SHE burst on to the pop scene 28 years ago as one fifth of the all-singing, all-dancing Spice Girls.
On Wednesday, Victoria Beckham turns 50 — no longer, perhaps, a “Girl” — but indisputably one of the most successful and influential women on the planet.
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The big day itself will be celebrated with family — husband David and the couple’s four kids, Brooklyn, 25, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 12 — at their sprawling Cotswolds estate.
And next Saturday she has hired an exclusive central London private member’s restaurant, where she will be joined by a tight-knit group of 40 friends and colleagues.
Alas, any photographers clamouring around outside hoping for a glimpse of a Spice Girls reunion may be sorely disappointed — only a “couple” of Posh Spice’s old bandmates are expected to attend.
There is no theme, besides “smart-casual”, and Victoria — ever the astute businesswoman — will be clad head to toe in her own designs fresh from her autumn/winter ’24 collection.
Champagne, tequila and a selection of fine wines including her favourite Chateau Mouton Rothschild, a snip at £3,000, will be on hand.
Last night a source said: “For someone as starry and well-connected as Victoria Beckham, you might expect a suitably extravagant 50th birthday party.
But the reality is, at this stage of her life she has nothing to prove and is never happier than when she is surrounded by her close family and friends.
“She’s having two bashes, one on the day itself, a small intimate private dinner with family, and then a sit-down dinner with around 40 guests.
“Which, for a girl from Goff’s Oak, Herts, is suitably Posh.
‘She’s never been fitter’
“She’ll be presented with a huge cake after dinner and that’s about as extravagant as it’ll get. David will make a funny but touching speech and there will be photos of Victoria through the decades — all flattering — dotted around.
“It’s going to be a really special night, and she is super excited.”
Guests expected to attend include Gordon and Tana Ramsay, Eva Longoria, Emma Bunton, Mel C and J-Lo’s singer ex Marc Anthony.
David’s best mate Dave Gardner will be there, and her trusty hairdresser, Ken Paves, will be tasked with delivering the “glam”.
An Italian chef will feed the 40 — expect Dover sole and steamed broccoli to feature — beneath the high-ceilinged, chandelier-heavy interiors.
Her personal trainer, Bobby Rich, will not only be there but he is likely to have trained the fitness fanatic in the morning, ahead of the big day.
The club is beloved of the great and good of high society and the location testament to just how far Victoria has come.
A host of former PM’s are members and it’s a regular haunt of superstar actors, singers and even some royals.
There is also a cigar room, should Posh fancy one after dinner.
Fifty is something to be celebrated, this year will mark a real turning point in her professional life too
Victoria’s pal
While she may now be “super excited” for the big bash, that is not to say — like the majority of women — she hasn’t struggled internally with turning 50.
A pal adds: “Obviously Victoria is human. No one dreams of hitting the big 5-0, and certainly she’s had to come to terms with this milestone.
“But nowadays it’s not the big deal it was once upon a time, just look at Jennifer Lopez, 54, Jennifer Aniston, 55, and Naomi Campbell, 53.
“Victoria has never been fitter in her life and looks incredible thanks to weekly facials and a skin regime to rival anyone. She is also as fiercely ambitious as always and has more incredibly exciting work lined up than ever before.
“Fifty is something to be celebrated, this year will mark a real turning point in her professional life too.”
Certainly she’s not slowing down in her sixth decade.
According to pals, her milestone birthday year will see Victoria busier than ever, taking on more projects and working gruelling 14-hour days.
Her eponymous fashion brand — which, for 13 long years made a loss year after year — is now turning over a healthy profit.
Revenue is up 50 per cent and, thanks to canny marketing — she films her own content from her bedroom, thus saving hundreds of thousands on advertising and PR — has limited overheads.
Latest financial accounts showed she netted £200,000 over the course of 2022, which is set to double by this time next year.
Her signature £30 Satin Kajal eyeliner from her beauty brand, which comes in 16 colours, has been hailed as the “perfect piece of make-up” by fans.
Her inspired make-up tutorials have become a hit on TikTok, opening up her label to an entirely new generation.
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She may be turning 50, but Gen Z worship her perfectly kohled eyes.
A source added: “This year will be huge for Victoria Beckham Inc. She wants to take the House of Victoria Beckham to the next level, with her fragrance line joining that of fashion and beauty.
“Her online beauty brand is struggling to keep up with demand and that is only going to increase this year. Her clutch handbag — worn on the hand — has inspired a raft of copy-cats from other designers and every A-lister in town is clamouring to be seen on a red carpet in a VB frock.
“Her work ethic has always been ferocious and she is loving being a businesswoman.”
Of course, on a personal level, Victoria’s stock has never been higher either.
For years, and after the Spice Girls broke up, she was derogatorily dismissed as a Wag.
A social media icon
And while former England captain David was seen as the poster boy of Team Beckham, for years it was Victoria who was quietly keeping their gravy train going.
Despite her success, she has always been quite shy when it comes to publicity.
While David was happy to plug his brands, and was seen by millions as the “approachable” one of the duo, last year’s Netflix documentary on the ex-footballer showed VB in a whole new light and won her a fresh fanbase.
Her witticisms and self-deprecating turn of phrase have made her something of a social media icon.
And a meme of her insisting she was working class, only for David to poke his head through the door and demand she reveal what car she was driven to school in — a Rolls-Royce — quickly went viral.
Now she is in talks to feature in a documentary of her own.
It is sure to be a global smash.
This summer will also mark the couple’s 25-year wedding anniversary— and they have never seemed happier, or more (sickeningly) in love.
Talk of the couple renewing their vows have been dismissed, but another big bash could well be on the cards this summer.
‘Living her best life’
This year is also the 30th anniversary of the Spice Girls — and despite relentless Mel B’s best efforts, a formal reunion with all five women seems unlikely.
They will, however, do something “low key” later this year.
A friend adds: “Victoria will always be a Spice Girl, and is incredibly proud of the group’s history. They have a WhatsApp group where ideas for one-off performances are bandied around and, for Victoria, it’s a case of ‘never say never’.
“But for now, she’s focusing on her own work, and in the words of Gen Z, living her best life.
“Fifty promises to be the most exciting year yet — and there’s a lot for fans to get excited about that will get unveiled in the coming weeks and months.”
Until then, let’s all raise a toast to Mrs Beckham and her half-century.
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