Jude Bellingham’s parents, Mark and Denise, have separated after more than 20 years of marriage.
The couple, long credited with guiding the extraordinary rise of their sons Jude and Jobe, have lived largely apart in recent years while supporting their children’s respective careers in Spain and Germany.
Sources close to the family confirmed the separation to the Daily Mail following increasing speculation about the state of their marriage.
The couple, who have been the driving force behind both sons’ footballing success, have spent much of the past five years living on different sides of Europe.
Jude, 22, is based in Madrid, where he stars for Real Madrid, while Jobe, 20, plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Rumours of strain began to circulate after the pair were photographed sitting apart during Dortmund’s recent match against Athletic Bilbao, where witnesses described a “tense atmosphere.”
Reports in the German media suggested they did not interact throughout the game, and insiders close to the family now say the marriage has formally come to an end.
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Mark and Denise Bellingham have played key roles in the footballing careers of their two children
|GETTY
The separation comes during a difficult period for both sons.
Jude, recovering from shoulder surgery, was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, while Jobe has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in any of his 12 league appearances this season.
Club insiders in Germany say concern is growing about the younger Bellingham’s well-being, with one source telling the newspaper: “It’s obvious to the management that Jobe is struggling with personal matters.
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Jude Bellingham has had a tough start to the season with Real Madrid
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“He has found it difficult to settle in Dortmund and spends most of his time alone at home. The tension within the family is clearly affecting his confidence and performances.”
Tensions between the family and Jobe’s club first surfaced earlier this season when Mark reportedly attempted to confront manager Niko Kovac after his son was substituted at half-time during Dortmund’s opening Bundesliga fixture.
The incident led to Mark being barred from the dressing room and prompted discussions with senior club officials.
Mark and Denise have been deeply involved in managing their sons’ careers from the outset.
Mark, a former West Midlands police sergeant, left the force in 2022 to act as his sons’ agent, overseeing transfers, sponsorships and contract negotiations.
Denise, who previously worked in human resources, manages their finances and the family’s business interests. Both remain listed as directors in several companies established to oversee the brothers’ commercial ventures.
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| REUTERSDespite their professional collaboration, the couple’s living arrangements reflected the sacrifices they made for their children.
When Jude moved from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 at just 17, Denise relocated to Germany to help him settle, while Mark stayed in England with Jobe.
Three years later, when Jude joined Real Madrid in a £113million transfer and Jobe signed for Sunderland, the family again split geographically, with Denise moving to Madrid and Mark joining Jobe in the North East.
Jude has often spoken of the pivotal role both parents have played in his development.
“Before being great parents, they’re great people,” he once said. “When you have people like that, you don’t have to be told how to behave. You pick it up from them — working hard and putting in the graft if you want something.”
Mark and Denise’s influence is woven throughout the brothers’ journey, from early days in Birmingham’s youth academies to Champions League nights in Madrid and Bundesliga fixtures in Germany. The split marks a significant turning point for the family at a time of transition for both sons.