Simon Fuller, the English entrepreneur known for managing the Spice Girls in the 1990s and later creating American Idol, is reportedly heading for divorce.
On Friday, it was revealed that his wife, Natalie Swinston, has filed for divorce, marking the end of their long marriage.
Legal Documents Filed Just Weeks Before 17th Anniversary
The divorce filing comes just three weeks before what would have been the couple’s 17th wedding anniversary.
Swinston, who is seeking alimony, has also requested the court prevent Fuller from seeking spousal support.
The couple shares three children: a 14-year-old daughter named Grace and nine-year-old twins.
Swinston is asking for joint legal custody of their children, according to reports from TMZ.
Prenuptial Agreement and Grounds for Divorce
Fuller and Swinston reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement before their extravagant wedding in Napa Valley in 2009.
Swinston filed for divorce on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences,” with the couple’s official separation date being listed as the day she submitted the legal documents.
A Star-Studded Wedding and Close-Knit Marriage
Fuller and Swinston’s wedding was a glamorous affair, with notable celebrities like the Spice Girls, Claudia Schiffer, Leona Lewis, and Annie Lennox in attendance.
In a joint interview with Harper’s Bazaar a year after their wedding, Fuller shared that one of the keys to their successful marriage was how rarely they were apart.
“We are lucky enough to have houses all over the world, so when we travel, we can still have a home life. It never feels like I am traveling for work,” he explained.
Fuller’s Rise to Fame and Career Achievements
Fuller first gained fame in the 1990s as the manager of the Spice Girls, where he became known as the group’s “Svengali.”
In 2001, he created Pop Idol, a short-lived British reality competition series, but it was the American version, American Idol, that catapulted him to global fame, becoming a television juggernaut that has captivated audiences for years.
Fuller’s career expanded beyond reality TV, as he managed a stellar lineup of musical talent, including Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Lisa Marie Presley.
He also managed top athletes, such as tennis star Andy Murray and racing legend Lewis Hamilton.
Partnership with David Beckham: A Decade of Success
Perhaps one of Fuller’s most iconic partnerships was with David Beckham, the soccer legend and husband of his former Spice Girl client, Victoria Beckham.
Fuller worked alongside Beckham in numerous business ventures, from whiskey and fashion to leisure and sports.
The two played a pivotal role in transforming the Beckham family into the global powerhouse known as “Brand Beckham.”
After more than a decade of collaboration, the relationship between Fuller and Beckham came to an end in 2018.
Beckham reportedly bought out his manager for £38 million, signaling the close of a significant chapter in both their careers.