Simon Konecki is a British charity entrepreneur and former investment banker, best known as the ex-husband of the global superstar singer Adele. Born in 1974 in New York and raised in London, he built a career in finance before leaving it behind to found an ethical water company and a clean-water charity. He and Adele were together for around seven years and share a son.

Although his marriage to Adele placed him in the public eye, Simon Konecki has always been a private figure whose main focus is his charitable work. This article looks at his background, his business and philanthropy, his relationship with Adele, and where he is today.

Simon Konecki: Quick Facts

Who Is Simon Konecki?

Simon Konecki is a British businessman and philanthropist who is best known publicly as the former husband of the singer Adele. Within his own field, he is recognised as a charity entrepreneur, having founded an ethical bottled water company and a clean-water charity.

A former investment banker, he left the finance world to focus on humanitarian work. Despite the intense public interest that came with his marriage to one of the world’s most famous musicians, he has generally kept a low profile and let his charitable work speak for itself.

Simon Konecki’s Early Life and Education

Simon Christopher Konecki was born on 17 April 1974 in New York City, in the United States. His family moved to London when he was around ten years old. He attended the prestigious Eton College, where his schoolmates reportedly included the adventurer Bear Grylls.

Growing up between the United States and Britain, he retained a distinctly English upbringing and accent. From an early age he showed both ambition and a strong social conscience, qualities that would later shape the unusual direction of his career.

Simon Konecki’s Career and Charity Work

Simon Konecki began his working life in finance, becoming a foreign exchange broker as a teenager. He went on to hold senior roles, including at the investment bank Lehman Brothers, where he managed teams of brokers. However, he grew disillusioned with the world of high finance and its focus on money.

In the mid-2000s, he left banking to pursue philanthropy. Together with his friend Lucas White, he co-founded Life Water, an ethical, environmentally friendly bottled water company in the UK. The company was designed to fund Drop4Drop, a charity that provides clean drinking water to communities in developing countries such as those in Africa and India. As the charity’s CEO, Simon has devoted himself to clean-water projects around the world, and the cause has attracted support from figures including Stephen Fry.

How Did Simon Konecki Meet Adele?

Simon Konecki and Adele began their relationship in 2011, and were first widely spotted together in early 2012 during a holiday in Florida. Around that time, Adele publicly encouraged her fans to support his charity, Drop4Drop, helping to raise its profile.

The couple were notably private about their romance from the start. In October 2012, they welcomed their son, Angelo. Adele has spoken about how Simon supported her during her recovery from vocal cord surgery, and he became a steadying presence in her life away from the music industry.

Simon Konecki and Adele’s Marriage and Divorce

Simon Konecki and Adele married in 2018, after several years together and having kept their relationship largely out of the public eye. However, the marriage was short-lived. In April 2019, it was announced that the couple had separated after more than seven years together, and their divorce was finalised in 2021.

The couple kept the details of their split private, and they have continued to co-parent their son on very amicable terms. Adele has spoken warmly about Simon, describing him as the perfect person to have had her child with. Her acclaimed 2021 album, 30, explored the emotional impact of the divorce, but both have been careful to speak respectfully of each other.

Where Is Simon Konecki Today?

As of 2026, Simon Konecki continues his work in the charitable and ethical business sector, focused on clean-water projects, while keeping a low personal profile. He and Adele remain on good terms as they raise their son, reportedly living close to each other so that they can share parenting.

His experience of a high-profile relationship followed by a quiet, private life echoes that of others profiled on The Sheffield Magazine, such as Hanne Norgaard, the first wife of actor Idris Elba. The site also features a wide range of notable figures, including the acclaimed author Marina Lewycka.

Why Simon Konecki’s Story Stands Out

Simon Konecki’s story is unusual among people connected to fame. Rather than seeking the spotlight, he walked away from a lucrative career in finance to dedicate himself to helping others gain access to something as basic and vital as clean water.

While much of the public knows him only as Adele’s ex-husband, his real legacy lies in his humanitarian work. His life is a reminder that the people behind famous names often have their own meaningful stories, driven by values that have nothing to do with celebrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Simon Konecki?

Simon Konecki is a British charity entrepreneur and former investment banker, best known as the ex-husband of the singer Adele.

What does Simon Konecki do?

He is the founder of the ethical water company Life Water and the CEO of its clean-water charity, Drop4Drop.

When did Simon Konecki and Adele marry and divorce?

They married in 2018, separated in 2019, and their divorce was finalised in 2021.

Do Simon Konecki and Adele have children?

Yes. They have a son, Angelo, who was born in 2012, and they co-parent him on amicable terms.

What is Drop4Drop?

Drop4Drop is a charity founded by Simon Konecki that provides clean drinking water to communities in developing countries.