Multiple former team-mates of David Beckham, including Wayne Rooney, have said the widespread assumption that Victoria Beckham has a cold and distant demeanour is far from reality. Accounts describe the former Spice Girl as welcoming, remarkably relaxed and funnier than her public image suggests.
Rooney recalls casual dinner at Beckhams' home
Rooney, who represented England alongside David for six years, discussed encountering Victoria on his podcast. He described dropping by the Beckhams' residence during David's time at Real Madrid in the mid-2000s, expecting fine dining but discovering a considerably more casual affair.
"I remember years ago we got invited to Becks' for dinner. It was me, Lamps [Frank Lampard] and a couple more players," Rooney recalled. "We went to his house, me and Coleen, we were only 19 or something. We were like, 'This is weird, what's happening here?'
"We sat there with Becks and Victoria having dinner, it was like... we were having kebabs. She's such a lovely woman and funny. A lot funnier than people think."
Bouncy castle moment with Victoria
Further testimony emerged from Carlos Pavon Jr, whose father previously played with Beckham at LA Galaxy. In 2007, the Beckhams threw a birthday celebration for one of their sons, featuring an inflatable bouncy castle.
Pavon Jr, aged 12 at the time, recalled bouncing around with one of the Beckham youngsters when Victoria surprisingly joined them. "I notice the kid's mum comes in, David's wife, Victoria," he said on the La Pelota Al DIEZ podcast. "She started jumping with us, and I was like, 'I can't believe I'm doing this with Victoria Beckham.' So I think that was the funniest thing.
"Everybody saw when she came in and started jumping with us, so when I came out, I think they all saw my surprised face, like, 'Wow, that just happened.' It was really funny."
From Spice Girls to fashion empire
Victoria has maintained her status as a household name since bursting onto the music landscape with the Spice Girls in 1996. After the band's break up in 2001, she transitioned into the fashion world, unveiling her debut collection in 2008, subsequently growing her empire to encompass high-end accessories.
Victoria's union with Real Madrid legend David has similarly stood the test of time, with the duo continuing to rank among the globe's most influential and affluent couples for nearly three decades. The couple went on to welcome four children: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.
The foundation of their lasting bond may well lie in those lighthearted instances that Rooney and Pavon Jr explored with David, who has previously acknowledged that his wife's sense of humour serves as the cornerstone of their enduring relationship.
