Who Is James Van Der Beek's Wife? All About Kimberly Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek (nee Brook), have been faithful to each other for over a decade.

The Dawson’s Creek The alum first met Kimberly on a trip to Israel in 2009. Just a year later, the couple had a baby on the way and returned to the country to tie the knot in an intimate ceremony in August 2010.

Since saying “I do,” James and Kimberly have welcomed six children together: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.

With each increase in their family, the father of six said their love grew. “We watched our lives change with each child,” James told PEOPLE in 2019.

The couple supported each other even in difficult times. In November 2024, James announced that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. “I have dealt with this diagnosis privately and have taken steps to deal with it, with the support of my amazing family,” the actor told PEOPLE.

James also shared his diagnosis on Instagram, and Kimberly left a message of support in the comments, writing, “I love you baby.”

The Six Children of James Van Der Beek: All About His Sons and Daughters

So who is James Van Der Beek’s wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Kimberly Van Der Beek and her relationship with the actor.

She worked as a producer

Kimberly Van Der Beek and James Van Der Beek arrive at the 2019 Fox, FX and Hulu Golden Globe Awards After Party on January 6, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.

Phillip Faraone/Getty

Kimberly is credited as an associate producer on the Adrian Grenier-directed documentary Teenage paparazzi, which premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

The documentary explores the relationship between Escort star and a 14-year-old photographer named Austin Visschedyk.

She met James in Israel

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek during their engagement.

James Van Der Beek Instagram

James and Kimberly met in Israel in 2009, shortly after his first marriage ended.

While “on a group trip,” James realized he was “done with being single” and “wanted a real relationship. A soul mate. Someone I could build a family with,” he reflected on Instagram in honor of their 10th wedding anniversary.

James continued to look for someone to build a family with, and as he was telling his friend about his “revelation”, Kimberly interrupted them to ask his friend a question.

Although he was taken aback after his private moment was interrupted, she made a big impression on him.

A few days later he asked her what she was looking for in a relationship, but she wasn’t interested. Although she had no plans to enter into a partnership, just six months later James and Kimberly were living together and expecting a baby.

She and James got married in 2010

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek on their wedding day in 2010.

James Van Der Beek Instagram

The couple said “I do” on August 1, 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

James announced their wedding on X (formerly Twitter). “The woman I love honored me by becoming my wife today,” he wrote in a post that has since been deleted. “I look forward to earning it for the rest of my life.”

The newlyweds didn’t reveal many wedding details at the time, but in honor of their 13th anniversary, James reflected on their special day.

He wrote on Instagram that Kimberly dreamed of a man who would officiate their wedding on a specific date. Fortunately, he was available that night to marry them “in the basement of the Kabbalah Center in Tel Aviv.”

James continued: “We rushed to get ready, had loads of people we didn’t know (and a few us) dance around us, got ambushed by Israeli paparazzi afterwards and then ate alfresco in Lebanon with plastic tablecloths and chairs and amazing food… and off we went.”

She is the mother of six children

James Van Der Beek with his wife Kimberly and their children. James Van Der Beek Instagram

The Dawson’s Creek star and his wife Kimberly are the proud parents of six children together, which James says has been a “humbling” experience.

“Just when you think you’ve got it going, you get somebody throwing you the wrong ball,” he told PEOPLE in 2023. “And that’s regulating your own emotions when things get hectic and chaos ensues, which is sometimes inevitable.”

Their first child, daughter Olivia, was born on September 25, 2010 in Los Angeles. Their family expanded when he welcomed a son, Joshua, on March 13, 2012, and a daughter, Annabel Leah, arrived next on January 25, 2014.

James Van Der Beek with his daughters and sons. Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram

Another baby girl joined the family when Emilia was born on March 23, 2016 at their home in LA, followed by Gwendolyn on June 15, 2018.

After they thought they were “done” with children, Jeremiah was born on October 10, 2021, at the family ranch in Texas.

After going through “many variations” of teaching her children, including traditional homeschooling, a homeschooling co-op and hiring a tutor, Kimberly opened up on the 2020 episode. The Make Down podcast about her plans for their education.

“We’re in a really interesting time right now where we can go about education differently with a different approach,” she said, adding that the Finnish school system was a source of inspiration for her. “As long as we learn to read, write, math, the child can venture where his passions lie.”

She spoke openly about her pregnancy losses

James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek take a selfie with one of their children.

James Van Der Beek Instagram

James and Kimberly spoke candidly about their five miscarriages, including two consecutive pregnancy losses.

“It’s so hard, but it’s important to talk about it,” Kimberly told PEOPLE in 2019. “We’ve been waiting so long to tell people we’re pregnant, so the chance of miscarriage has decreased. But in the meantime, you’re tired, you need help, and you’re going through one of the craziest times of your life.”

In 2021, the couple partnered with the American Red Cross to spread the word about the importance of donating blood. Kimberly said that without the blood transfusion, she “probably wouldn’t be here.”

There’s a lot of shock, absolute fear, disbelief and then helplessness followed by fear, James added about the experiences. “But you go through it and you take it one breath at a time. You have to let it happen at a pace that works for you.”

She is the co-host of the podcast

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek at the premiere of HBO’s “Room 104” on July 27, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Along with Peggy Rometo, Kimberly co-hosts Bathroom chronicles podcast, which launched in January 2023. Past guests have included Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Rumer Willis, and Genevieve Padalecki.

James, who also guest starred on the show, couldn’t be more proud of his wife and her achievements.

“It was really inspiring to watch her give back to something she loves and create a safe space for people to share honestly, openly — to laugh, cry and know they’re not alone in the world,” he shared with PEOPLE 2023.

The actor added, “I’m so proud of her and the space she creates, that she can immerse herself in friendship and sisterhood and honesty and curiosity the way she does.”

She and James moved to Texas in 2020

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek.

James Van Der Beek Instagram

In the fall of 2020, James and Kimberly announced that their family was moving from LA to Texas.

“Sometimes the most fulfilling life starts with an empty house,” James wrote on Instagram. “We’re leaving Los Angeles incredibly grateful for all the friends and memories we’ve made here. On to the next great adventure! ❤️😊.”

After traveling with their children and pets, the Van Der Beeks arrived at their new home, and James revealed more about their reasons for leaving California.

The CSI: Cyber star revealed in an Instagram caption that aside from losing her pregnancy, there were other factors that contributed to their decision to move, including a health scare for Kimberly, his elimination from Dancing with the starsloss of mother and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of that led to some drastic changes in our lives, dreams and priorities… and brought us here,” he explained, accompanied by photos of the family enjoying the outdoors in Texas. “Overwhelmed with deep gratitude today.”

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Source: HIS Education