BRITISH politician Grant Shapps is married to wife Belinda.
But who is she, when did they tie the knot, and do the couple share children? Here’s everything you need to know about the marriage of Grant and Belinda Shapps.
Grant Shapps pictured alongside wife BelindaGetty
Who is Grant Shapps’ wife Belinda?
Belinda is the wife of Grant Shapps – who was appointed Secretary of State for Defence on August 31, 2023, by Rishi Sunak.
He has previously served as Transport Secretary, Business Secretary, Home Secretary, Energy Secretary and was elected the Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield in 2005.
According to reports, Belinda is a humanistic integrative therapist.
A definition of her role states: ‘’Humanistic and integrative psychotherapists believe in their client’s ability to take responsibility for themselves and their choices, and their capacity to fulfil their talents.’’
Belinda also worked for the cluster-to-cash website AuctionGirl.co.uk in 2009.
Prior to finding her current career path, Shapps’ wife attended King David High School before studying at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Aside from this information, not much else is known about Belinda, with the politician’s wife appearing to keep her personal life out of the public eye.
When did Grant and Belinda Shapps get married?
Grant and Belinda tied the knot in 1997.
The couple had previously met in 1995 in a pub in Leeds – where at the time Grant was 26 and Belinda was 21.
At first, Belinda didn’t find a spark with Grant but weeks later she decided to get in touch with him, and from there, a romance blossomed.
She later relocated to London before the couple wed.
How many children does Grant Shapps have?
The couple share three children – a son named Hadley, and twins Tabytha and Noa.
Eldest son Hadley was born in 2001.
The couple later welcomed their twins into the world in 2004.
All three children were conceived through IVF after Grant froze his sperm following a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1999.
Shapps underwent a year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, before being told the treatment was successful a 12 months later.
In 2012, Mr Shapps hailed his wife for her support during that time, telling the Guardian: “She said to me, you can’t die, we’ve got too much to do together.
“She was brilliant.”
He also previously spoke of his fears of not being able to have children following his diagnosis.
Mr Shapps told the Express in 2014: “I was told I had cancer and would never have children.”
In July 2023, Grant Shapps shared a rare glimpse into his family’s life after he revealed that his wife and children had been victims of the de-banking scandal.
He told of how his entire family had all been blocked from getting accounts at major banks because he was a ‘politically exposed person’.
He said: “Every single member of my family – my wife, my brother and my sister. All different banks.
“It is difficulty in getting an account.
“My 19 year-old son, he’s just been sent an enormous letter, an enormous list of things that HSBC wants him to provide, which is as long as your arm and completely unreasonable…
“HSBC – the bank he has been with since he was a little kid – had asked him for a list as long as his arm about you know, what’s the source of your wealth and what’s this, what’s that.
“My oldest son is 22 and he was outright refused an account by one of the Challenger banks.
“The boss told him that it was because they have been told that they mustn’t allow open bank accounts for politically exposed people.
“It is mad.”
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
