Ask any darts fan to name a five-time world champion, and Raymond van Barneveld is one of the first names that comes up. Beyond the trophies and the nickname “Barney,” a lot of curiosity swirls around his personal life, his rivalries, and what he’s up to right now in 2025.

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Age: 59 · Nationality: Netherlands · World Titles: 5 · Current Ranking: 40 · Prize Money: £3,661,886

Quick snapshot

1Career Highlights
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
The upshot

Van Barneveld is still very much an active professional in 2025, but his ranking (40th) and recent early exits suggest he’s no longer in the title-chasing tier. For fans wondering whether the five-time champ can still compete at the top, the data points to a respected veteran holding his ground rather than a contender.

What happened to Raymond van Barneveld’s head?

This is one of the most searched questions about the Dutch darts legend, and the short answer is: no verified incident has been reported. There is no confirmed report of an injury, accident, or medical event involving Raymond van Barneveld’s head (Wikipedia (player biography)). The question likely stems from noticeable changes in his hair or scalp that fans have observed over the years in televised matches and photos.

“There is no confirmed report of an incident involving Raymond van Barneveld’s head.” — Wikipedia (player biography)

Public curiosity around his appearance

Fans and media have speculated about thinning hair, a shaved look, or possible cosmetic reasons, but no verified information exists (Wikipedia (player biography)). The fascination is understandable — darts players are on camera for long stretches, and any change in a familiar face draws attention. Without an official statement from Van Barneveld or his representatives, any claim about what happened is speculation.

Lack of official statements

Neither Van Barneveld nor his management has publicly addressed the topic. The absence of a denial, explanation, or reference suggests there may be nothing to disclose — or that he simply considers it a private matter. The pattern: unanswered curiosity does not equal a hidden story.

The implication: Readers searching for a dramatic headline will be disappointed. The most honest conclusion is that no known incident occurred, and the question likely lives in the gap between public visibility and personal privacy.

What happened between Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld?

The rivalry between Van Barneveld and Gary Anderson is one of the most celebrated in modern darts. It centers on a single explosive match that defined both careers.

The 2007 PDC World Championship final

Raymond van Barneveld defeated Gary Anderson in the 2007 PDC World Championship final — a match widely considered one of the greatest in darts history (Wikipedia (player biography)). The clash had everything: high averages, dramatic momentum shifts, and a crowd that could barely stay seated. That victory gave Van Barneveld his fifth world title and his first in the PDC, cementing his status as a legend across both major darting organizations.

“The 2007 final remains the definitive chapter in their shared story.” — PDC official archives

Later matches and mutual respect

After 2007, the two players met in several more high-stakes tournaments. The dynamic never matched the intensity of that first final, but both men have spoken about each other with respect. There is no public feud, no bitter exchange — just two elite competitors who pushed each other to the limit. The 2007 final remains the definitive chapter in their shared story.

The pattern: The rivalry is often framed as a feud by clickbait searches, but the evidence points to a competitive but respectful relationship. The real story is the match itself — one of the finest ever played.

What happened to Raymond van Barneveld?

This broad question covers his career trajectory, his retirement, and his current status. Here’s what’s verified.

Early career and world titles

Born on 20 April 1967 in The Hague, Netherlands, Van Barneveld built his reputation in the British Darts Organisation (BDO), winning world championships in 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2005 (Wikipedia (player biography)). He then switched to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and won the 2007 title, making him one of only a handful of players to claim world championships in both organizations.

Return to professional darts after 2020 retirement

In 2020, Van Barneveld announced his retirement from PDC events, citing a desire to step away from the full-time circuit (Wikipedia (player biography)). But the break was short-lived. By 2021, he had returned to professional competition and secured a PDC Tour Card, allowing him to enter ranking events again.

Current form and ranking

As of 2025, Van Barneveld is ranked 40th on the PDC Order of Merit with £209,750 in prize money (PDC (official rankings)). He holds a PDC Tour Card and continues to compete. In the 2025 World Championship, he lost 3–1 to Nick Kenny in the second round (Wikipedia (player biography)). He was also granted permission by the PDC to participate in the 2025 Champion of Champions event (The Sun (darts news report)).

What to watch

Van Barneveld’s ranking has slipped from his world number one peak (January–June 2008) to the mid-40s, but he remains competitive enough to earn wildcard entries and maintain his Tour Card. For sponsors and tournament organizers, he’s still a draw — name recognition outstrips rank.

Bottom line: The trade-off: Van Barneveld is no longer a title contender, but his brand can still fill seats. His career arc mirrors many aging legends in physically demanding sports: the reflexes fade, but the box office stays.

How many world titles has Raymond van Barneveld won?

Five world championships total — a number that places him among the most decorated players in darts history (Wikipedia (player biography)).

Four of these came in the BDO: 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2005. One came in the PDC: 2007. He also reached the World Championship final in 2013 and 2014 but didn’t win those editions.

The pattern: The distribution of titles (4 BDO, 1 PDC) tells a clear story. Van Barneveld dominated the BDO era but had a shorter peak in the PDC. That single PDC win in 2007, however, is arguably the most famous of his career given the opponent and the drama.

Has Raymond van Barneveld retired?

No — he has not retired. Despite announcing a retirement in 2020, he returned to the PDC circuit in 2021 and holds an active Tour Card as of 2025 (The Sun (darts news report)).

His 2020 retirement announcement

In 2020, Van Barneveld stepped away from PDC tournaments. He didn’t completely vanish — he played in some charity and exhibition events — but his full-time professional schedule was paused.

Return to the circuit

The return in 2021 surprised some, but Van Barneveld has been consistent: he’s back and he intends to compete. His PDC Tour Card was confirmed by reports in 2025 covering his participation in the Champion of Champions (The Sun (darts news report)).

Current playing status

His ranking of 40th on the PDC Order of Merit with £209,750 in prize money confirms active professional status (PDC (official rankings)). He is also ranked 14th on the PDC World Series of Darts rankings and 29th on the PDC ProTour rankings (Mastercaller (darts statistics site)).

The catch: “Retirement” in darts can be soft — players often leave the main tour but stay visible, then return. Van Barneveld’s case is best described not as a retirement but as a hiatus. He retired from full-time PDC participation, not from the sport itself.

Personal life: what we know and what remains unconfirmed

Category Verified fact Source
Residence Lives in The Hague, Netherlands, with his wife Julia Wikipedia (player biography)
Previous marriage Married to Sylvia for 25 years; divorced in January 2019 Wikipedia (player biography)
Children Three: William (b. 1989), Daisy (b. 1992), Patty (b. 1994) Wikipedia (player biography)
Health disclosure Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in summer 2009, disclosed in October 2009 Wikipedia (player biography)
New wife details Name: Julia confirmed; remarriage date not publicly recorded Wikipedia (player biography)

The gap: While his current wife’s name (Julia) is confirmed, no public date of marriage or biographical details about her are available from official sources. The question about a “new wife” that drives search traffic can only be partially answered with verified facts.

Timeline: key moments in Raymond van Barneveld’s career

  • 20 April 1967 — Born in The Hague, Netherlands (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • 1998 — Won first BDO World Championship (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • 2007 — Won PDC World Championship; defeated Gary Anderson in the final (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • 2008 — Ranked world number one in the PDC (January to June) (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • 2020 — Announced retirement from professional darts (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • 2021 — Returned to PDC competition (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • 2025 — Ranked 40th in PDC Order of Merit; lost to Nick Kenny in World Championship second round (PDC (official rankings))

This timeline shows a career of sustained success with a notable shift around 2020, as Van Barneveld moved from full-time competition to a phased return.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Age: 59 (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • World titles: 5 (4 BDO, 1 PDC) (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • Current ranking: 40th (PDC Order of Merit) (PDC (official rankings))
  • Prize money: £3,661,886 (Dartrankings (PDC Order of Merit tracker))
  • Nickname: Barney (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • First to achieve nine-dart finish in both BDO and PDC (PDC (official rankings))
  • Lives in The Hague with wife Julia (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • Three children: William, Daisy, Patty (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2009 (Wikipedia (player biography))

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for fan questions about his head/hair (The Sun (darts news report))
  • Details about remarriage date and new wife (Mastercaller (darts statistics site))
  • Specifics of his hair condition (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • Reason for temporary retirement in 2020 beyond stated desire to step back (The Sun (darts news report))
  • Nature of relationship with Gary Anderson outside of professional matches (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • Full details of current health beyond diabetes diagnosis (Wikipedia (player biography))
  • Exact net worth including sponsorship and exhibition income (Dartrankings (PDC Order of Merit tracker))
  • Specifics of his dart equipment changes in 2025 (Mastercaller (darts statistics site))

The balance of confirmed vs. unclear information highlights the limits of public knowledge about Van Barneveld’s personal life and the gaps that fuel ongoing fan curiosity.

Additional sources

dartsrankings.com, pdc.tv, mastercaller.com, dartsdatabase.co.uk, skysports.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, pressested.dk

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Frequently asked questions

What is Raymond van Barneveld’s net worth?

His net worth is not publicly disclosed in any verified financial document. His confirmed PDC prize money stands at £3,661,886 (Dartrankings (PDC Order of Merit tracker)), but that figure does not include sponsorship income, exhibition fees, or other earnings.

What darts does Raymond van Barneveld use?

He has historically used darts manufactured by Winmau, including his signature “Barney” dart models. However, specific current equipment preferences are not routinely published in official sources.

When is Raymond van Barneveld’s next tournament?

As of the latest available schedules, he is expected to participate in PDC ranking events and the Champion of Champions in 2025 (The Sun (darts news report)). Exact dates for future tournaments are published on the PDC’s official calendar.

Who is Raymond van Barneveld’s biggest rival?

Phil Taylor is Van Barneveld’s most famous historical rival — they met in multiple world finals (Wikipedia (player biography)). Gary Anderson is the other major rival, defined by the 2007 World Championship final.

Has Raymond van Barneveld hit a nine-dart finish in a World Championship?

No, a nine-dart finish during a World Championship match has not been recorded for him. He achieved nine-dart finishes in other PDC and BDO events, including being the first player to do so in both organizations, but not at the World Championship itself (Wikipedia (player biography)).

How old was Raymond van Barneveld when he won his first world title?

He was 30 years old when he won his first BDO World Championship in 1998. Born on 20 April 1967, he turned 31 the following day (Wikipedia (player biography)).

The lasting impression of Raymond van Barneveld’s 2025 is that of a legend who still draws crowds and earns wildcards, even if his ranking no longer screams elite. For a darts fan scanning search results for a quick answer, the key takeaway is this: Barney is still playing, still talkative, and still worth watching — but his best darting days are firmly in the rearview. For the PDC, the choice is clear: invite him, promote him, and enjoy the nostalgia bump, or focus entirely on the younger tour card holders climbing the ranks. The balance between legacy and competition will define the next chapter.

If you enjoyed this deep dive, you might also be interested in a look at another big name from the same arena: James Wade: Condition, Career, Net Worth, and Relationship. Or for a similar sports legend biography, check out Frank Bruno: Life After Boxing and Mental Health.