Michael van Gerwen: Split, Illness, Career News & Facts

Michael van Gerwen’s 2025 has been a mix of personal turmoil and career slump — but separating fact from rumor requires a closer look at the evidence. Here’s what we know—and what remains unclear—about the three-time world champion.

Full name: Michael van Gerwen ·
Nickname: Mighty Mike ·
Date of birth: 25 April 1989 ·
Place of birth: Boxtel, Netherlands ·
World Championship wins: 3 (2014, 2017, 2019)

Seven key facts paint the outline of a darts legend who turned professional at 17 and has dominated the sport for a decade.

Has Michael van Gerwen split with his wife?

Who is Michael van Gerwen’s wife?

• Van Gerwen married Daphne in 2014 after an 11-year relationship, according to the Express (UK news outlet).
• The couple have two children together, Mike and Zoë (Express).

Is Michael van Gerwen still married?

• In May 2025, a post on Reddit purportedly from van Gerwen announced the end of his marriage to Daphne (Reddit /r/Darts). The post’s authenticity has not been independently verified.
• The Express subsequently reported the split, citing the announcement and noting that van Gerwen withdrew from tournaments shortly after.
• In a later interview with The Sun (UK tabloid), van Gerwen said he “used to have a wife who helped me,” further indicating the separation.

The pattern: The withdrawal from events after the announcement suggests the personal turmoil is directly affecting his professional schedule, a trend seen in other top athletes facing marital breakdowns.

Does Michael van Gerwen have a syndrome?

What is the reported syndrome?

• Online forums and some fan channels have speculated that van Gerwen may have a syndrome such as ADHD, but no credible medical source has confirmed any diagnosis (Mirror).
• The Mirror (UK news outlet) reported that tests were conducted but no diagnosis had been confirmed.

Has Michael van Gerwen commented on health rumors?

• Van Gerwen has not publicly addressed the syndrome rumors. His only health-related statements have been about a temporary illness that caused him to miss the Premier League night in Glasgow in February 2026 (Mirror).
• He told The Sun that 2025 was “the worst year of my life,” but did not link that comment to any underlying condition.

Why this matters: Unverified health rumors can distract from real performance analysis and put pressure on players to disclose private medical information. The lack of confirmation suggests the speculation is just that.

What has happened to Michael van Gerwen?

Recent tournament performance

• The Mirror reported that 2025 was van Gerwen’s lowest-achieving year since obtaining his PDC Tour card in 2011.
• He secured only one major PDC title in 2025, according to both the Express and the Mirror.
• The Sun quoted him saying his form remained below peak even after improvement.

Changes in ranking

• Van Gerwen dropped from world number one in previous years to third in the 2025 end-of-year rankings, per PDC official records.
• The rise of players like Luke Humphries has pushed van Gerwen further down the Order of Merit.

Injuries or personal issues

• Beyond the marriage split, van Gerwen suffered a broken jaw in 2024, according to the Express, which contributed to time away from the board.
• In February 2026, he withdrew from the Premier League in Glasgow due to illness, with swollen glands making it difficult to eat (Mirror).

What illness does Michael van Gerwen have?

Has van Gerwen disclosed any health condition?

• Van Gerwen has not disclosed a specific illness. Following his February 2026 withdrawal, he said he was “feeling much better after being quite unwell” but offered no diagnosis (Mirror).
• The Times of India (news outlet) reported that tests were conducted and he was improving ahead of a Belfast return.

How does health affect his darts career?

• The illness caused him to miss a Premier League event, breaking his usual consistent attendance record (Mirror).
• He planned to return in Belfast after recovering, indicating the episode was acute rather than chronic (Mirror).
• No long-term impact on his career has been suggested by any source.

The pattern: The recurring note in coverage is that van Gerwen’s health issues have been temporary and non-specific. Unlike some athletes who battle chronic conditions, his setbacks have been episodic and resolved quickly.

How old are Michael van Gerwen’s children?

Names of his children

• Van Gerwen has two children: a daughter named Zoë and a son named Mike (Express).
• Both children are from his marriage to Daphne (Express).

Ages based on known birth years

• Zoë was born in 2016, making her approximately 9 years old as of 2025 (Express).
• Mike was born in 2018, making him approximately 7 years old (Express).
• Both ages are estimates based on public records; exact birth dates are not widely reported.

The catch: Most online sources state “two children” without ages. The Express provides the birth years, but those figures are not always kept current. For accurate ages, direct confirmation from the family would be needed.

Timeline

• 1989 – Michael van Gerwen born in Boxtel, Netherlands (Wikipedia)
• 2014 – Wins first PDC World Championship (Mirror)
• 2017 – Wins second PDC World Championship (Mirror)
• 2019 – Wins third PDC World Championship (Mirror)
• 2024 – Suffers broken jaw, contributing to missed events (Express)
• May 2025 – Announces separation from wife Daphne (Express)
• 2025 – Lowest-achieving year since 2011; one major title (Mirror)
• February 2026 – Withdraws from Premier League Glasgow due to illness (Mirror)

These events mark the key milestones in van Gerwen’s career and personal life.

The difference between confirmed facts and speculation highlights the need for caution in interpreting personal news.

These statements provide a glimpse into his state of mind during a difficult period.

For darts fans, the coming months will determine whether van Gerwen can reclaim his dominance, or whether personal upheaval has permanently shifted the balance. His planned return in Belfast after illness suggests he’s not finished yet—but the road back to world number one will require consistency both on and off the board.

For those following Michael van Gerwen’s personal life, details about his split with wife Daphne Govers add further context to his recent career fluctuations.

Frequently asked questions

The answers above address the most common queries about van Gerwen’s career and personal life.