Benjamin Jacques Marcel Pavard is a French professional footballer born on March 28, 1996, in Maubeuge, northern France. He grew up in nearby Jeumont before leaving home at a young age to enter Lille’s football academy.
Pavard is the only child of Frédéric and Nathalie Pavard. His father was a footballer and coach before working at a hospital, while his mother also worked in the healthcare sector. Benjamin is married to French actress and former beauty-pageant winner Kleofina Pnishi. The couple have one daughter, Lena Rose Pavard.
Who are Benjamin Pavard’s parents?
Benjamin Pavard’s parents are Frédéric Pavard and Nathalie Pavard. They raised their only son in Jeumont, a town in France’s Nord department near the Belgian border.
Frédéric and Nathalie played a major role in Benjamin’s development. When he joined Lille’s academy at nine years old, they regularly travelled approximately 100 kilometres between their home and Lille to support his training.
Pavard later lived with host families because the journey became too demanding. His parents remained closely involved in his education and football career despite their son living away from home.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s father, Frédéric Pavard?
Benjamin Pavard’s father is Frédéric Pavard. He played football as a defender for US Maubeuge in the French third division during the 1980s before coaching amateur teams in northern France.
Frédéric later worked as a warehouse employee at the Maubeuge hospital. He was at work in November 2017 when he learned that Benjamin had received his first call-up to the senior France national team.
Before Benjamin joined Lille, he played at US Jeumont under his father’s guidance. Frédéric’s experience as a defender helped his son understand positioning, discipline and the defensive side of football.
Although Frédéric supported Benjamin’s ambitions, he also understood the difficulties involved in becoming a professional player. He and Nathalie remained realistic while giving their son the practical support needed to pursue his opportunity.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s mother, Nathalie Pavard?
Benjamin Pavard’s mother is Nathalie Pavard. She reportedly worked as a secretary in a hospital in northern France.
Nathalie was closely involved in her son’s education. When Benjamin travelled to Lille for training, she helped him complete his schoolwork in changing rooms and other available spaces.
Her support allowed Pavard to balance his studies with an increasingly demanding football schedule. Even after he moved away from home, Nathalie and Frédéric remained important figures in his personal and professional life.
Both parents attended the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and celebrated after France defeated Croatia in the final. They later accompanied Benjamin when he returned to Jeumont as a world champion.
Does Benjamin Pavard have any siblings?
Benjamin Pavard does not have any brothers or sisters. He has publicly confirmed that he is an only child.
Being the couple’s only child made his departure for Lille’s academy particularly emotional for Frédéric and Nathalie. Pavard was still very young when he began spending significant periods away from his family.
Some unreliable biography websites refer to unnamed Pavard siblings, but established French sources consistently describe Benjamin as the only child of his parents.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s wife?
Benjamin Pavard’s wife is Kleofina Pnishi, a French actress, model and former beauty-pageant contestant of Kosovar-Albanian heritage.
Kleofina was born in Kosovo and moved to France with her family during childhood. She later studied journalism and communication in Aix-Marseille.
She was crowned Miss Provence in 2017 and subsequently represented the region during the Miss France 2018 competition. Kleofina has also worked as an actress and appeared in French television productions.
In 2019, she participated in the French adventure programme Pékin Express alongside fellow former beauty queen Julia Sidi-Atman.
How did Benjamin Pavard and Kleofina Pnishi meet?
Benjamin Pavard and Kleofina Pnishi reportedly began their relationship in 2022. They initially kept their romance away from extensive media attention.
Their relationship became more visible through occasional public appearances and social-media photographs. In July 2024, Pavard proposed during a trip to Sarandë, Albania.
The couple announced their engagement publicly, approximately one year before celebrating their wedding in Italy.
When did Benjamin Pavard marry Kleofina Pnishi?
Benjamin Pavard and Kleofina Pnishi married in July 2025 on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Their wedding celebrations took place between July 17 and July 19 in and around Ravello.
The celebrations included a civil ceremony in a historic abbey, a religious ceremony and a reception overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The couple publicly confirmed their marriage shortly afterwards.
Kleofina subsequently adopted the married name Pavard, although she continues to be professionally recognised by her birth name, Pnishi.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s former girlfriend?
Before his relationship with Kleofina Pnishi, Benjamin Pavard dated Rachel Legrain-Trapani, a French television personality who won Miss France 2007.
Pavard and Rachel were together during France’s successful campaign at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. She attended matches in Russia and supported him from the stands.
Their relationship reportedly began in early 2018 and ended in February 2019. They were never married and did not have any children together.
Does Benjamin Pavard have children?
Benjamin Pavard has one child with his wife, Kleofina Pnishi. Their daughter is named Lena Rose Pavard.
The couple announced in June 2026 that they were expecting their first child. They had kept most of the pregnancy private before sharing the news publicly.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s daughter, Lena Rose?
Lena Rose Pavard is the first child of Benjamin Pavard and Kleofina Pnishi. The couple announced her arrival through a joint social-media post on July 12, 2026.
Reports published after the announcement identified the baby by her full name, Lena Rose Pavard. She is Benjamin and Kleofina’s only publicly known child.
The parents have shared only limited information about their daughter, appropriately protecting her privacy while announcing the important family milestone.
How Benjamin Pavard’s parents supported his football career
Pavard began playing football with US Jeumont at approximately six years old. His father’s experience as a defender and coach gave him an early introduction to organised football.
After attracting attention from Lille and Lens, Pavard chose to join Lille’s academy. Frédéric and Nathalie made the long journey to training several times each week while continuing to work at the hospital.
When Pavard eventually moved closer to Lille and stayed with host families, his parents continued monitoring both his football and education. Their support helped him overcome the emotional challenge of leaving home as an only child.
Pavard progressed from Lille to VfB Stuttgart, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan before returning to France with Marseille. His parents remained visible supporters during important career moments, including France’s 2018 World Cup victory.
Frequently Asked Questions about Benjamin Pavard’s family
Who are Benjamin Pavard’s parents?
Benjamin Pavard’s parents are Frédéric and Nathalie Pavard. They raised him in Jeumont, northern France.
What does Benjamin Pavard’s father do?
Frédéric Pavard was a defender for US Maubeuge and later coached amateur football. He subsequently worked as a warehouse employee at Maubeuge hospital.
What does Benjamin Pavard’s mother do?
Nathalie Pavard reportedly worked as a hospital secretary. She also helped Benjamin manage his schoolwork while he attended football training.
Does Benjamin Pavard have a brother?
No. Benjamin Pavard is an only child and does not have a brother.
Does Benjamin Pavard have a sister?
No. Reliable French sources confirm that Pavard does not have any siblings.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s wife?
Benjamin Pavard’s wife is French actress, model and former Miss Provence Kleofina Pnishi.
When did Benjamin Pavard get married?
Pavard married Kleofina Pnishi during celebrations held on Italy’s Amalfi Coast in July 2025.
Who is Benjamin Pavard’s former girlfriend?
His former girlfriend is Rachel Legrain-Trapani, the winner of Miss France 2007. They dated between 2018 and 2019.
How many children does Benjamin Pavard have?
Benjamin Pavard has one child, a daughter named Lena Rose Pavard.
When was Benjamin Pavard’s daughter born?
Benjamin and Kleofina announced their daughter’s arrival on July 12, 2026. She was born in 2026, although the couple did not initially provide extensive birth details.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
