James Van Der Beek’s Intimate Vow Renewal Before His Passing
James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, recently renewed their wedding vows in a small, heartfelt ceremony shortly before his death from colorectal cancer.
In a conversation with a magazine, Kimberly, who is 44, shared that just days before Van Der Beek’s passing on February 11 at age 48, they held a “simple, beautiful and moving” vow renewal with close family and friends, some attending via Zoom.
“It was a last-minute decision,” Kimberly recounted. “A friend gifted us a new ring, and we filled our bedroom with flowers and candles, then renewed our vows right from bed.” It was a sweet moment existing in a time of struggle.
She noted that her friend, Brazilian musician Polangi, played “the most beautiful music” during the ceremony, even ending it with the classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
James and Kimberly first crossed paths in Israel back in 2009 and exchanged vows on August 1, 2010, in a small ceremony at the Kabbalah Center in Tel Aviv. They shared six children: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabelle, 12, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 7; and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 4.
On their 13th wedding anniversary in 2023, James expressed his love for Kimberly, reminiscing about their wedding day in a nostalgic tribute. He recalled how, “the man who came to you in a dream” told her about their wedding date, and they hurriedly got ready surrounded by people and paparazzi before heading out for a celebratory meal in a casual Lebanese eatery.
“These years have been a mixture of everything: success, loss, happiness, stress… but they’ve truly been the best of my life. I’ve got the ultimate adventure partner in you,” he shared. His words were filled with affection and gratitude.
Sadly, James revealed his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, more than a year before he passed away. The public became aware of his health struggles only in late 2024, after his initial diagnosis earlier that year.
Kimberly announced his death on February 11 via James’ official Instagram account, saying, “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning.” The statement shared his courageous spirit in facing his illness while calling for privacy for the family as they grieve.
In the wake of this loss, close friends initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Kimberly and their children. Many folks reflected on the emotional and financial challenges the family faced during James’ illness. The GoFundMe page highlighted their significant medical bills and the need for support.
As they navigate this new chapter, the family’s unknown future adds to the weight of their situation. The campaign concluded by expressing gratitude toward supporters, emphasizing how every bit of help could ease the burdens and help maintain some semblance of normalcy for the children.
Just a couple of days after the fundraising launched, over $2 million was raised, with contributions from notable figures like Zoe Saldaña and Steven Spielberg. The organizers acknowledged the immense support from the community, noting how it served as a reminder of love and togetherness during such a heartbreaking time.
