[3] She was educated at the independent Redland High School for Girls[4] in Bristol, England, followed by Pembroke College, Oxford, where she gained a degree in metallurgy and materials science and a Blue in fencing.

She spent four years working as an investment banker for Citibank in London and Commerzbank in Frankfurt, Germany; consequently, she speaks fluent German and French.

[6] Beckett moved her young family to New York City while helping to present the World Business Report from an office in Times Square, but returned to London three years later.

[8] In November 2013, d'Olier Gibson appeared in Oxford magistrates' court after allegedly assaulting Beckett at their home during a discussion over their possible divorce.

[9] Convicted for his "sustained and drunken" attack on PC Walker, he was ordered to wear an electronic tag for two months and given a curfew.