Peter Schmeichel, a household name among Manchester United supporters and football aficionados worldwide, is once again under the spotlight this weekend as he makes his return to UK television screens, this time stepping into a managerial role for Soccer Aid’s World XI team. However, it is not just his return to Old Trafford that is capturing public interest—his personal life has also taken a significant turn in the past decade.
Schmeichel, revered as one of football’s finest goalkeepers thanks to his years of service at Manchester United—the pinnacle being the club’s iconic treble-winning year in 1999—called time on his lengthy playing career shortly after scaling those dizzying heights. While his subsequent, and somewhat contentious, transfer to Manchester City in 2002 remains a point of lively debate among supporters, time has largely healed old wounds. Former teammate Gary Neville, who famously ignored Schmeichel in the tunnel during a heated Manchester derby, joins him this weekend on the opposing side, with all signs pointing to a thawing of that frosty reception.
While fans may recall an era when Schmeichel’s wife, Bente, was a regular fixture at his matches, a lot has changed since those heady days. The pair, having met in their youth, spent three decades together and raised two children, Cecile and Kasper—a name that echoes through English football owing to Kasper’s own Premier League triumph with Leicester City. However, in 2013, after years in the public eye, Schmeichel announced the couple’s separation after 31 years of marriage.
In an emotional public statement at the time, Schmeichel acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting, “We agree that our family has the highest priority, and we hope that the media will respect our privacy.” He chose not to elaborate on the reasons for the split, but sources close to the family suggested it was amicable, reached after realising their relationship had gradually altered over time.
Following this difficult chapter, Schmeichel embarked on a new journey. In 2014 he began a relationship with Laura von Lindholm, a Danish former Playboy model who has since established herself as a nutritionist. The couple’s early days were deliberately shielded from the public gaze, as Schmeichel sought to keep their romance private while they adjusted to their new reality together. Speaking candidly on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs, Schmeichel recounted the amusing moment when Laura, at that point unfamiliar with his level of fame, witnessed strangers recognising him despite his attempts at a low profile. “How famous are you?” she joked, having underestimated his renown.
Interestingly, Laura’s familiarity with football was minimal—something she made light of initially—until various episodes, like a chance encounter with a star-struck Phil Collins at a Champions League final, brought home just how far her new partner’s reputation extended. These anecdotes revealed a more personal and humorous side to the couple’s story, providing a glimpse into how they navigated Schmeichel’s public persona.
Their relationship was not entirely smooth sailing, however. After a period apart in 2017, the duo rekindled their partnership and, having found their footing once more, decided to tie the knot in 2019. The wedding was a notable affair in Denmark, with 200 guests gathering at the Egebaeksvang Church in Espergaerde, Copenhagen—a nod to Schmeichel’s roots as well as Laura’s.
Nowadays, Schmeichel’s professional commitments keep him frequently on the move across Europe, particularly through his regular Champions League analysis with CBS Sports, yet he maintains a base in Denmark. Laura, who has transitioned from her modelling career to focus on health and nutrition, is a constant presence at his side and an important part of his support system.
This weekend, as Schmeichel takes the reins of Soccer Aid’s World XI at Old Trafford—a ground steeped in personal and professional memories—he does so with the encouragement of a new partner and an outlook shaped by both triumph and transition. It marks not just a homecoming in footballing terms, but a testament to the chapters of change that come with life in and out of the beautiful game.
For Manchester United faithful and neutral viewers alike, Schmeichel’s story underscores the multifaceted nature of sporting legends: celebrated for their achievements on the pitch, but equally human in the trials and reinventions encountered off it.