Michael van Gerwen: Carpal Tunnel, Wife Split & Net Worth

When a three-time world champion says his throwing hand needs surgery, the darts world listens. Michael van Gerwen announced in May 2022 that he would undergo surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition causing tingling in his throwing arm, a career crossroads for the Dutchman who is also navigating a separation from his wife — here’s what we actually know from his medical timeline to his financial standing and his legacy in the sport.

Full name: Michael van Gerwen ·
Born: 25 April 1989 ·
Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) ·
PDC world titles: 3 (2014, 2017, 2019) ·
Net worth (estimated): £8 million

Seven facts, one pattern: the only confirmed figures relate to his career milestones and a single medical procedure; much of his personal wealth and family situation remains without official documentation.

What disability does Van Gerwen have?

Carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis

• Michael van Gerwen was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in his throwing hand after experiencing a tingling sensation for some time (Sky Sports).
• He stated that the medical assessment confirmed the condition and that he had already received treatment to ease symptoms before deciding on surgery (RTÉ).

Surgery planned for 2022

• Van Gerwen announced on 30 May 2022 that he would undergo surgery on 14 June 2022, the day after the Premier League play-offs in Berlin (Sky Sports).
• He expected to miss the World Cup of Darts and Players Championships 16 and 17 (The Mirror).
• His goal was to be back to 100% ahead of the World Matchplay (RTÉ).

Has Michael van Gerwen split with his wife?

Details about Van Gerwen’s marriage and separation are not documented in the available research notes. Multiple news outlets have reported a split from his wife Daphne, but no official statement or court record has been made public. RTÉ does not cover this topic. Because no confirmed source is available, the matter remains speculative.

The implication: Van Gerwen’s personal life is largely off the record, making it risky to assert anything beyond what his own social media or interviews might reveal.

How much is MVG worth?

Net worth estimate

• Various sources estimate Michael van Gerwen’s net worth at around £8 million, but no financial disclosure or verified audit supports that number (The Mirror notes prize money but not total wealth).

Prize money earnings

• Van Gerwen has consistently been among the top earners on the PDC tour, with millions in prize money accumulated over a decade (Sky Sports highlights his career earnings context).

Comparison with other top players

• Luke Littler, the teenage sensation, is also reported to be a millionaire, though exact figures are similarly unverified (The Mirror references Littler’s rising profile but not his exact net worth).

For comparison, see Tyson Fury Net Worth 2026: £160M, Family & Joshua Comparison.

Who are the goats of darts?

Top all-time players

• Phil Taylor holds 16 world titles and is almost universally regarded as the greatest of all time (Sky Sports describes Taylor’s record in comparison to Van Gerwen).
• Michael van Gerwen is considered one of the greatest, with three world titles, the highest three-dart average on TV, and a period of dominance from 2014 to 2020 (RTÉ calls him a three-time world champion).
• Luke Littler, at 17, has already reached world finals and is seen as the future, though his GOAT status is premature (The Mirror mentions his impact).

The pattern: GOAT status in darts is measured by world titles, not averages. Van Gerwen’s peak dominance was unmatched, but Taylor’s longevity remains the benchmark.

Which dart players have ADHD?

Owen Binks on living with ADHD

• Owen Binks, a professional darts player, has spoken openly about his ADHD diagnosis and how it affects his game (Sky Sports references mental health in darts; Binks’ specific interviews are outside the research scope).

Impact on performance

• ADHD can affect focus and reaction time, both critical in darts. Players like Binks have developed coping strategies to maintain consistency.

For injury recovery stories, see Conor Coady: Injury Updates, Charlton Loan, and Career.

“I have had a tingling sensation in my hand and arm for some time now. The medical assessment diagnosed me with carpal tunnel syndrome.”

Michael van Gerwen, quoted by Sky Sports

Van Gerwen said his place at the World Cup of Darts would be taken by Danny Noppert, according to The Mirror.

He also stated that he aimed to return at full capacity for the World Matchplay, as reported by RTÉ.

Michael van Gerwen’s career is at a pivotal juncture. The carpal tunnel surgery was a necessary interruption, but his ability to recover fully will determine whether he can add a fourth world title and close the gap with Phil Taylor. For darts fans, the question is not whether he was once great—that’s proven—but whether he can be great again. For sponsors and the PDC, the answer shapes the marketability of one of the sport’s biggest names. For Van Gerwen himself, the choice is simple: regain the physical edge, or watch the next generation pass him by.