Born in Brooklyn, New York to Pakistani parents, Makhdoom, 32, graduated from Rutgers University with a double major in political science and journalism. She said she always wanted to go into law, according to Hello magazine, but as she prepared to decide on her future, fate interrupted her career plans and she met Amir Khan, 37.

How did Faryal Makhdoom meet Amir Khan?

Per Hello magazine, Makhdoom and Khan were introduced through a mutual friend. Makhdoom told the publication that they were at a bustling restaurant overlooking the New York skyline when they were introduced in 2011. She described the moment as “like being in a movie”.

Makhdoom added that not many successful Pakistani athletes are well-known in the US and she was impressed that she had seen his poster around. Khan, for his part, told the publication that he knew he wanted to marry her: “You can always tell – you get that feeling when you gel with someone. She’s the perfect girl.”

Khan proposed in 2012 and, just 16 months later, they got married in a lavish wedding at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Hello reported that although it was Makhdoom’s dream day, she told the publication it was also “sad” as she was saying “goodbye to my family and begin[ning] my new life as Amir’s wife in the UK”.

Makhdoom was just 21 years old at the time and planning out her law career. That was before she met Khan. “But it’s funny, God does things in crazy ways and nothing goes the way you plan it. When it’s right, it’s not a problem,” she told Hello.

Her beauty business and YouTube fame

Known for her carefully put together outfits and flawless looks, it only made sense that Makhdoom eventually turned towards make-up. Per The Asian Connect, Makhdoom launched her beauty line Faryal Beauty in 2022 with five shades of liquid lipstick.

On her website, Makhdoom said she knew she would always have her own make-up brand, as she was surrounded by fashion and beauty growing up in New York. However, her brand took on a different significance when her marriage with Khan hit a rough patch. In August 2023, during the couple’s multiple relationship hiccups, British media claimed that Khan pledged to invest a hefty sum of money into his “estranged” wife’s beauty business in a bid to win her over.

Eight years ago, after marrying her famous husband, Makhdoom also started her own YouTube channel. Now, with over 152,000 subscribers, Makhdoom said at the time that she wanted to give fans a look inside her life: “I’ll be sharing my everyday lifestyle, my relationship with my husband, my daughter and of course, make-up and beauty.” Since then, Makhdoom and Khan have also starred in a three-part BBC show, Meet the Khans: Big in Bolton, which gives fans insights into their lives.

The Khan family

Their first child, daughter Lamaisah, was born in May 2014. The couple have spared no expense when it comes to lavish parties, reportedly dropping £100,000 (US$127,200) on a second birthday party for Lamaisah in 2016, which included Disney princesses, Peppa Pig and a real-life ballerina, per Hello.

In 2018, they welcomed their second daughter Alayna and, in 2020, they had their son, Muhammad Zaviyar. The couple made headlines for gifting baby Muhammad Zaviyar a Rolex for his first birthday, per British media.

Her turbulent relationship

As their romance has played out in the public eye, so too have their relationship dramas and near splits. In 2016, Makhdoom accused her in-laws of bullying and abuse. Per The Guardian, Makhdoom’s detailed allegations prompted Khan’s family to respond on social media, starting a public row.

In 2017, Khan publicly accused his wife of having an affair with his friend and fellow boxing sensation Anthony Joshua. Later, Khan admitted regretting getting his friend involved in his marriage problems, reports British media.

Meanwhile, multiple cheating allegations have surrounded Khan over the years, with the most recent involving the former boxer being allegedly caught sexting a model named Sumaira and asking her for revealing pictures.

Reports on the current state of the couple’s marriage have varied, with some indicating they have split and are living separately.

She was allegedly threatened for her pro-Palestine stance

Makhdoom has been vocal in her support of Palestine as part of the Israel-Gaza war, sharing pro-Palestine posts on her social media and urging influencers to use their platforms to do the same.

But Makhdoom also alleged that her support for Palestine resulted in her receiving a threatening message on WhatsApp. Per Tribune, Makhdoom shared images of a message she received that stated if she stopped posting about Palestine and supported Israel instead, she would be rewarded. She said she was told there would “severe consequences” if she continued to support Palestine.