Thibaut Courtois, the acclaimed Belgian goalkeeper for Real Madrid, has had a public and often scrutinized romantic journey throughout his illustrious career. From early controversies that made headlines to finding enduring love and starting a family, his relationships have frequently captured media attention. Courtois's love life reflects a progression from challenging public incidents to a settled and happy family life.
One of the earliest and most publicized incidents in Courtois's romantic history involved Caroline Lijnen, the then-girlfriend of his Belgian national teammate Kevin De Bruyne. In 2012, while Courtois was on loan at Atlético Madrid, Lijnen publicly revealed she had an affair with him. She stated that she sought revenge after De Bruyne allegedly cheated on her, claiming Courtois offered her comfort and attention that De Bruyne did not.
Following this controversy, Courtois entered a significant relationship with Marta Dominguez, a Spanish woman with whom he had two children. Their relationship spanned several years, leading to the birth of their daughter, Adriana, and son, Nicolas. However, the couple ultimately split in 2017, with Courtois stating that the geographical distance and their differing lives contributed to the separation; he was in London playing for Chelsea, while she remained in Madrid.
During his relationship with Marta Dominguez, Courtois faced further public allegations of infidelity. Reports emerged in 2014 of an alleged affair with a tapas waitress, followed by claims in 2015 of a fling with Belgian model Emily Vanhoutte. While these were widely reported in the media, Courtois largely remained silent on the specific allegations, focusing on his professional career amidst the personal challenges.
After his separation from Marta Dominguez, Courtois was briefly linked to American reality television personality and model Brittny Gastineau. Their rumored relationship reportedly occurred between 2017 and 2018. This period marked a more private phase in his dating life, with fewer confirmed details emerging publicly compared to his previous high-profile entanglements.
Courtois's romantic narrative took a significant turn when he met Israeli model Mishel Gerzig. Their connection began in early 2021 after Courtois commented on one of Gerzig's social media posts featuring her dog. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they publicly announced they were dating in August 2021, sharing their affection on social media.
The couple's relationship progressed steadily, culminating in an engagement in June 2022. Courtois proposed to Gerzig on a yacht during a vacation in Amalfi Coast, Italy, a moment they shared with their followers online. Gerzig, who is Jewish, also introduced Courtois to Israeli culture and traditions, with the goalkeeper expressing keen interest in learning about her heritage.
In June 2023, Thibaut Courtois and Mishel Gerzig tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony held at the Château de la Croix des Gardes in France. The wedding was a private but well-documented affair, with the couple sharing stunning photographs on their social media. This marriage marked a new, stable chapter in Courtois's personal life, following years of public scrutiny.
Most recently, the Courtois-Gerzig family expanded with the birth of their daughter, Elly, in April 2024. Elly is Courtois's third child and his first with Mishel Gerzig, further solidifying their family unit. The couple frequently shares glimpses of their life together, showcasing a strong and supportive partnership that has brought stability to the renowned goalkeeper's personal world.
Thibaut Courtois's romantic journey has been a public spectacle, evolving from early controversies and the challenges of maintaining relationships amidst a demanding career to finding a lasting partnership. His current marriage to Mishel Gerzig and their growing family signify a period of personal contentment and stability for the Real Madrid star, a stark contrast to the turbulent early years of his public romantic history.