Barcelona and Netherlands legend Ronald Koeman has announced the death of his wife Bartina in a heartbreaking statement from the former Southampton and Everton manager
Football legend Ronald Koeman has announced the heartbreaking death of his wife after four decades together.
Bartina Koeman-Boddeveld has sadly passed away following a long battle with cancer. The 65-year-old was married to the legendary Dutch defender and manager for 41 years. Bartina passed away on September 15, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Former Southampton and Everton manager Koeman, 63, took to social media to announce the death of his partner. He said: “With intense sadness, but also with great pride and love, we say goodbye to my beautiful wife, our dearest mom and grandma.”
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Bartina had a long battle with breast cancer, which she was first diagnosed with in 2010. Following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the cancer went into remission but sadly returned in 2018, where it had spread to her spine.
In 2023, it was reported that it had returned again as a chronic form of breast cancer. Koeman confirmed in 2025 that the cancer had spread to her liver leaving the family worried.
Bartina described her condition as stable in June this year, while receiving weekly treatment. She was unfortunately unable to accompany Koeman to the World Cup, where he managed the Netherlands, due to the treatments.
She leaves behind three children Debbie, Tim and Ronald Koeman Jr, who now plays for SC Telstar as a goalkeeper.
Koeman left his role shortly after an early exit at the World Cup when Netherlands were dumped out of the tournament by Morocco in the round of 32. Fellow Barcelona legend Xavi picked up the role as Koeman’s replacement.
Bartina stood by the football icon during his illustrious career, which began at Groningen before he joined Ajax and won the Eredivisie. He then joined rivals PSV Eindhoven, winning three consecutive Eredivisie titles and the European Cup in 1988.
In 1989, Koeman moved to Barcelona and became part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’, helping the club win La Liga four consecutive seasons and the 1991–92 European Cup, where he scored the winning goal of the final against Sampdoria.
He was one of the stars of the great Netherlands national team, alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, that won Euro 1988.
In his managerial career, Koeman has won three Eredivisie titles, twice with Ajax, and once with PSV, while also taking charge in the Premier League and back in Spain with Barcelona.