David and Victoria Beckham Leading Separate Lives After 20 Years of Marriage (EXCLUSIVE)

A-lister Victoria Beckham is a very busy woman. Running a fashion empire, taking care of her four kids, and maintaining her chic image all require a lot of work. "I try really, really hard," the designer formerly known as Posh Spice confessed at the Forbes Women's Summit on June 19. "I try hardest to be the best mother. I am trying to be the best wife and the best professional. When I get home, I try to put the phone down and spend time with the children and spend time with David."

But In Touch has learned that she and her husband, soccer legend David Beckham, are having trouble keeping their marriage strong. "Victoria and David are leading separate lives," says a source. In the weeks leading up to their 19th wedding anniversary on July 4, their rep branded widespread rumors of an impending divorce "nonsense." But a second insider says friends "wouldn’t be surprised" if David, 43, and Victoria, 44, announce soon that they’re splitting, noting, "They have been able to make it work so far, but the cracks are showing."

For one thing, they’re often apart. "David is in LA a lot and often hangs out at private members’ clubs with his guy friends," says the source. "He’s also been spending time in Miami, where he’s launched a soccer team, whereas Victoria prefers being in the UK."

Rumors about David’s flirtatious nature have caused conflict in the past, notes the source, as has Victoria’s feeling that David is "selfish" for wanting to move back to America, where they lived with children Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 15, Cruz, 13, and Harper, 6, from 2008 to 2013. "The stress is causing Victoria to be moodier than ever," adds the source. "And David tries to spend as much time away as possible. They’re both living in a miserable marriage." (David’s rep denies the pair are living separate lives and tells In Touch reports of marriage trouble are "completely false.")

Friends say that when they do spend time together, the tension between the pair is palpable. "Victoria makes sure they post family photos on social media to make it look like everything is OK, but what goes on behind closed doors is different," says the source. "They’re often at each other’s throats."

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Still, they’ve spent years building the multimillion-dollar Beckham brand, which hinges on their reputation as a global power couple. "They’d risk ruining it all if they were to call it a day," believes the source. Between their empire and the children they both adore, there’s a lot on the line, says the insider: "I wouldn’t be surprised if they are staying together at all costs, even if it’s just for show."