It’s a date that hurts. On March 8, James Van Der Beek would have turned 49 – the first birthday the “Dawson’s Creek” star will no longer experience himself. His widow Kimberly Van Der Beek (44) did not let the day pass by in silence. She shared on Instagram on Sunday a series of personal photos and videos.
“It would be your 49th birthday today. And I miss you infinitely”, she wrote above one of the pictures showing her together with James. This was accompanied by more shots from the family album: James with the six children they share – daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn as well as sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
Comfort from daughter Emilia
Van Der Beek’s first birthday after his death becomes even more moving through a video that daughter Emilia recorded – on her own initiative, as Kimberly explained: “Emilia asked me if she could make a video to post today, went outside and came back with this.” In the clip the girl addresses her mother’s followers directly and gives advice on how to deal with the loss of a loved one. “If you miss them, you can cry and talk to them. I talk to my father every day”, she says – and adds that she is convinced he can hear her. “I know he’s in a good place now. He’s not in pain anymore, he’s in heaven.”
Emilia also recalls a conversation with her father: “Something my father told me was: If this doesn’t turn out the way he and we want it to, that he survives, I have to keep believing in miracles.” Kimberly concluded her post with thanks to the community: “Thank you so much for the enormous warmth, love and support for the family.”
Cancer diagnosis in 2023
James Van Der Beek died on February 11, 2025 at the age of 48 from the effects of stage three colorectal carcinoma. He had publicly announced the diagnosis in November 2024 – the cancer had already been discovered in August 2023 during a routine colonoscopy. The public sympathy was enormous, but the actor who became world-famous for his role as Dawson Leery fought the battle mainly within the circle of his family.
Renewed vows shortly before death
James and Kimberly had met in 2009, married in August 2010 and raised six children. In 2020 they left Los Angeles and built a new life for themselves in Texas. What few know: Shortly before his death, the two renewed their vows. “We decided to do it two days before, and friends got us new rings, filled our bedroom with flowers and candles – and we renewed our promises from the bed”, Kimberly told “People”. The ceremony was simple, but “beautiful and moving”.
After James’ death, friends of the family started a GoFundMe campaign to support Kimberly and the six children. The donation amount exceeded the one million US dollar mark in less than 24 hours. The costs for James’ medical treatment and the long battle against cancer had placed a heavy financial burden on the family, according to the donation platform.