Financial mess: Lynne Beckham puts out the bin at her Essex home last week as it emerges that she is claiming benefits David Beckham was said to be 'baffled and upset' yesterday after it emerged that his oldest sister is claiming state benefits.
The footballer, 35, who has an estimated fortune of £125million, has always helped provide for Lynne, 38.
However, Miss Beckham is said to be in such dire financial straits that she is claiming £164 a week in handouts. She gets £68 a week in income support alongside £96 weekly tax credits.
Together: David Beckham with Lynne, her husband Colin and his other sister Joanne, right, at their 1999 weddingIn addition, the mother of three has a new live-in boyfriend - a man with a criminal record for violence.
A source close to the star said: 'David had no idea Lynne was on benefits. He bought her the house she lives in. He has always provided for her and her children.
'He has given her money and anything she needs, so he is clearly baffled and really quite upset.'
Relations between Beckham and his jobless sister have been strained over the years because of the footballer's disapproval of her estranged husband.
In 1998, feelings between the siblings chilled after her partner Colin Every was revealed to be selling cocaine from their home.
The couple married in 1999 and although Beckham attended the ceremony, his wife Victoria refused to go. Miss Beckham and Every, 42, are now in the midst of a bitter divorce.
Despite family rifts, the LA Galaxy player has always been financially generous towards his family.
Relations between David and his sister Lynne have been strained over the years due to the footballer's disapproval of her estranged husbandBeckham bought his sister her £250,000 four-bedroom home in Romford, Essex, 12 years ago. She lives there with her children Georgina, 12, Freddie, ten, and Josh, five, from her relationship with Every.
A source said Miss Beckham had already moved new boyfriend Kevin Briggs into her home - despite meeting him on Facebook only a few weeks ago.
Beckham, however, is said to be unaware of the brutal background of his sister's new man. He met Briggs when he and Victoria invited their family to a Whitney Houston concert in London last month.
Yesterday Briggs's ex-girlfriend, charity worker Lisa Gilbey, claimed that he was a violent alcoholic who had been jailed for eight months for beating her up. He faces prison again on Thursday for breaking a restraining order she had placed on him.
Miss Gilbey, who has a young son with Briggs, said: 'I know David is close to his sister, but I don't think he realises what sort of a man she has got herself involved with
Inner circle: Beckham remains close to his younger sister Joanne (pictured with his sons Brooklyn and Romeo in 2007), but his relationship with Lynne is strained'He is a nasty bit of work. When he is sober, he is fine, but when he has been drinking he turns into someone I don't recognise.'
Miss Gilbey said she finally left Briggs when he tried to throttle her after she refused to make him a sandwich. Briggs was jailed for common assault.
Beckham remains close to his younger sister, Joanne, 28, a part time hairdresser.
He also bought her a home, a £500,000 townhouse in Essex. The footballer once said: 'The only thing my Dad said to me was "look after your two sisters", and I always will.'
The revelations of his sister's financial problems mark the end of a bad week for Beckham.
He was left shocked by Fabio Capello's announcement that his England career was over, without being told first.
A spokesman for Beckham last night refused to comment, while Miss Beckham said: 'I have nothing to say.'
source: dailymail
