For some, the prospect of ageing is a sobering thought.
Not so Victoria Beckham, whose milestone 50th birthday culminated in a raucous private party surrounded by A-list friends and family at members-only club Oswalds in Mayfair.
Famed for her trademark pout, the former Spice Girl admits the only thing that’s changed with age is her increasingly positive glow – an indication that age and experience has made her more comfortable with the pressures of fame.
She told Sunday Times Style: ‘I looked at some pictures of myself recently and was really struck by how happy I looked.
‘In the past I’ve always looked at those red carpet pictures of me and seen a woman who looks nervous and insecure. Everyone else saw a woman who looked grumpy and stern — I suppose that’s how I got the reputation of being such a miserable cow.’
For some, the prospect of ageing is a sobering thought. Not so Victoria Beckham, who says she is less nervous and insecure than she was in her younger years
Now a successful fashion designer with an established global brand, Victoria adopts a philosophical outlook towards turning 50 while looking forward to what lies ahead.
‘I’m excited about the future,’ she said. ‘The thing with ageing is that it is what it is.
‘I always remember Marc Jacobs saying to me when he turned 60 that it was better than the alternative of not turning 60. It’s good advice!
‘But generally I feel good about things. I have better opportunities now than I did when I was younger.’
Victoria has enjoyed a week of near constant celebrations after ushering in her 50th year on April 17, with husband David whisking her off to the South of France on a private jet.
The fashion designer and the retired footballer, 48, then took a chaffeur-driven car to £200-a-head restaurant in Saint-Paul de Vence on the French Riviera, believed to be the famous La Colombe d’Or.
The couple were said to be joined by their four children along with Victoria’s parents Jackie and Tony and were later flown back to Luton Airport.
A source told The Sun: ‘David chose somewhere incredibly remote.
‘The restaurant regularly hosts A-list celebrities during the Cannes Film Festival so none of the Riviera locals bat an eyelid when they see a celebrity.
‘Victoria had an amazing fine wine-fuelled afternoon, soaking up the rays al fresco, overlooking the Med and enjoying her favourite white fish.’
Paying tribute to his wife in an Instagram post, David wrote: ‘Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife… As you head into this birthday you should look back and be proud of what you have accomplished , achieved & what you have built , Posh spice , business woman & of course marrying an England captain.’
‘But your biggest success are your children , you guide them , love them & teach them… They love you beyond words , we all love you so much.’
