The Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister, Rob Jetten, and his fiancé, Argentine Olympic hockey player Nicolás Keenan, are preparing to become fathers. The couple announced on October 19 that they are expecting their first child in spring 2027 through altruistic surrogacy, marking a deeply personal milestone for one of Europe’s most visible LGBTQ+ political figures.
A special announcement
The couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post, accompanied by an ultrasound image and a photograph with Lisa, the woman carrying their child.
“Someone very special is on the way. See you in 2027, little one,” they wrote, sharing the announcement in Dutch, English and Spanish.
They also expressed their gratitude to the two women who helped make their dream of becoming parents possible: an egg donor and their surrogate, Lisa.
According to Jetten’s political party, Democrats 66 (D66), both women are Dutch acquaintances of the couple who already have children of their own. The arrangement is entirely altruistic, with neither woman receiving commercial compensation.
The pregnancy was made possible through IVF treatment in the Netherlands, in accordance with the country’s rules governing fertility treatment and surrogacy.
A historic moment for the Dutch prime minister
At 39, Jetten is both the youngest prime minister in Dutch history and the first openly gay person to lead the country’s government.
His relationship with Keenan, an Argentine international field hockey player who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has attracted considerable public attention.
The couple became engaged in November 2024 and had planned to marry in 2026. However, their wedding was postponed after Jetten took office in February, as his new responsibilities required changes to their plans.
Now, the two are preparing for an entirely different milestone: parenthood.
Their announcement is also historically significant. Jetten is set to become the first sitting Dutch prime minister to welcome a child since the Second World War.
Surrogacy and LGBTQ+ families in the Netherlands
Although the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001, surrogacy remains a complex legal and political issue.
Altruistic surrogacy is possible under certain conditions, but commercial surrogacy arrangements are prohibited. The country is also considering legislation intended to clarify the legal recognition of children born through surrogacy and the rights of intended parents.
Jetten’s announcement has brought renewed attention to the realities faced by same-sex couples seeking to start families, particularly the legal, financial and practical challenges associated with assisted reproduction.
The prime minister has previously spoken publicly about his wish to have children with Keenan, acknowledging that the process can be especially complicated for two men.
A new chapter in 2027
The baby is expected in spring 2027. According to D66, Jetten intends to take a few days away from his official duties following the birth, although he is not currently planning an extended period of parental leave.
For now, the couple have asked the public to respect the privacy of everyone involved in the pregnancy.
Their announcement represents more than a personal celebration. For many LGBTQ+ people, seeing an openly gay head of government preparing to raise a family with his male partner is another visible example of how family life and political leadership can coexist.
Photo: Instagram / @jettenrob
Leave a Reply