Beyoncé and Jay Z

The ‘Crazy In Love’ singer and Jay Z were "friends first for a year and a half" before they became lovers, something which Beyoncé has insisted was crucial for their relationship.

Beyoncé was 18 when she first met Jay Z in 2000 who was 30 at the time but didn’t begin to date him until 2001 before they secretly wed in 2008.

The couple have have been married for almost 15 years and they have three children; Blue Ivy, 10, and five-year-old twins Rumi and Sir.