Michael van Gerwen Announces Separation from Wife Daphne Amid Career Struggles

Dutch darts legend Michael van Gerwen has confirmed that he and his wife Daphne have separated. The emotional announcement was made through a social media statement on Saturday, May 24. The couple had been together for over 15 years and married since 2014.

Van Gerwen wrote: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship. As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments.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 couple started dating in 2008 and got married six years later in their home country, the Netherlands. That same year, Van Gerwen won his first World Darts Championship, marking a high point both professionally and personally.

They have two children together — a daughter born in August 2017 and a son born in April 2020. Daphne, a former hairdresser, has long supported Michael in his professional career, often attending events and traveling with him.

This personal update comes at a challenging time for Van Gerwen. Just this week, he missed out on the Premier League Darts playoffs — something that has only happened once before in his career. Fans and experts have noted a visible dip in his performance and demeanor on stage.

Fellow player Nathan Aspinall said: “I don’t know what is going on but he didn’t look himself again. Even on that stage, he was giving up.”

Veteran darts commentator Wayne Mardle added: “Michael is a champion, but something seems off. He didn’t win a single week this season, which is very unusual for him.”

Van Gerwen, known for his fierce competitiveness and dominance in darts, now faces both personal and professional challenges. Fans and the darts community have shown support, wishing him strength during this difficult phase.