David Beckham
Businessman
One of the world's most recognisable faces, the retired footballer has collaborated with H&M and posed for Armani, and Belstaff.
David Beckham OBE, born 2 May 1975, is a retired English footballer who has played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and the England national team, for which he holds the appearance record for an outfield player. He is also widely known for being the face of various multinational corporations including Adidas, as well as his marriage with Victoria Beckham , making them both fashion icons.
In international football, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996, at the age of 21. He was captain for six years during which he played 58 times. He made 115 career appearances in total, appearing at three FIFA World Cup tournaments. Renowned for his range of passing and bending free kicks, he has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 he was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. Consistently ranked among the sport's highest earners, in 2013 Beckham was listed as the best paid player in the world, earning over $50 million in the previous 12 months.
Beckham became known as a fashion icon, and together with his wife Victoria became lucrative spokespeople sought after by clothing designers, health and fitness specialists, fashion magazines, perfume and cosmetics manufacturers, hair stylists, exercise promoters, and spa and recreation companies. Most recently, he designed a range of underwear and loungewear for fast fashion giant H&M, has starred with wife Victoria in advertisements for Armani and was announced as the new Ambassadorial president of the British Fashion Council . He has also launched a beauty line House 99 with L'Oréal.
He lives in London with Victoria Beckham and their four children.
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What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
ExploreWhat is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
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