Who is Rob Jetten? 7 Photos to Get to Know the First Openly Gay and Youngest Prime Minister of the Netherlands

The Netherlands witnessed history on 23 February 2026, as Rob Jetten was sworn in as the country's youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay leader to hold the post. Jetten, 38, rose to power following a snap election held in October 2025, where his party, Democrats 66 (D66), secured its best-ever result with 26 seats, narrowly defeating the far-right Freedom Party (PVV).

Jetten leads the centrist D66, which governs in a minority coalition with the liberal-conservative VVD and the centre-right CDA. Together, the coalition holds 66 out of 150 seats in parliament.

In an X post, Jetten said taking up the role as the prime minister is a 'tremendous honour.' He also posted a photo along with his cabinet members, writing in Dutch: 'Sworn in. We're going to begin. Let's get to work.'

Early Life

Born on 25 March 1987 in the village of Veghel, Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten grew up in Uden in North Brabant. He studied public administration at Radboud University, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees. Jetten describes himself as a 'politics nerd.'

Before entering politics, he served in ProRail, the state-owned railroad infrastructure company, where he did management and regional supply work before going into national politics. Outside of work, he is a dedicated athlete who runs marathons and participates in triathlons. Notably, he once served as a pace-setter for Olympic champion runner Sifan Hassan.

Entry into Politics

Early in his political career, Jetten was nicknamed 'Robot Jetten' for his rehearsed speaking style. Over time, he has rebranded himself as a social media-savvy leader, known for optimism and his slogan 'Het kan wel' or 'it is possible.'

He is considered a moderate, pro-European politician with a strong interest in climate policy and democratic reform. Throughout almost a decade, Jetten has earned the reputation as a pragmatic deal-maker and reformist voice in Dutch politics.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

There is no public record of Jetten's net worth, though estimates place it between £850,000 and £2.5 million. His income stems mainly from political roles and his previous career. He has a reputation for living a relatively simple life despite his high-profile position. Although he works in The Hague, he resides in Utrecht.

Engagement to Nicolás Keenan

Jetten is openly gay and is engaged to Argentine professional field hockey player and two-time Olympian, Nicolás Keenan, 28. The couple first met in 2022, coinciding with Jetten's relocation during farmers' protests for safety reasons.

They announced their engagement in November 2024. Keenan posted their engagement photo on Instagram with the caption: 'Soon we will be Mr. & Mr.' The couple plans to marry this year in Spain.

When Jetten won the seat, he publicly thanked his fiancé, writing: 'Dear Nico, thank you for your unconditional support. I can't do it without you.'

Priorities for the Netherlands: Housing, Climate, Defence

Although Jetten has set out ambitious plans for the Netherlands, his minority coalition means he must secure both votes and trust from other parties for his coalition government's plans to take effect.

Jetten has prioritised the return to pragmatic, pro-European leadership to restore Dutch influence on the global stage. Among his priorities is tackling the housing crisis in the country. His administration plans to accelerate the construction of new neighbourhoods and implement stricter eligibility checks for social housing.

Jetten is committed to the 'Innovation State' model, promising a significant public investment in renewable energy to ensure a competitive energy transition. He is also introducing a 'Freedom Contribution' to finance a massive £16 billion (€19 billion) expansion of the Dutch armed forces and sustain military aid to Ukraine. He also aims to protect the education budget from cuts and introduce stricter health regulations for the legal age to use tobacco to 21.

Jetten has pledged to govern with an 'outstretched hand.' His leadership is defined by optimism and consensus-building, but he faces challenges in bridging the divide between the left and the right.