Dutch PM Rob Jetten and fiancé announce first child via surrogate, due 2027
In short
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, 39, and his fiancé Nicolas Keenan, 29, an Argentine men's hockey player, announced on 19 October that they expect their first child through surrogacy. Japanese outlets report the birth is expected in spring 2027. Jetten's party, Democrats 66 (D66), said the surrogate and egg donor are Dutch and unpaid.
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Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, 39, and his fiancé Nicolas Keenan, 29, a member of Argentina's men's hockey team, announced on 19 October that they expect their first child through surrogacy. Yomiuri and Asahi reported that the announcement was made on Jetten's Instagram account, while Jiji said it was made on social media. Jiji and Asahi report that the birth is expected in spring 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yomiuri reported that the post showed Jetten and his partner with their arms around each other, holding an ultrasound image. According to Yomiuri, the joint post said that someone very special was on the way and 'see you in 2027'. Asahi quoted the post as saying that an irreplaceable person was coming to them and 'Baby, see you in 2027'. Asahi also reported that the couple thanked the egg donor and the surrogate, named as Lisa, and their families, saying it would not have happened without them. [ 2 , 3 ]
D66, Jetten's party, said the two had long wanted children, according to Jiji. Jiji reported that, according to the party, the pregnancy was achieved through in vitro fertilisation with a Dutch surrogate and a Dutch egg donor. Jiji said the surrogate is a friend of the couple who already has children, that the egg donor is an acquaintance, and that neither received payment. It added that all procedures were carried out in the Netherlands and comply with Dutch law, according to the party. [ 1 ]
Yomiuri, also citing D66, said one female friend provided the egg and another female friend is the surrogate, both Dutch, and that the arrangement is not commercial surrogacy, which is prohibited. Asahi reported that D66 issued a statement on 19 October saying the two were delighted that their long-held dream of having a child looked set to come true. [ 2 , 3 ]
Jiji and Yomiuri describe Jetten as the first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands; Asahi says he has publicly stated that he is gay. Asahi says Jetten leads D66 and calls it centre-left, Jiji calls it a centre-liberal party, and Yomiuri calls it a governing party. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The three outlets report a personal announcement by a head of government rather than a policy decision. Jiji and Yomiuri note that Jetten is the Netherlands' first openly gay prime minister, and the coverage stresses, citing D66, that the arrangement was not commercial surrogacy.
Key facts
- Jetten and Keenan announced on 19 October that they expect their first child through surrogacy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Jetten is 39 and Keenan, a member of Argentina's men's hockey team, is 29. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Jiji and Asahi report that the birth is expected in spring 2027; Yomiuri cites the couple's post as saying 'see you in 2027'. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- According to D66, the surrogate and the egg donor are both Dutch. [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to D66, the pregnancy came through in vitro fertilisation, neither woman received payment, and all procedures were carried out in the Netherlands in line with Dutch law. [ 1 ]
- Jiji and Yomiuri describe Jetten as the first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Jetten announced on 19 October that he and his fiancé Nicolas Keenan, an Argentine men's hockey player, expect a child through surrogacy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The couple posted a photo holding an ultrasound image on Instagram; the birth is expected in 2027. [ 2 , 3 ]
- D66 issued information about the arrangement; Asahi reports a party statement saying the two are delighted that their long-held wish to have a child looks set to come true. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Jetten is openly gay and the first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the egg donor is a friend or an acquaintance. Jiji describes the egg donor as an acquaintance, while Yomiuri describes her as a friend.
- The surrogate's name. Only Asahi gives a name, quoting the couple's post thanking a surrogate called Lisa.
- The exact timing of the birth. Jiji and Asahi say spring 2027, while Yomiuri only cites the couple's post about 2027.