Rob Jetten: The Netherlands' First Openly Gay Prime Minister

Rob Jetten, 38, has made history as the new prime minister of the Netherlands, becoming the first openly gay individual to hold this prestigious office. He has been candid about his sexual orientation throughout his career. In 2024, he became engaged to Nicolás Keenan, a 28-year-old Argentine field hockey player, whom he met serendipitously four years ago in a supermarket in The Hague.

A Unique Meeting

The chance encounter led to contact via Instagram, sparking a relationship. Keenan, a member of the Klein Zwitserland first-division hockey club, was aware of Jetten's political presence, having seen him in humorous TikTok videos. These clips portrayed Jetten as an ideal partner for Jesse Klaver, the head of the Dutch social democratic party GroenLinks–PvdA, who is married with children.

A Political Career

Jetten's political journey began in 2008, leading to his election as a lawmaker for the Democrats 66 party in 2017. In 2020, he garnered attention by reading aloud homophobic comments he received online, helping to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues. Today, he boasts nearly 380,000 followers on Instagram. While their relationship blossomed, Keenan initially hesitated to go public due to concerns about potential backlash in elite sports environments that prioritize discipline and confidence.

Nicolás Keenan's Background

Keenan has been immersed in hockey since childhood, a passion that runs through his family. His father, Patricio, was a coach for the Egara club in Terrassa, Spain. On his mother's side, his uncle Santiago represented Argentina in the Olympic Games and coached the women's national team. Keenan transitioned to the senior national team at 22 and competed in both the Tokyo 2021 and upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.

Embracing Identity

As the first openly gay player in the Dutch first division of hockey, Keenan faced difficulties acknowledging his relationship with Jetten. However, in a candid interview with Trouw in April 2024, he expressed that he had been battling internal struggles but found strength in his connection with Jetten. “I'd never felt the connection I have with Rob. That gave me the confidence that this is the right path,” he shared.

Public Support and Relationship Growth

Numerous comparisons have been made between their story and popular media, such as the series Heated Rivalry and Red, White and Royal Blue, which explore themes of concealed relationships in sports and politics. For Jetten, his bond with Keenan has been a profound journey of self-discovery. He described their love, saying, “I didn't even know it was possible to be so in love.”

Engagement and Wedding Plans

When announcing their engagement on Instagram, the couple hinted at their upcoming union with the caption, “soon to be Mr. and Mr.” Jetten disclosed that he had always doubted marriage would be in his future, stating, “it was me who was proposing” to Nicolás. On a television program, he shared that the wedding would take place in Spain, humorously noting the cultural nuances involved.

Support and Challenges

As their relationship matured, Keenan's friends began to notice his frequent late nights. After a year from their initial meeting, he introduced Jetten to them. The couple frequently shares their happy moments on social media, with Jetten cheering for Keenan during games regardless of the weather.

Advice from Queen Máxima

During this journey, Keenan received valuable advice from Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, who emphasized the importance of speaking Dutch fluently to navigate social interactions better. Simultaneously, Jetten is learning Spanish, with Nicolás correcting him along the way.