Just days before his death on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer, actor James Van Der Beek privately renewed his wedding vows with his wife, Kimberly. The intimate ceremony, arranged with the help of close friends, offered a poignant final moment for the couple and their loved ones. This touching act of devotion underscores the deep connection Van Der Beek shared with his family in the face of his illness.
Kimberly Van Der Beek shared details of the impromptu vow renewal with People magazine, describing it as “simple and elegant and moving.” Friends quickly secured new rings and transformed their bedroom into a romantic setting with flowers and candles. The ceremony included musical accompaniment from Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Poranguí, who played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as the couple reaffirmed their commitment to one another.
James and Kimberly first met in 2009 while vacationing in Israel, and they married on August 1, 2010, in Tel Aviv at the Kabbalah Centre, according to Prime Timer. Together, they raised six children: Olivia, 15; Annabel, 12; Emilia, 9; Gwendolyn, 7; Joshua, 13; and Jeremiah, 4.
