Behind the Curtain: The Untold Struggles of André Rieu’s Life!
André Rieu, a name synonymous with classical music, particularly waltzes, has captivated audiences around the globe for decades.
As he celebrates his 75th birthday in 2025, his life is a tapestry woven from triumph, love, and an unyielding spirit.
However, behind the scenes, another story unfolds—one of Marjgerie Ru, the woman who has been his unwavering support and guiding force throughout his illustrious career.
For nearly fifty years, Marjgerie has been the unseen engine driving André’s rise to international stardom.
She was not just his wife; she was his writer, his manager, and his fiercest protector.
Together, they conquered the classical music world, transforming waltzes into a global phenomenon.
Yet, after years of working silently in the background, Marjgerie is now stepping away from the stage she helped build.
The reason for this significant change is deeply personal and rooted in a tragic shift in André’s health that altered their lives forever.
As André celebrates this milestone birthday, the question lingers: what happened to the woman who held everything together for so long?
The unraveling began in 2010, but its effects were fully felt by 2012, at the height of André’s fame.
Known as the king of the waltz, André was selling out arenas with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, effortlessly juggling tours, television specials, and media appearances.
He seemed untouchable, immune to the physical toll of his demanding schedule.
However, one fateful night in July 2010, during a holiday in Belgium, everything changed.
At 3:00 a.m., André awoke to a terrifying sensation: the world around him was spinning out of control.
Drenched in sweat and unable to stand, he initially dismissed it as exhaustion.
But by morning, the dizziness intensified, prompting a visit to the doctor.
The diagnosis was devastating: vestibular neuritis, a viral infection affecting the inner ear and causing severe vertigo.
For André, this was catastrophic; he could not walk straight or hold his violin without feeling as if the world was spinning around him.
The timing could not have been worse, with a massive sold-out show scheduled in Amsterdam just a week later.
For the first time in his career, there would be no triumphant comeback.
His doctor ordered strict rest, and that was when everything began to spiral—not just for André, but for Marjgerie as well.
Marjgerie Ru, a language teacher by training, had always been the quiet yet unshakable force behind André’s empire.
Married since 1975, she had managed the business, written for him, and safeguarded his time and energy.
But now, with André unable to perform, he was forced to cancel his Australian tour and later his UK performances, leading to an economic crisis.
The fallout was staggering, affecting over 120 people who relied on André’s concerts for their livelihoods.
Suddenly, his illness was not just a personal setback; it was a financial catastrophe.
From their 15th-century castle in Maastricht, Marjgerie became the anchor, handling communications and forcing André to focus on recovery.
Despite his instinct to power through the illness, it was Marjgerie who reminded him that this was not a test of willpower but a matter of survival.
For three long months, André could barely get out of bed, let alone perform.
Shame weighed heavily on him; he felt he was letting everyone down, including his grandchildren.
As he struggled with his illness, Marjgerie took on a more significant role, managing the business while ensuring André focused on healing.
Together, they created two lists: one of everything André loved—playing music, performing concerts—and the other of everything that drained him—meetings, negotiations, press events.
The second list was far longer.
From that moment on, they made a life-changing decision: André would focus only on music, while Marjgerie would shield him from everything else.
This was about more than just reducing stress; it was about survival.
As André slowly recovered, the emotional toll lingered, and the fear of relapse haunted him.
Marjgerie had seen him at his weakest, and she knew how close he had come to breaking.
By 2013, André was back on stage, his recovery faster than expected, thanks to therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
However, the fear of another health scare remained, prompting André to reevaluate his life.
In 2017, he faced another health scare that forced him to make permanent changes to his lifestyle.
He enlisted a personal trainer, adopted a new diet, and established a strict routine focused on stamina and strength.
This discipline allowed him to continue performing shows that ran late into the night, even in his 70s.
Through it all, André kept his circle tight, carrying family photos and his wedding ring as anchors during his whirlwind tours.
The castle in Maastricht, once a childhood dream, became the heart of his life, where Marjgerie waited, watching his performances from afar.
She never needed the spotlight to prove her worth; her quiet strength was the foundation of their partnership.
As the years passed, their relationship remained rooted in the same energy that had drawn them together in the 1970s.
Despite the challenges they faced, they never wavered in their commitment to each other and their shared dreams.
Their journey was not without obstacles, as they navigated the complexities of balancing family life with André’s burgeoning career.
Marjgerie played an integral role in shaping André’s success, managing logistics, writing speeches, and supporting him through every performance.
Their big break came in 1994, but success did not mean smooth sailing, as financial challenges threatened to derail their dreams.
Yet, Marjgerie’s calm and calculated approach kept everything afloat during turbulent times.
Even as André’s fame grew, Marjgerie remained in the background, never seeking the limelight.
She traveled under her maiden name and avoided public appearances, allowing André to shine while she quietly supported him.
At home, André’s pace has slowed; he now finds joy in cooking and spending quiet hours with Marjgerie in their indoor garden.
This sanctuary, designed by André, is a place of peace amid the chaos of touring.
As André’s unstoppable drive continues to propel him forward, he carries the legacy of his father-in-law, Edgar Kman, a Holocaust survivor.
Edgar’s influence shaped André’s musical journey, instilling in him the courage to pursue his dreams.
André’s performances are a celebration of life, blending cultures and honoring the past while looking toward the future.
As he marks his 75th birthday with a global cinema event titled “The Dream Continues,” André’s story is far from over.
With new faces joining the Johan Strauss Orchestra, including Emma, André’s legacy continues to grow and evolve.
While Marjgerie steps back, her role is not over; she has already fulfilled it, having built the foundation upon which their success stands.
The world sees André, but it is Marjgerie who has carried the dream through every challenge, ensuring that their story of love, resilience, and music lives on.
