Joe Zen Robert Bell is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Viking FK and the New Zealand national team. Born on April 27, 1999, in Bristol, England, Bell moved to New Zealand with his family when he was approximately four years old.
Joe comes from a supportive English family with a strong appreciation for football. His parents are Richard and Caroline Bell. His father has worked in advertising, video and music production, while his mother is a psychiatrist. Joe is also publicly described as the oldest son in the family, although the identities of his younger siblings have not been reliably documented.
Who Is Joe Bell’s Girlfriend?
Joe Bell was publicly reported to be in a relationship with an American woman during his university years and the beginning of his Viking career. However, reliable reports did not disclose her name.
In 2019, Norwegian media reported that Bell had been holidaying with his girlfriend in Poland after captaining New Zealand at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. He interrupted the holiday when an opportunity arose to train with Viking.
When Bell permanently moved from the United States to Stavanger in January 2020, his girlfriend initially remained in America. An Aftenposten report later explained that the couple faced a difficult decision when international travel became restricted during the coronavirus pandemic.
More recent reliable reports have not confirmed whether Bell remains in the same relationship. Consequently, the identity of his current girlfriend or partner is not publicly established.
Is Joe Bell Married?
There is no trustworthy public evidence that Joe Bell is married. No wife has been mentioned in official Viking, New Zealand Football or FIFA profiles.
Although he was known to have a girlfriend during the early part of his professional career, their current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed. It would therefore be inaccurate to identify that unnamed partner as his wife.
Does Joe Bell Have Children?
No reliable source confirms that Joe Bell has children. The New Zealand midfielder has not announced becoming a father, and no son or daughter appears in established media coverage of his personal life.
Based on confirmed public information, Bell has no publicly known children.
Who Are Joe Bell’s Parents?
Joe Bell’s parents are Richard Bell and Caroline Bell. They are originally from England and moved their family to New Zealand when Joe was a young child.
The family lived in Wānaka and Christchurch. Their support became particularly important as Joe progressed from local youth football to the Wellington Phoenix academy, the University of Virginia and eventually professional football in Europe.
Who Is Joe Bell’s Father?
Joe Bell’s father is Richard Bell. Richard has worked as a businessman in advertising, video and music production. He has also volunteered considerable time to football and futsal organizations in Christchurch.
Richard played an active role in supporting Joe’s early development. When Joe joined Viking in January 2020, Richard accompanied him to Stavanger and was photographed with his son at the club’s stadium.
In a STRIVE 365 podcast interview, Richard discussed recognizing Joe’s talent, helping him move away from home at 15 and supporting him through the American college system. He also spoke about the challenges of helping a young athlete from a distance.
Richard’s involvement was not limited to watching matches. His background in local football and futsal allowed him to help create an environment in which Joe could develop before entering an elite academy.
Who Is Joe Bell’s Mother?
Joe Bell’s mother is Caroline Bell. According to a profile published by the University of Virginia, Caroline works as a psychiatrist.
Her profession helped inspire Joe’s interest in psychology. While studying at the University of Virginia, Bell explained that hearing his mother discuss the subject encouraged him to explore the relationship between psychology and sport.
Joe later continued studying psychology while playing professional football. His academic interest therefore represents an identifiable influence from his mother, beyond the general support she provided for his sporting career.
Does Joe Bell Have Siblings?
Yes. Joe Bell has at least one younger sibling. Richard Bell has publicly described Joe as his oldest son, confirming that Joe is not the family’s only child.
However, dependable sports profiles do not clearly identify Joe’s younger siblings by name. Some social-media posts show other family members supporting him at youth international tournaments, but they do not provide enough verified information to establish each person’s exact relationship to Joe.
For accuracy, Joe can be described as the oldest son in the Bell family, while the names and personal details of his siblings should remain unconfirmed.
Joe Bell’s English and New Zealand Family Background
Joe Bell was born in Bristol, England, and holds both British and New Zealand citizenship. His family moved to New Zealand when he was around four years old, and he was raised primarily in Wānaka and Christchurch.
Joe’s English family loved football, and he grew up admiring David Beckham. According to a profile from Scots College, that family enthusiasm helped make football a natural part of his childhood.
He began playing organized football for Ferrymead Bays at approximately eight years old. He later represented Nomads United and moved to Wellington at 15 to join the Wellington Phoenix academy while attending Scots College.
The move meant living away from his parents at a young age. Richard and Caroline nevertheless continued supporting him as he advanced through New Zealand youth football and accepted a scholarship at the University of Virginia.
How Joe Bell’s Family Supported His Career
Joe’s parents supported several major decisions that required him to leave home. The first came when he moved from Christchurch to Wellington as a teenager. The second involved relocating to the United States for university, while the third took him to Norway after signing for Viking.
The distance became especially difficult during the coronavirus pandemic. In May 2021, Bell told Eurosport that he had not seen his family in New Zealand for more than a year and a half because of travel restrictions.
Although the separation was challenging, Bell established a close connection with Viking and Stavanger. When he returned to the Norwegian club from Brøndby in 2023, he described the move as returning to his family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joe Bell’s Family
Who are Joe Bell’s parents?
Joe Bell’s parents are Richard and Caroline Bell. They moved from England to New Zealand when Joe was a young child.
What does Joe Bell’s father do?
Richard Bell has worked in advertising, video and music production. He has also volunteered with football and futsal organizations in Christchurch.
What does Joe Bell’s mother do?
Caroline Bell is a psychiatrist. Her profession helped inspire Joe’s interest in psychology and sports psychology.
Does Joe Bell have siblings?
Yes. His father has described him as the family’s oldest son, confirming that Joe has at least one younger sibling. Their identities have not been reliably documented.
Who is Joe Bell’s girlfriend?
Bell had an American girlfriend during his university years and when he first joined Viking, but reliable reports did not publish her name. His current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
Is Joe Bell married?
There is no reliable confirmation that Joe Bell is married.
Does Joe Bell have children?
No publicly available and trustworthy source confirms that Joe Bell has children.
Where was Joe Bell raised?
Bell was born in Bristol, England, but moved to New Zealand at around four years old. He grew up in Wānaka and Christchurch before moving to Wellington at 15.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
