15 Years And Twins: Inside Michelle Buteau's Enduring Love Story With Photographer Gijs Van Der Most
Comedian Michelle Buteau is a powerhouse of infectious energy, known for her stand-up, her hit Netflix series Survival of the Thickest, and hosting *The Circle*. As of late 2025, her personal life is just as vibrant as her career, centered around her rock-solid marriage to her Dutch husband, Gijs van der Most. This article dives deep into their over 15-year relationship, revealing the secrets to their enduring love, their journey to parenthood with twins, and the latest updates on their life together in New York City.
Their story is a testament to the fact that a strong partnership can thrive amidst the chaos of a booming comedy career and the challenges of modern family life. From a chance meeting in a New York City bar to walking red carpets together in 2025, the Buteau-van der Most household is anything but boring, built on a foundation of humor, support, and a shared perspective on the world.
Michelle Buteau and Gijs van der Most: A Complete Biographical Profile
The foundation of Michelle Buteau's life is her marriage to Gijs van der Most. Their combined profile paints a picture of two creative souls—one a comedian and actress, the other a visual artist—who found a perfect balance in their professional and personal lives.
- Michelle Buteau (Wife)
- Full Name: Michelle Buteau
- Born: July 24, 1977
- Place of Birth: New Jersey, U.S.
- Occupations: Stand-up Comedian, Actress, Television Host, Author, Producer (known for *The Circle*, *Survival of the Thickest*, *Welcome to Buteaupia*).
- Ethnicity: Haitian and Jamaican descent.
- Gijs van der Most (Husband)
- Full Name: Gijs van der Most (Pronounced "Hice")
- Born: The Netherlands
- Place of Birth: The Netherlands (lived in Amsterdam for many years).
- Occupations: Photographer, Visual Artist, Documentary Filmmaker.
- Nationality: Dutch.
- Notable Projects: Documentary work including "Used Car Salesmen," "Yard Sales," "Sign Jugglers," and "I ♥ Runyon Canyon."
- Relationship Timeline
- First Met: Late 2000s, at a party in New York City.
- Long-Distance Period: Approximately two years, commuting between New York and Amsterdam.
- Marriage Date: July 2010.
- Children: Twins, Hazel and Otis, born in January 2019 via surrogate.
The Unexpected Love Story: From NYC Party to a Global Commute
The origin story of Michelle Buteau and Gijs van der Most is a classic New York City romance with a major European twist. They met in the late 2000s at a party, a chance encounter that Michelle Buteau often recounts with her signature humor. She describes their connection as immediate and undeniable, despite their vastly different backgrounds—a Jersey-born comedian and a Dutch photographer.
Overcoming the Long-Distance Hurdle
What followed their initial spark was a two-year-long, transatlantic relationship. Gijs was living in Amsterdam, and Michelle was building her career in New York. This period of their lives was characterized by expensive plane tickets, late-night phone calls, and an unwavering commitment to making the relationship work. Michelle has openly shared the financial and emotional strain of this time, joking about having to rely on "miles or, like, GoFundMes" just to see each other. This challenging phase ultimately cemented their bond, proving their dedication before they finally tied the knot in July 2010.
The couple now resides in New York City, where Gijs relocated to be with Michelle. His professional work as a photographer and documentary filmmaker, with projects like "I ♥ Runyon Canyon," complements Michelle's creative endeavors in the entertainment world, creating a true power couple dynamic.
Life with Twins: Hazel and Otis and the Buteaupia Household in 2025
The Buteau-van der Most family expanded in 2019 with the arrival of their twins, a daughter named Hazel and a son named Otis, born via surrogate. Michelle Buteau has been candid about her five-year struggle with infertility, an emotional journey that she has shared with her audience, adding another layer of depth to her public persona.
Parenting in the Spotlight
In 2025, the twins are now toddlers, and Michelle often shares hilarious, relatable anecdotes about parenting. She embraces the chaos, describing her life as a working mother to two energetic children as both "holy sh*t" and "amazing." Her openness about the reality of motherhood—balancing a demanding career with the needs of her family—resonates deeply with her fans, making her a beloved figure in the parenting community.
The family life in their Brooklyn home is a frequent, warm subject in her stand-up and interviews. She highlights the cultural blend in their home, with Gijs bringing his Dutch heritage and Michelle her Caribbean-American roots, ensuring their children are exposed to a rich tapestry of traditions and languages.
The Partnership in 2025: Red Carpets and Creative Support
The year 2025 has been another busy one for the couple, showcasing their continued support for each other's careers. Michelle’s career is at an all-time high, with the success of her show *Survival of the Thickest* and her hosting duties on *The Circle*.
Gijs van der Most on the Red Carpet
Gijs van der Most is frequently seen by Michelle’s side at major industry events. A clear indicator of their current status was their joint appearance at the *Survival of the Thickest* Season 2 Premiere in March 2025. These public appearances are a quiet, powerful symbol of Gijs’s unwavering support for his wife’s success, often captured by the same cameras he uses for his own artistic endeavors.
While Michelle is the public face, Gijs maintains a strong creative career behind the camera. His documentary work often focuses on everyday life and social issues, providing a grounding balance to Michelle’s high-energy comedy world. This mutual respect for each other's art forms—her comedy and his photography—is a key element in their over-a-decade-long marriage.
The Secret to Their Longevity
When asked about the key to her long-lasting relationship, Michelle Buteau often points to humor and the ability to laugh at the absurdity of life. She has also spoken about the importance of ignoring conventional advice, especially the advice she was given early on to not get married. Their ability to navigate a long-distance relationship early on, followed by the intense period of infertility struggles and then raising twins, speaks volumes about their resilience and deep-seated commitment. Their story is a refreshing reminder that true love is often found in the most unexpected places and requires continuous, intentional effort, even when one partner is a global superstar.
Detail Author:
- Name : Alivia Green II
- Username : daphne12
- Email : yschneider@cruickshank.com
- Birthdate : 1990-04-25
- Address : 823 Major Spur Apt. 464 Monafort, NV 70261-3667
- Phone : 620-845-3612
- Company : Wuckert, Gislason and Greenfelder
- Job : Lodging Manager
- Bio : Ducimus exercitationem ut magnam impedit et. Facilis qui est omnis eos. Reiciendis totam quidem et odio eveniet et. Nihil officiis libero dolores aut numquam ut.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/jmoore
- username : jmoore
- bio : Dolor ad eaque ut. Molestiae officia voluptas pariatur. Laudantium minima ea et et est dolorum sunt est.
- followers : 1772
- following : 1200
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/jacinthe_official
- username : jacinthe_official
- bio : Consequuntur nam enim et.
- followers : 5808
- following : 1566
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/jacinthe_id
- username : jacinthe_id
- bio : Laboriosam corporis autem odio et voluptas ex ipsum. Omnis possimus non cumque cumque.
- followers : 4692
- following : 741
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/jacinthe.moore
- username : jacinthe.moore
- bio : Voluptate voluptas corrupti possimus eligendi amet necessitatibus commodi.
- followers : 3276
- following : 2213
