marriage

In 1969, David Beckham's parents, Sandra Georgina and David Edward Alan "Ted" Beckham, married in the London Borough of Hackney.

May 1975: David Beckham Born

In May 1975, David Robert Joseph Beckham was born at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London, England.

1986: Manchester United Mascot

In 1986, David Beckham served as a Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United.

1990: Under-15 Player of the Year

In 1990, David Beckham was named Under-15 Player of the Year during a two-year period in which he played for Brimsdown Rovers' youth team.

July 1991: Signs Youth Training Scheme Contract

On July 8, 1991, David Beckham signed a Youth Training Scheme contract with Manchester United, marking a significant step in his youth career.

July 1991: Signs as Manchester United Trainee

On July 8, 1991, David Beckham signed for Manchester United as a trainee, joining a group of young players coached by Eric Harrison.

1995: Purchase of house in Worsley

In 1995, David Beckham bought a four-bedroom house in Worsley directly from the property developer as a 20-year-old.

August 1996: Spectacular Goal Against Wimbledon

On August 17, 1996, during the first day of the Premier League season, David Beckham scored a spectacular goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon, catapulting him to household name status.

1997: Dating Victoria Adams

In 1997, David Beckham started dating Victoria Adams after she attended a Manchester United match. She was known as "Posh Spice" of the pop music group Spice Girls.

January 1998: Engagement to Victoria Adams

On 24 January 1998, David Beckham proposed to Victoria Adams in a restaurant in Cheshunt, England. Their relationship was highly publicized, and they were dubbed "Posh and Becks" by the media.

1998: Rebuilding reputation after 1998 World Cup

After the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham focused on rebuilding his reputation with the help of Victoria.

March 1999: Birth of son Brooklyn Joseph

On 4 March 1999, David and Victoria Beckham's first son, Brooklyn Joseph, was born in London.

July 1999: Marriage to Victoria Adams

On 4 July 1999, David Beckham married Victoria Adams at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland. The ceremony, officiated by the Bishop of Cork, Paul Colton, involved 437 staff, cost an estimated £500,000 and was covered exclusively by OK! Magazine.

1999: Tattoo Idea

In 1999, David Beckham got the idea to get tattoos after his son Brooklyn was born, following a conversation with Mel B and her then-husband, Jimmy Gulzar.

1999: Marriage to Victoria Beckham

In 1999, David Beckham married Victoria Beckham, a highly publicized event that marked the beginning of their relationship.

1999: Purchase of "Beckingham Palace"

In 1999, shortly after his wedding, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham bought a country house set in 24 acres (10 hectares) in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, which the media nicknamed "Beckingham Palace".

September 2002: Birth of son Romeo James

On 1 September 2002, David and Victoria Beckham's second son, Romeo James, was born in London.

2002: Beckham at the 2002 Commonwealth Games

In 2002, David Beckham escorted Kirsty Howard at the opening ceremony of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

2002: Metrosexual Hailed

In 2002, David Beckham was hailed as the ultimate "metrosexual" by the man who invented the term and has been described as such by numerous other articles since.

January 2004: Sleeping Film Recorded

In January 2004, artist Sam Taylor-Johnson recorded David Beckham sleeping in a hotel room in Madrid, which was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in London.

July 2004: Intruder at Beckham Home

In July 2004, while David Beckham was in pre-season training, an intruder carrying a can of petrol scaled the wall at his family home in Spain, where Victoria and their children were present. Security guards apprehended the man before he reached the house.

February 2005: Birth of son Cruz David

On 20 February 2005, David and Victoria Beckham's third son, Cruz David, was born in Madrid.

2005: Appointed UNICEF Ambassador

In 2005, David Beckham became a UNICEF ambassador, using his platform to advocate for children's rights and well-being.

2006: Legs Insured

In 2006, Lloyd's of London insured David Beckham's legs for £100m.

January 2007: Announcement of Beckham joining LA Galaxy

In January 2007, it was confirmed that David Beckham would leave Real Madrid in six months to join the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS). On 11 January 2007, the speculation surrounding his new contract in Madrid ended, and the following day, Beckham held his official press conference in conjunction with the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.

April 2007: Purchase of Beverly Hills Home

In April 2007, David Beckham and his wife Victoria purchased a US$18.2 million home on San Ysidro Drive in Beverly Hills.

July 2007: Signs with LA Galaxy

In July 2007, David Beckham signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy, a move widely seen as a historic transfer for football in America.

July 2007: Arrival in Los Angeles

In July 2007, David and Victoria Beckham arrived in Los Angeles, met by paparazzi and news reporters at Los Angeles International Airport. A welcoming party was held for the couple at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, attended by numerous A-list celebrities.

2007: Alex Ferguson Comments on Beckham's Marriage

In 2007, Alex Ferguson commented on how David Beckham's marriage into the entertainment scene had changed him, noting that football became a smaller part of his life due to his celebrity status.

2007: Contract with LA Galaxy

In 2007, David Beckham signed the contract with the LA Galaxy that stipulated his option to buy a MLS expansion team for US$25 million.

2007: Interview about Childhood Dreams

In a 2007 interview, David Beckham recounted his childhood dream of becoming a footballer, which he consistently expressed to his teachers.

2008: Beijing Olympics Handover

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony, David Beckham, Jimmy Page, and Leona Lewis represented Britain during the handover segment for the 2012 Olympics. Beckham rode a London double-decker bus into the stadium and Page and Lewis performed "Whole Lotta Love".

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2008: Acquisition of the nickname "Golden Balls"

In 2008, David Beckham acquired the nickname "Golden Balls" after Victoria revealed it on national TV while praising him for rebuilding his reputation after the 1998 World Cup.

2008: Beckham expresses his desire to play for England

In 2008, David Beckham stated his desire to continue to play for England after his move to Major League Soccer.

2009: Malaria No More Launch

David Beckham is a founding member of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council and helped launch the charity in 2009 with Andy Murray at Wembley Stadium.

May 2010: Visit to Afghanistan

In May 2010, David Beckham visited Afghanistan for a morale-boosting visit to British troops fighting the Taliban insurgency.

July 2011: Birth of daughter Harper Seven

On 10 July 2011, David and Victoria Beckham's daughter, Harper Seven, was born in Los Angeles.

May 2012: White House visit

In May 2012, Beckham and his victorious teammates were received by President Barack Obama at the White House.

2012: London Olympics Opening Ceremony

In 2012, David Beckham featured at the Summer Olympics opening ceremony, carrying the Olympic flame to the stadium by speedboat.

2012: Beckham announces retirement

In 2012–13 season, Beckham was given specially designed boots in the colours of the Union Jack to wear in his final game. These boots had the names of his wife and children stitched on them.

May 2013: Retirement from Professional Football

In May 2013, David Beckham retired from professional football after a 20-year career, following a stint at Paris Saint-Germain.

May 2013: Beckham announces retirement

On May 16, 2013, David Beckham announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the French football season. He wore specially designed boots in his final game and captained his final home game on May 18, assisting a goal before being subbed off to a standing ovation.

2013: Acting Skills Critique

In 2013, British magazine Marketing Week wrote of David Beckham's "somewhat limited acting skills".

2013: Charity Donation

In 2013, David Beckham donated all his £3.4 million salary from Paris Saint-Germain to two children's charities in France.

February 2014: Exercising option to buy MLS expansion team

On 5 February 2014, MLS announced that David Beckham had exercised his option to buy a MLS expansion team for US$25 million, as part of his contract with the LA Galaxy signed in 2007.

November 2014: Paddington Bear Statue

In November 2014, David Beckham designed a Paddington Bear statue, one of fifty created by various celebrities which were located around London prior to the release of the film Paddington. The statues were auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

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2014: Sale of "Beckingham Palace"

In 2014, David and Victoria Beckham sold their country house in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, which the media nicknamed "Beckingham Palace".

2014: MLS Announces Beckham's Ownership of Inter Miami

In 2014, MLS announced that David Beckham and a group of investors would own Inter Miami, marking his transition into team ownership.

2015: GQ Best Dressed

David Beckham was named one of GQ's 50 best dressed British men in 2015.

2015: Launches 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund

In 2015, David Beckham launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund, furthering his commitment to supporting children in need.

2016: Brexit Opposition

During the 2016 EU referendum, David Beckham voiced his opposition to Brexit.

2016: Purchase of barn in the Cotswolds

In 2016, David Beckham and his wife purchased a barn in the Cotswolds, where they have been involved in beekeeping, animal husbandry, and farming since 2020.

2016: Hopes of Miami-based team beginning play

In 2016, the ownership group led by Beckham hoped that the Miami-based team would begin play in 2016 or 2017, but was delayed due to stadium issues.

2017: Hopes of Miami-based team beginning play

In 2017, the ownership group led by Beckham hoped that the Miami-based team would begin play in 2016 or 2017, but was delayed due to stadium issues.

January 2018: Approval of Miami-based team

In January 2018, after stadium deal delays, MLS announced that David Beckham's Miami-based team had been approved and would likely begin play in 2020.

June 2018: World Cup Endorsement

Prior to the June 2018 vote by FIFA member nations for selecting the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, David Beckham endorsed the North American bid (Canada, Mexico and the United States).

January 2019: Joining Salford City as part owner

In January 2019, it was announced that David Beckham was set to join his Class of '92 teammates as part owner of English non-league club Salford City, taking 10% of the club previously held by Peter Lim. On 31 January, the Football Association approved him to become a director of the club.

March 2020: Inter Miami's MLS debut

On 1 March 2020, Club Internacional de Futbol Miami (Inter Miami), owned by David Beckham, made its MLS debut with a 1–0 away loss to Los Angeles.

2020: Inter Miami Begins Playing

In 2020, Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, began playing, realizing his long-term vision for the club.

2020: Involvement in beekeeping, animal husbandry, and farming

Since 2020, David Beckham has been actively involved in beekeeping, animal husbandry, and farming at the barn they bought in the Cotswolds in 2016.

September 2022: Queueing to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state

In September 2022, David Beckham queued for 12 hours to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state at Westminster Hall.

2026: World Cup Endorsement

Prior to the June 2018 vote by FIFA member nations for selecting the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, David Beckham endorsed the North American bid (Canada, Mexico and the United States).