Linda de Mol and Jeroen Rietbergen have officially rekindled their relationship, marking the end of their tumultuous past and the beginning of what they hope will be a more stable future together. This reunion follows nearly two years of emotional turmoil and scandal surrounding Rietbergen’s allegations of sexual misconduct.
De Mol, the 60-year-old Dutch television host known for her long-standing presence on the small screen, hinted at this new chapter of her life in her latest editorial for LINDA., where she posed the reflective question, "With whom do I want to spend the time I have left? I have figured it out, even though it has been a long and arduous process" (Original quote in Dutch: "Met wie wil ik de tijd doorbrengen die me nog gegeven is? Daar ben ik inmiddels uit, al is dat een lang en moeizaam traject geweest.").
The couple's relationship faced upheaval at the beginning of 2022 when Rietbergen, once the band leader of the popular TV show The Voice of Holland, admitted to having had sexual relationships with women involved with the program. This admission led De Mol to describe her situation as living "in a terrible nightmare" due to the emotional distress the situation caused her. "I live in a terrible nightmare. There are so many things coming out I had no knowledge of and, because they are anonymous, I don’t know what is true and what is not," she expressed at the time (Original quote: "Sinds een paar dagen zit ik in een vreselijke nachtmerrie. Er zijn zo ontzettend veel dingen naar boven gekomen waarvan ik geen weet had en waarvan ik, omdat ze anoniem zijn, niet weet wat waar is en wat niet.").
Despite announcing their split, both seemed unable to fully let go of their bond. Earlier this year, they were spotted together multiple times, prompting speculation about their relationship status. De Mol’s manager, Xenia Kasper, later confirmed the two were back together, much to the listeners’ intrigue. "Al is dat een lang en moeizaam traject geweest" ("Although this has been a long and arduous process"), said Kasper.
Will Koopman, the director and close friend of De Mol, publicly shared her views on their rekindled romance, stating, "She loves him very much, and he realizes he should never have done what he did" (Original quote: "Zij houdt heel veel van hem, en andersom. Hij beseft echt wel dat hij dat nooit had mogen doen."). Koopman underscored the importance of forgiveness, indicating it's for the couple to decide whether to give their love another chance.
The charges against Rietbergen were eventually dismissed as the Public Prosecution Service found insufficient evidence to proceed with any prosecution. Rietbergen himself expressed relief and gratitude over the dismissal of the case, indicating he takes the matter seriously and continues to seek counseling to address his past behavior.
Despite the significant challenges they faced, this reunion seems to reflect both parties' willingness to work through their issues, much to the delight of their fans who have watched their connection evolve over the years. Once more, they are stepping boldly hand-in-hand, leaving behind the shadows of doubt and embracing the possibility of rebuilding their love.
Reflecting on her personal growth, De Mol remarked on the significance of making decisions about one’s private life, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance. During various interviews, she has reiterated, "I don’t feel I need to justify my choices to others".
Indeed, the couple's reunion stands as a powerful statement of love and resilience. With shared experiences of hardship and pain, they might emerge stronger, teaching others about the nuances of love, forgiveness, and the courage to move forward. The future remains uncertain, but the acknowledgment of their serious commitment is clear. Time will tell if they can create the lasting partnership both have long desired.
