Ronald Koeman and wife Bartina together.
Ronald Koeman and wife Bartina together. (Image: @bartinakoeman)
Football icon Ronald Koeman has tragically announced the death of his wife, Bartina, after four decades of marriage together. Bartina Koeman-Boddeveld has died at the age of 65, after a long battle with breast cancer. They had been married for 41 years and had three children.
Bartina died on September 15 and the former Barcelona, Southampton, Everton and Netherlands manager took to social media to announce the heartbreaking news: "With intense sadness, but also with great pride and love, we say goodbye to my beautiful wife, our dearest mom and grandma."
Bartina was first diagnosed with cancer in 2010. After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the disease entered remission but resurfaced in 2018, having metastasised to her spine.
In 2023, reports emerged that it had reappeared as a chronic manifestation of breast cancer. Koeman disclosed in 2025 that the cancer had progressed to her liver, causing considerable concern for the family.
Bartina described her situation as stable in June this year, while undergoing weekly medical intervention. She was prevented from joining Koeman at the World Cup, where he led the Netherlands, due to ongoing treatment.
She is survived by three children, Debbie, Tim and Ronald Koeman Jr, who currently represents SC Telstar as a goalkeeper.
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Koeman left his position shortly after a premature World Cup exit, when the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 32.
Fellow Barcelona legend Xavi subsequently stepped in as his successor.
After resigning from the national team, Koeman wrote on Instagram: “The past years have made me realize again that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes.
“My wife Bartina has supported and encouraged me every day to finish my work as a national coach despite her own illness process. That is a testimony to incredible strength.”
Two individuals are posing for a photograph, standing closely together and smiling. The man is wearing sunglasses and a black ve
Ronald and Bartina on holiday together. (Image: @bartinakoeman)
Barcelona led tributes to Bartina, writing on social media: “FC Barcelona and its supporters send their deepest condolences and affection to Ronald Koeman and his family for the passing of his wife, Bartina Koeman. May she rest in peace.”
Bartina stood faithfully beside the football icon throughout his distinguished career, which began at Groningen before he moved to Ajax and won the Eredivisie title. He subsequently joined fierce rivals PSV Eindhoven, where he secured three successive Eredivisie championships and the European Cup in 1988.
In 1989, Koeman moved to Barcelona, becoming a key figure in Johan Cruyff's famed 'Dream Team', guiding the club to four consecutive La Liga titles and the 1991–92 European Cup, in which he netted the decisive goal in the final against Sampdoria.
He was amongst the standout performers in the celebrated Netherlands national side, alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, that triumphed at Euro 1988.
Throughout his managerial career, Koeman has secured three Eredivisie titles — twice with Ajax and once with PSV — while also taking the reins in the Premier League and returning to Spain with Barcelona.