In the electrifying world of professional darts, few names command as much respect and excitement as Michael van Gerwen. The Dutch powerhouse, known for his lightning-fast throws and unyielding competitive spirit, has long been a titan of the sport. With three World Championships under his belt, a record 90 Pro Tour victories, and the highest televised average ever recorded at 123.4, van Gerwen’s career is a testament to dominance. Yet, behind the oche, the 36-year-old has faced profound personal turbulence—a marriage dissolution, grueling medical procedures, and the relentless pressure of fatherhood. Remarkably, amid this storm, he has emerged stronger, clinching a hard-fought victory at the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, pocketing £80,000 and signaling a potential resurgence to the top.
The crowning moment came in front of a raucous home crowd, where van Gerwen outlasted teenage sensation Luke Littler in a nail-biting final. It was his sixth World Series title and his first televised triumph in two long years—a drought that had tested his resolve. As the darts thudded into the board, sealing the win, van Gerwen’s emotions poured out. “We all know what difficulties I’ve had in the last few months, but to do it in front of my home crowd means a lot to me, it’s amazing,” he said, his voice thick with relief. “I’ve never been away, but I’ve had to dig really deep to do this. I love what I do. I hope this is the beginning of a lot more.” This victory wasn’t just about prize money; it was a beacon of hope, proving that even in his darkest hours, the fire within him burns brighter than ever.
Van Gerwen’s personal life, however, has been anything but a straight path to the winner’s circle. Earlier this year, in May 2025, he announced the heartbreaking end of his marriage to Daphne, the woman who had been by his side since 2008 and his wife since 2014. The couple, who share two young children, Mike and Zoe, had built a life together amid the whirlwind of van Gerwen’s globetrotting career. The split sent shockwaves through the darts community, prompting him to withdraw from several tournaments to focus on healing. “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,” he shared at the time. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are facing a difficult time and ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
The dissolution has been far from tidy. Van Gerwen has been candid about the emotional toll, describing it as a tangled “mess” that demands careful navigation. “Not everything will be fine within a few days. You’re dealing with the final settlements, the aftermath. You have to do that carefully, without mistakes,” he reflected in a recent interview. Fatherhood has become his anchor, with his kids now firmly at the top of his priorities. “My children are my number one priority, and then everything else comes,” he emphasized. “But ultimately, it’s my livelihood, and if you’re good at darts, you can give more to the kids. It’s all interconnected; I’m very aware of that.” Despite the pain, van Gerwen refuses to wallow. “I’m just human, you know. At some point, you want to think about nice things again, not just be preoccupied with the mess you’re experiencing at that moment,” he admitted. “I couldn’t write this script myself, so I’ll have to deal with it in a way I think is right. You could just sit around and grieve all day, but that’s pointless. So you do fun things, take time for yourself.”
Part of reclaiming joy has involved stepping into lighter moments. Van Gerwen was spotted enjoying the vibrant party scene in Ibiza, including a high-energy concert by DJ Martin Garrix at the iconic Ushuaia beach club. He was also at the Tomorrowland music festival, dancing amid the electronic beats. Far from reckless indulgence, these escapes were family-oriented holidays with his children in tow. “But I was just on holiday with my kids in Ibiza, you know. Yes, I did go out for a day, but doesn’t everyone do that?” he clarified, brushing off speculation that his outings signaled a lapse in focus. “People emphasize that, but what others say about it doesn’t really matter to me. They should just experience what I went through… you have to get on with your life and find closure, even though that’s easier said than done.” These experiences, he explained, are essential for rebuilding: “Is that working? Not quite yet. It takes time. I have all sorts of balls to juggle. I’m still in the middle of the divorce.”
Compounding the emotional strain has been a brutal health ordeal. Van Gerwen has been battling a severe underbite, where his upper jaw is significantly smaller than the lower one—measuring over a centimeter. This condition has wreaked havoc on his daily life, making simple tasks like biting into a slice of ham nearly impossible and restricting nasal airflow, leading to chronic headaches, poor sleep, and fatigue. In a bold move to correct it, he underwent major jaw surgery, a procedure so intense it involved breaking both his upper and lower jaws to realign them properly. “I’ll have an operation in which they’re going to break my upper jaw and lower jaw. Put them right on each other. Then it’s all about recovery. Two years more in a brace. Then I’m about finished,” he detailed ahead of the surgery. The first procedure occurred earlier this year, with a second required at least a year later. “Between the first operation this year and the second one, there has to be a minimum of one year. It’s because my upper jaw is a lot smaller than my lower jaw. My underbite is over a centimetre. Even a slice of ham, I cannot even bite properly. And because my upper jaw is too small also you get less oxygen through your nose. That creates headaches, less sleep, things like that.” Now sporting braces as part of his ongoing recovery, van Gerwen has shown remarkable resilience, returning to the oche without missing a beat.
Through it all, darts remains his passion and profession. After a three-week hiatus earlier in the summer, he dove back in, advancing through the World Series with a gritty 6-5 win over Wessel Nijman before facing Rob Cross in the last 16. “I still love darts and I’m not reluctant at all,” he affirmed. Looking ahead, van Gerwen is gearing up for the World Grand Prix in October and the prestigious World Championship over the holiday season, where the winner stands to claim a staggering £1 million—the richest prize in darts history. His recent £80,000 haul is a timely boost, not just financially but mentally, reminding him and his fans of his enduring prowess.
Van Gerwen’s story is one of human vulnerability wrapped in athletic excellence. From the wreckage of a broken marriage and the pain of surgical recovery to the thrill of victory on home soil, he embodies the grit that defines champions. As he balances co-parenting, personal growth, and professional ambitions, one thing is clear: Michael van Gerwen is far from finished. His journey forward promises more drama, more darts, and perhaps, more glory.
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