Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Marriage Timeline: Who are the Actor’s Spouse?

Jean-Claude Van Damme, the iconic martial artist and action movie star, has had a colorful and eventful personal life that has often been as dramatic as his on-screen roles.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, born on October 18, 1960, in the picturesque town of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium, is a man of many talents and an air of mystery. Of Belgian ethnicity, he keeps his religious beliefs private but is undoubtedly a devout believer in the power of a well-timed roundhouse kick.

Van Damme‘s father, Eugène Van Varenberg, was an accountant, while his mother, Eliana Van Varenberg, was a homemaker. He has a sibling, but details about them are as elusive as a ninja in the night. Thanks to his father’s foresight, his early education was as diverse as his martial arts skills, starting with Shotokan karate at the tender age of 10.

His formal education was largely the school of hard knocks, where he honed his karate, kickboxing, and bodybuilding skills. These disciplines laid the groundwork for his future success in Hollywood, where he would become a household name and a master of the splits.

Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s romantic life has garnered much attention. He was married five times to four women, including notable marriages to Gladys Portugues, Darcy LaPier, and more.

María Rodríguez

Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s first marriage was to Maria Rodriguez in 1980. The couple tied the knot in Brussels, where Van Damme was born and raised. The marriage lasted for four years before they divorced in 1984. This was a pivotal time for Van Damme, as he decided to leave his professional martial arts career behind and move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Van Damme‘s marriage to Venezuelan-born Maria Rodriguez began on August 25, 1980, just before he decided to end his professional martial arts career and relocate to Los Angeles from Brussels. He took on various jobs in Los Angeles, such as a carpet layer, limo driver, and pizza delivery man, while attending English classes. He eventually landed a job as a bouncer at a club, thanks to a recommendation from Chuck Norris. However, the marriage did not survive this transition, and they divorced in 1984.

Despite the end of his first marriage, Van Damme‘s career continued to flourish. He became a successful actor and martial artist, appearing in numerous action films.

Cynthia Derderian

In 1985, Jean-Claude Van Damme married Cynthia Derderian, but their union was short-lived, ending in divorce a year later. During this period, Van Damme began to make a name for himself in Hollywood, landing roles in movies like “Bloodsport” and “Kickboxer.”

Despite the end of his marriage to Cynthia, Van Damme‘s acting career continued to thrive. He secured his first acting role in 1985, the same year he married Cynthia, but their relationship quickly ended. Nevertheless, Van Damme‘s career flourished, solidifying him as a successful and highly sought-after actor in the action film industry.

Gladys Portugues

In 1987, Jean-Claude Van Damme married Gladys Portugues, a bodybuilder, fitness competitor, and actress. The couple had two children together, Kristopher Van Varenberg (born in 1987), also known as Kris Van Damme, and Bianca Bree (born in 1990). However, their marriage faced challenges, including infidelity, leading to their divorce in 1992.

Despite a tumultuous relationship marked by rumors of infidelity and a brief separation, Jean-Claude and Gladys reconciled in 1995. Their marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 1997. Despite the challenges, Gladys and Jean-Claude have remained on good terms and continue to co-parent their children.

Darcy LaPier

In 1994, Jean-Claude Van Damme married actress and model Darcy LaPier in a lavish ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand. They had one son together, Nicolas VanVarenberg (born in 1995). However, their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in 1997. During this period, Van Damme had an affair with Kylie Minogue while filming the movie “Street Fighter.”

Despite their shared interests, including a love for rodeo barrel racing, Jean-Claude and Darcy‘s marriage ended in 1997. Van Damme has since denied having a romantic relationship with Minogue, claiming they were just friends. This contradicts previous reports and interviews in which he admitted to the affair. The controversy surrounding this scandal continues to follow Van Damme.

Gladys Portugues

After his divorce from Darcy LaPier, Jean-Claude Van Damme rekindled his romance with Gladys Portugues. They remarried in 1999 and have been together ever since, navigating the challenges in their relationship and celebrating over 20 years of marriage.

Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s personal life has been a rollercoaster, marked by multiple marriages and reconciliations. His current wife, American bodybuilder Gladys Portugues, initially married him in 1987, but their marriage ended in 1992 following Van Damme’s affair with Darcy LaPier. Despite this setback, Van Damme and Portugues found their way back to each other, remarried in 1999, and demonstrated that love can endure even the most difficult circumstances. Their marriage has withstood the test of time, and they remain happily together.

Throughout their marriage, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Gladys Portugues have faced challenges but have remained a strong and resilient couple. They have built a successful family, with their children, Kris Van Damme and Bridgette Bianca Van Damme, following in their parents’ footsteps into the entertainment industry. Despite rumors of divorce in 2015, the couple chose to work through their differences, further solidifying their enduring love and commitment to each other. Their relationship stands as a testament to the strength of their bond.