Ben Stokes has grabbed all the attention with his decision to opt for bowling first during the India vs England Test series 2025. Ben Stokes is the captain of England, and his decision to bowl has sparked a debate as India has taken full advantage of the same. Amid this, let’s have a look at Ben Stokes’ beautiful love story with Clare Ratcliffe, which began with a Facebook friend request and flourished into a romantic fairy-tale like novel. So, let’s dive deep into Stokes and Clare’s beautiful love story.
Who is Ben Stokes’ wife, Clare Ratcliffe?
Ben Stokes and his wife, Clare Ratcliffe have been together for several years now. The duo has been each other’s support system throughout their careers. Talking about Clare’s early life, she grew up in East Brent, Somerset, United Kingdom. On the professional front, she is a teacher. Clare completed her PGCE degree in Taunton, and then she started working as a primary teacher in Somerset. Clare jokingly describes herself as a ‘cricket widow’ for that matter. She also calls herself a mom of two ‘monsters’. Well, Calre has been Ben’s cheerleader throughout his career and supported him in all his ups and downs. Ben Stokes, time and again, has credited his wife for her unwavering support for him.
Ben Stokes and Clare Ratcliffe’s love story: A Facebook friend request, followed by a long-distance relationship
Ben Stokes and Clare Ratcliffe’s relationship is what we call a ‘digital love story’ in today’s time. It was in 2010 when she was out to watch the Lancashire vs. Durham match at Old Trafford. It was during that time that Clare noticed Ben Stokes, and he did the same. Following this, Clare sent him a friend request on Facebook, which he accepted, and their conversation began, sparking a real connection. Many might not know, but it was in 2010 when Clare asked Ben if they were ‘girlfriend and boyfriend’. And this led Ben to change his FB status from ‘single’ to ‘in a relationship’. Talking about the same, Ben once said:
“That makes things official, doesn’t it? Well, it did as far as we were concerned. I am an instinct kind of person: being with Clare felt right.”
Clare’s dad has been a cricket fan, and reportedly, he always had the feeling that his daughter would marry a cricketer only. Well, her dad’s intuition hinted at something right and real. During the initial days of their bond, the duo was in a long-distance relationship. While Clare was studying for her PGCE in Taunton, Ben was in Durham. Well, five months after the same, they made their relationship official with Ben’s ‘in a relationship’ status on FB.
Ben Stokes and Clare Ratcliffe’s engagement, marriage and parenthood
Ben Stokes remained stunned when, in 2012, he got a sudden phone call from Clare, delivering him the information that she might be pregnant with his child. Ben revealed that it was shocking news for him, given his young age. And he was also worried about what both of their parents might think. However, all his scary feelings went away when Clare took a positive pregnancy test on Mother’s Day. Talking about the same, Ben stated:
“I was still young, we lived hundreds of miles apart and I was still living out of a suitcase.”
In 2012, the couple welcomed their son, Layton, and as Ben described, it changed him as a human being and turned him into a ‘complete family man’. Back then, Ben was just 21 years old. It was in 2013, when after the passing of Clare’s father due to cancer, Ben proposed to her. The couple announced the same in the Somerset local paper and started living together.
In the next year, in 2014, they welcomed their baby girl, Libby. It was in 2017 when Ben and Clare tied the knot. The duo’s wedding took place at St Mary the Virgin Church in East Brent, Somerset, in the presence of a total of 400 guests, including famous cricketers. Ben looked handsome in a grey suit with a navy waistcoat, while Clare looked like a dream in a sheen white wedding gown.
Well, Ben Stokes and Clare’s love story is all things adorable, and they are the perfect example of what we know as ‘childhood sweethearts turned forever’. Isn’t it?
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