England star Jude Bellingham has expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mother, Denise, referring to her as a “queen” and highlighting her pivotal role in his journey to success. He noted that her influence is perhaps greater than that of his coaches, emphasizing her importance in his life.
Jude playfully revealed that Denise, 54, still makes his bed, which drew teasing from his teammates. Both she and his father, Mark, have provided a solid foundation for him as his career has soared. Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020 for £22.5 million after an impressive season with Birmingham City, where he became a local hero, even having his shirt number retired despite only playing 44 games.
The admiration for Bellingham in Birmingham is immense, especially after his standout performances in the Qatar tournament. A bridge in the city is set to be named after him as a testament to his impact.
While many young stars might be swayed by fame, Jude has remained grounded, thanks in part to his parents. Denise, who has a background in human resources, and Mark, a former police sergeant and non-league footballer, have played key roles in keeping him focused.
When Denise moved to Germany with Jude, Mark stayed behind with their other son, Jobe, who also plays professionally for Birmingham City. Jude and Denise currently share a flat, where she not only manages his household but also oversees his finances, allowing him to concentrate on his football career without distractions.
Jude credits much of his on-field success to his father’s influence. Although he later idolized stars like Wayne Rooney, it was Mark, who scored over 700 goals in non-league football, who inspired Jude’s initial passion for the game. Jude fondly recalled attending his father’s matches, where he was captivated by the atmosphere and the joy of scoring.
In his words, Jude stated, “My dad was my first footballing hero.” He shared how watching his father play ignited his love for the sport and shaped their relationship into one that blends fatherly guidance with a coach-player dynamic as he grew older.