Virgil van Dijk Family: Parents, Siblings, Wife, Children, and Early Life

Virgil van Dijk, born 8 July 1991 in Breda, Netherlands, is a Dutch professional footballer who captains Liverpool FC and the Netherlands national team. Though much is known about his exploits on the pitch, his family background—including his upbringing, relationship with his parents, siblings, wife, and children—also plays a big role in his story and is often searched by fans.

Parents of Virgil van Dijk

Virgil was born to a Dutch father, Ron van Dijk, and a Surinamese-Chinese mother, Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw. His mother’s heritage is a blend of Afro-Surinamese and Chinese descent—her great-grandfather, Chin Fo Sieeuw, emigrated from Guangdong (China) to Suriname around 1920.

When Virgil was 11, his father left the family. After some time living with his father, he chose to return to live with his mother, who then raised Virgil and his siblings largely on her own. His difficult relationship with his father is one factor behind Virgil’s decision to use only his first name (“Virgil”) on his jersey.

His mother, Hellen, is often described as a strong figure in his life. Many accounts credit her with instilling resilience, humility, and discipline in Virgil from an early age.

Siblings of Virgil van Dijk

Virgil has a younger brother and a younger sister. The brother is about two years younger, the sister about ten years younger. Both siblings were raised by his mother after his father departed. They keep relatively lower profiles compared to Virgil.

Virgil van Dijk’s Wife

Virgil met his longtime partner, Rike Nooitgedagt, in 2011 when he was about 20 years old. They married in the summer of 2017. Rike is often noted for being supportive of Virgil, especially balancing family life with the demands of professional football.

Children of Virgil van Dijk

Virgil and Rike have four children together. Their first child was born in 2014, and since then they have expanded their family. They have multiple daughters and at least one son.

Why Virgil van Dijk Uses Only “Virgil” on His Shirt

One of the things fans often ask is why van Dijk uses only his first name on his shirt. The reason stems from his relationship with his father. After his father left when he was young, Virgil and his siblings dropped their father’s surname in favor of being known simply as “Virgil,” a decision partly driven by the emotional distance and desire to honor his mother’s role in raising them.

Early Life and Influence of Family

Growing up in the Haagse Beemden district of Breda, Virgil was raised by his mother with his siblings after his father’s departure. His youth football began at WDS’19, then he joined Willem II at about age 8. His mother’s dedication, the challenges of his childhood, and the values she instilled (resilience, humility, dedication) are often cited by Virgil as foundational to his success.

FAQ About Virgil van Dijk’s Family

Who are Virgil van Dijk’s parents?
His parents are Ron van Dijk (father) and Hellen Chin Fo Sieeuw (mother).

Does Virgil van Dijk have siblings?
Yes, he has a younger brother and a younger sister.

Is Virgil van Dijk married and who is his wife?
Yes, he is married to Rike Nooitgedagt since 2017.

How many children does Virgil van Dijk have?
He has four children with Rike Nooitgedagt.

Why does Virgil van Dijk go by “Virgil” instead of using his surname?
Due to his strained relationship with his father, who left during his childhood, Virgil and his siblings dropped the surname, and he wears only “Virgil” on his shirt as a mark of respect to his mother and because of the impact of his father’s absence.