Gary Lineker married his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, in 1986, the same year he moved from Leicester City to Everton. At the time, Lineker was at the peak of his career, having just won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. His success at Everton was immediate, as he became the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in his debut season.
Birth of His Sons
The couple’s first son, George, was born in 1992 while Gary was playing for Tottenham Hotspur. During this period, Lineker won his first and only major trophy in English football—the FA Cup in 1991 with Spurs. He also received his second FWA Footballer of the Year award that year, showcasing his continued excellence on the field.
Their other three sons—Harry, Tobias, and Angus—were born during different stages of Gary’s career:
- Harry was born in 1994, just as Gary was finishing his career with Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight.
- Tobias and Angus were born after Gary’s retirement from professional football in 1994.
Transition to Broadcasting
During his marriage to his first wife, Michelle, Gary transitioned from his football career to broadcasting. He began working as a football pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live and made his debut on Match of the Day in the late 1990s. Despite his professional success, Gary Lineker’s marriage faced difficulties, and after 20 years together, his wife Michelle filed for divorce in 2006, citing “unreasonable behavior.” The divorce came as Gary was establishing himself as a prominent sports broadcaster, becoming the lead presenter for BBC’s football coverage in 1999.
Second Marriage: Danielle Bux
Following his divorce from Michelle, Gary Lineker began dating his second wife, model Danielle Bux, in 2007. At this point, Gary was fully immersed in his broadcasting career, having hosted various shows including They Think It’s All Over and Match of the Day.
Danielle, born on June 15, 1979, in Cardiff, Wales, was 20 years younger than Gary. She had started her modeling career in 1999 and had appeared in numerous magazines such as Hello!, OK!, and Maxim. The couple married in 2009 in a beautiful ceremony in Italy.
During their marriage, Gary’s career continued to flourish. He became the BBC’s highest-paid presenter and expanded his role to include golf coverage. Meanwhile, his wife Danielle began to focus on her own career, making her acting debut in the stage production of Calendar Girls in 2011.
Divorce and Amicable Relationship
Despite their seemingly happy marriage, Gary Lineker and his wife Danielle announced their divorce in 2016. The split was reportedly due to differing views on starting a family. Gary, who already had four children from his previous marriage, was not keen on having more children, while Danielle desired to start a family.
Interestingly, Gary and his ex-wife Danielle have maintained an exceptionally close relationship even after their divorce. Gary has stated, “Danielle and I are best mates, we still speak three times a day, we text all the time. When she comes to London, she stays with me, and when I go to LA, I see her.” This amicable relationship extends to Gary’s children as well. In 2019, Gary’s son George publicly defended Danielle, dismissing rumors of hostility between her and the family.
Post-Divorce Relationship and Current Status
Since his divorce from his second wife Danielle Bux, Gary Lineker has remained single. In a 2021 interview with The Times, he expressed contentment with his current life, stating, “I like being on my own. I know it sounds a bit mad. I have lots of company. I’ve got lots of friends and I’ve also got my boys who come around a lot, and I cook for them. I don’t feel lonely.”
Throughout his relationships, including both marriages, Gary Lineker has continued to be a prominent figure in sports broadcasting. He remains the face of Match of the Day and has expanded his role to include coverage of major international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup.
In recent years, Gary has become increasingly outspoken on political and social issues, using his platform, especially social media, to speak out against racism, homophobia, and poverty. While this activism has led to some controversy, it has also cemented his status as more than just a sports personality.
Conclusion
Gary Lineker’s personal life has been as eventful as his professional career. From his 20-year marriage to his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, during the height of his football career, to his seven-year marriage to his second wife, Danielle Bux, during his broadcasting success, Gary has experienced the ups and downs of relationships in the public eye.
Now, as a single man in his 60s, he continues to balance his high-profile career with his role as a father and his activism, all while remaining open to future possibilities in both his personal and professional life.
