James Van Der Beek Renewed Wedding Vows With His Wife From His Bed Before His Passing

Feb 25, 2026 by apost team

The love story of James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, reflects a partnership shaped by devotion, resilience, and shared purpose. In a deeply personal moment, James and Kimberly chose to reaffirm their love by renewing their vows in an intimate bedside ceremony surrounded by loved ones before the beloved actor passed away.

The couple first met during a journey to Israel in 2009, a trip that marked the beginning of a relationship grounded in spirituality and connection. Their bond deepened quickly, leading them back to the region the following year to exchange vows. On Aug. 1, 2010, they married in Tel Aviv in an intimate ceremony that blended spontaneity with personal meaning.

The actor, known for his role in “Dawson’s Creek,” later described the day with humor and gratitude. Kimberly had dreamed of a specific officiant and date, and the details aligned unexpectedly. Their ceremony unfolded in an unconventional location at the Kabbalah Centre, adding to the sense of destiny that shaped their story.

He once recalled the whirlwind celebration: “We rushed to get ready, had a bunch of people we didn’t know (and a few we did) dance around us, got ambushed by Israeli paparazzi afterwards, then ate at an outdoor Lebanese dive with plastic tablecloths and chairs and amazing food... and we were off.”

Over time, their family grew to include six children: daughters Olivia (born 2010), Annabel (born 2014), Emilia (born 2016), and Gwendolyn (born 2018), along with sons Joshua (born 2012) and Jeremiah (born 2021). Their journey together reflected both public milestones and private challenges, marked by enduring commitment and a shared sense of adventure.

Reflecting on their marriage, he wrote: “We’ve gone through success, tragedy, joy, stress, triumph, uncertainty, and through it all… these have been the best years of my life. Every moment. Because I have the BEST adventure partner. Our life is CRAZY right now. We might be crazier. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Kimberly confirmed her husband’s passing in a message shared on Instagram on Feb. 11, 2026, following his battle with colorectal cancer. Her tribute honored James’ character and faith. In detail, she wrote:

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” adding, “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

Before his passing, the couple shared a deeply personal moment by renewing their wedding vows in their bedroom. Kimberly described how the ceremony came together with the support of friends and family. In a conversation with PEOPLE, she explained:

“We decided two days beforehand and our friends got us new rings, filled our bedroom with flowers and candles and we renewed our vows from bed.”

Loved ones attended in person while others joined virtually, turning the intimate gathering into a meaningful farewell celebration. Instrumentalist Poranguí performed during the ceremony, concluding with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which Kimberly described as part of the “simple and beautiful and moving” moment.

Following his passing, friends set up a GoFundMe page to garner support for his family. The campaign quickly surpassed $2.6 million, far exceeding its initial goal of $250,000. According to the description, the fund was created after “the costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.”

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James and Kimberly Van Der Beek’s love story reminds us of what truly matters in life. Which moment touched you most? Let us know, and then pass this on to other fans of the late actor.