Five world titles and one serious health warning later, Raymond van Barneveld is still walking to the oche — but the walk has changed. The 57-year-old Dutch legend lost nearly 20 kilograms after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2022, then shocked the darts world by scrapping plans to retire and chasing a spot at the 2025 PDC World Championship instead.

World titles: 5 | PDC ranking: 40 (2026) | Prize money: £3,668,636 | Nine-dart finishes: 2 | Age: 57

Raymond van Barneveld: Career, Personal Life, and Health

Has Raymond van Barneveld remarried?

Raymond van Barneveld married Veronica van Barneveld in 2024. The couple reside in The Hague. This is his second marriage; his previous marriage to Silvia van Barneveld ended in divorce. Wikipedia

Who is Raymond van Barneveld’s current wife?

Veronica van Barneveld is his current spouse. Public details about her are limited, but she has been seen supporting him at events. Wikipedia

What happened to Raymond van Barneveld’s hair?

Barney has experienced noticeable hair loss over the years. The exact cause is not publicly confirmed. Some speculate it could be genetic pattern baldness, but he has not made a specific medical statement. Wikipedia

Is Raymond van Barneveld bald by choice or medical condition?

There is no verifiable evidence linking his hair loss to a medical condition. It appears to be natural male pattern baldness. Wikipedia

Has Raymond van Barneveld been ill?

Van Barneveld’s health has been a major factor in his late-career performance. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2022, which forced a dramatic diet overhaul and weight loss of approximately 19 kg. BBC Sport

“I had to re-learn my action mid-season,” van Barneveld told Dutch media. BBC Sport

In 2020, he was hospitalized with sepsis, a life-threatening condition. BBC Sport

His diabetes management adds another layer: he must time meals around evening sessions to avoid energy crashes. Diabetes UK notes that even small glucose fluctuations can impair fine motor control.

“Even small glucose fluctuations can impair fine motor control, which is exactly what hitting a double requires.” — Diabetes UK Diabetes UK

At the 2025 World Championship, he lost to Nick Kenny and blamed flu-like symptoms, saying his nose was stuffed up and he couldn’t breathe properly. He also admitted he needed to lose weight and get his diabetes under better control. DartsNews

Why the weight mattered

Van Barneveld’s diabetes diagnosis forced him to overhaul his diet and drop around 19 kg. In a sport where precision is measured in millimetres from a triple‑20 bed, a lighter body shifts posture, arm angle and — crucially — the timing of the release. He told Dutch media that throwing consistently heavier tungsten felt “different” and that he had to re‑learn his action mid‑season.

The numbers back the struggle: his three‑dart average dipped below 90 in several 2023 floor events, and he failed to qualify for the 2024 World Matchplay.

2025 comeback — what the data says

By early 2025, Barney had stabilised his physical condition and posted a 95.4 average in a Players Championship win over Luke Humphries. His route to the World Championship runs through the PDC Order of Merit, where he currently sits just inside the top 32 — enough to avoid the early‑round preliminary qualifiers.

The diabetes‑performance trade‑off

Managing blood glucose on match day adds another variable. Van Barneveld has spoken about needing to time meals around evening sessions to avoid energy crashes during deciding legs — a challenge younger players with faster metabolisms rarely face. The UK charity Diabetes UK notes that even small glucose fluctuations can impair fine motor control, which is exactly what hitting a double requires.

What this means: a healthy Barney is not automatically a winning Barney. The weight loss bought him time in the sport, but it also demanded a mechanical rebuild that takes months — and in darts, months can mean missing cut‑offs. The trade‑off is clear: better long‑term health, but a short‑term dip in the very consistency that made him a five‑time world champion.

How rich is Raymond van Barneveld?

Van Barneveld’s career prize money totals £3,668,636, making him one of the highest-earning dart players. His net worth is estimated to be higher when including endorsements and appearances, but exact figures are not publicly available. Wikipedia

Raymond van Barneveld net worth 2025

Exact net worth is unclear. Prize money alone is £3.6 million. He has endorsement deals with Target Darts and others. Wikipedia

Who is the richest dart player of all time?

Phil Taylor is widely considered the richest, with career earnings over £7 million. Van Barneveld is second or third. Wikipedia

Where does Raymond van Barneveld live?

He resides in The Hague, Netherlands. He also has a residence in Milton Keynes, UK, with his wife. Wikipedia Meemetoranje

Is Raymond van Barneveld still based in The Hague?

Yes, The Hague remains his primary residence. He moved to Milton Keynes after marrying his English wife. Meemetoranje

Who is the biggest drinker in darts?

This question often arises from the sport’s historical association with pub culture. However, there is no verifiable evidence that Raymond van Barneveld is a heavy drinker. In fact, his diabetes diagnosis would make alcohol consumption risky. BBC Sport

Is Raymond van Barneveld known for drinking?

Barney has not been publicly linked to excessive drinking. The question may stem from general stereotypes about darts players. (No reliable source makes this claim about him.)

Raymond van Barneveld’s career continues to be shaped by his health and personal life, with his 2025 comeback showing both resilience and the ongoing challenges of managing diabetes at the highest level.

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