The Manchester United icon has launched a new business after amassing a huge personal fortune alongside his wife Victoria
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: David Beckham attends day one of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Beckham has amassed a vast personal fortune over the years(Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images)
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Manchester United icon David Beckham has shared his delight at launching his latest business venture in the United States, having made an unexpected career change since hanging up his boots.
The 50-year-old former England captain, who retired from professional football in 2013, discovered beekeeping during the COVID-19 lockdown five years ago and the hobby rapidly developed into something much more significant. The passion project has now evolved into a fully-fledged commercial enterprise, with the Manchester United legend establishing his own honey-based snack company called Bee Up.
Designed for youngsters as a nutritious substitute for traditional sweets, the products have now arrived on American shop floors, going on sale at major retailer Target. Understandably, Beckham was thrilled to see his goods on display and he marked the moment with an Instagram post of him stood in front of a packed shelf, which he captioned: "Swipe to see how excited I am seeing @beeupsnacks in @target".
Announcing the venture earlier this year, the former Three Lions captain explained: "My love of beekeeping and making my own honey began as a hobby and quickly grew into a passion. I built the hives with my sons, learned how to care for the bees, and mastered the art of harvesting one of nature's most powerful superfoods.
"As a father and former athlete, it's always been important to me to give my kids wholesome alternatives to sweets. That's why I created BEEUP-a new snack brand rooted in honey, my love for family, and active living.
"Whether it's early mornings, after-school sports, or weekend adventures, BEEUP delivers better energy-one delicious bite at a time. This time-tested superfood tastes delicious and provides the energy kids need - perfect for fueling up before practice, lessons, or games."
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Beckham discussed his passion for beekeeping whilst being filmed for the Netflix documentary series about his life, which was released in 2023. The opening scenes of the series featured him collecting honey from a beehive at his lavish Cotswolds estate, while his wife Victoria looked on and playfully suggested he market the honey as 'DB Sticky Stuff'.
The football legend is, of course, no stranger to commercial enterprises, having built an enormous personal wealth through various strategic moves beyond the football pitch, supplementing the vast fortune he made during his playing career. The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, published earlier this year, revealed that Beckham and ex-Spice Girl Victoria boast a staggering combined fortune of £500 million.
Business Insider reports that the former United and Real Madrid midfielder had amassed an impressive $800 million (£587 million) by the time he retired 12 years ago. At his peak, he commanded the highest salary in world football, whilst his five-year deal with LA Galaxy signed in 2008 would equate to approximately £190 million today.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the Netflix 'Beckham' UK Premiere at The Curzon Mayfair on October 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Together, David and Victoria have a combined fortune of around half a billion pounds
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However, Beckham has also significantly boosted his personal wealth through a series of profitable sponsorships and business deals, collaborating with major brands such as Emporio Armani, Gillette, PepsiCo, H&M, Breitling and Adidas over the years. Additionally, he's launched his own line of fragrances and lent his name to a range of products from sunglasses to video games.
The Netflix documentary is thought to have netted the former footballer around £20 million alone, while in 2023 he amassed an impressive £72.6 million thanks to his sponsorships and production company. He also inked a 10-year deal to serve as an ambassador for Qatar, which reportedly earned him around £125 million from the country.
However, the crowning glory of Brand Beckham is his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami. When Beckham negotiated his move to LA Galaxy in 2007, he was offered the option to purchase an expansion team in any market for just $25 million. Today, with superstars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the squad, the franchise is now believed to be valued at over $1 billion, doubling in worth between 2023 and 2024.
In addition to earning astronomical sums from his various ventures, Beckham is no stranger to lavish spending, owning over a dozen properties that make up his remarkable portfolio, estimated to be worth around £70 million. This includes a luxury penthouse in Miami, purchased for £17.5 million, as well as a London townhouse valued at approximately £30 million.
The ex-footballer also boasts a 130-foot superyacht, which reportedly cost him around £16 million, and his car collection is estimated to be worth over £2 million in total.