In a twist that has sent shockwaves through the darts world, Michael van Gerwen’s ex-wife, Daphne Govers, has announced she is expecting a baby with her new partner, just months after the couple’s highly publicized split. The revelation, coming barely seven months after the end of her marriage to the three-time world darts champion, has sparked widespread discussion both within and beyond the sporting community.
Daphne, who was married to van Gerwen for more than a decade and shares two children with the Dutch darts superstar, confirmed in an emotional interview with Dutch TV channel Shownieuws that she is due to give birth in January 2026. The baby’s father is her new boyfriend, Robert. The timing of the pregnancy—less than nine months after the split—has led to speculation about the overlap between her relationships, a point Daphne herself did not shy away from addressing.
“I didn’t expect it. I was at the hospital with the other two, too. I couldn’t have gotten pregnant naturally. If it does happen, it’ll be a miracle,” Daphne told Shownieuws, candidly reflecting on the surprise that accompanied the news. “My world was completely turned upside down. How am I going to handle this? But in the end, it all worked out. It’s more than welcome.”
Daphne’s openness extended to her admission of personal missteps. “Of course a mistake was made on my part. Everyone knows that. We don’t have to hide that. I’d rather keep the story private,” she said, hinting at the complexity of the situation. When pressed about van Gerwen’s reaction to her pregnancy, Daphne replied, “I wouldn’t dare say. I don’t think he’s very happy, but I really don’t know.”
The news comes at a pivotal moment for Michael van Gerwen, who has been one of darts’ brightest stars for over a decade. The 36-year-old Dutchman, known for his fierce competitive spirit and three World Darts Championship titles (2014, 2017, and 2019), took a rare summer break from the sport in 2025 to process the end of his marriage. According to van Gerwen, the split was a deeply personal and challenging chapter. “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 told Dutch news outlet AD. “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.”
Van Gerwen spent his summer attending world-famous music festivals like Tomorrowland and enjoying a getaway in Ibiza, where he was spotted at a Martin Garrix concert at the renowned Ushuaia beach club. While some critics suggested that his time away from the oche might distract him from his game, van Gerwen dismissed such claims. “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? 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,” he explained with characteristic candor.
Despite the off-the-board turbulence, van Gerwen has maintained a bullish outlook on his return to competitive darts. He entered the 2025/26 World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace determined to put what he described as his “worst year” behind him. “I don’t care about Luke and Luke at this moment,” van Gerwen said, referencing fellow competitors Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. “I just need to concentrate myself on my own performance. I can’t meet them until the semi-finals and final anyway.”
Van Gerwen’s immediate focus is on his third-round clash against debutant Arno Merk, with a potential fourth-round showdown against the experienced Gary Anderson looming on the horizon. The stakes are high, as a fourth world title and the tournament’s massive £1 million top prize are within reach. The Dutchman’s journey through the tournament is being closely watched, especially after his defeat in last year’s final to the prodigious Luke Littler.
Meanwhile, Daphne’s pregnancy has added an unexpected dimension to the van Gerwen narrative. Both she and van Gerwen have been public about their commitment to co-parenting their two children, and Daphne has often been seen supporting van Gerwen at major darts events. Still, the latest revelations have thrust their private lives back into the spotlight, with fans and pundits alike speculating on how these developments might impact van Gerwen’s focus and form.
The darts community has been abuzz with reaction to the news, with some expressing sympathy for van Gerwen as he navigates personal upheaval while competing at the sport’s highest level. Others have commended Daphne for her honesty and willingness to speak openly about her circumstances, particularly her description of the pregnancy as a “miracle” given her previous difficulties conceiving naturally.
This isn’t the first time van Gerwen’s personal life has intersected with his sporting career. Throughout his rise to the top of the darts world, Daphne was a constant presence, supporting him through the highs and lows of professional competition. Their split in May 2025, announced with “great sadness,” marked the end of an era for one of darts’ most recognizable couples.
As van Gerwen continues his quest for another world title, questions remain about how he will balance the demands of elite competition with the realities of his new family dynamic. If anything, the situation underscores the human side of sports: even champions must contend with life’s unpredictable twists and turns.
With the World Darts Championship in full swing at Ally Pally, all eyes are on van Gerwen as he seeks redemption and perhaps a measure of personal closure. Whether he can channel the tumult of the past year into another title run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the drama surrounding his personal life has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling tournament.
For now, fans will have to wait and see how both van Gerwen and Daphne navigate their respective new chapters. As the darts action continues and the January due date approaches, the story of Michael van Gerwen and Daphne Govers is far from over—both on and off the oche.
