Sharon Den Adel — Biography

Sharon den Adel, whose full name is Sharon Janny den Adel, is the captivating voice and creative force behind the Dutch symphonic metal ensemble Within Temptation, a band that emerged in 1996. Her musical journey began at the young age of 14, and alongside her vocal talents, she holds a bachelor's degree in fashion design. Her childhood was a tapestry of international experiences, as her family relocated frequently, spending time in no fewer than ten different nations, including periods in Indonesia and Suriname. Upon returning to the Netherlands from Suriname, she shared that she faced bullying in school due to her distinctive personal style, her hair, and her darker complexion. Instead of conforming to the pressure to shed her background and assimilate with her peers, she now draws inspiration from the diverse locations of her upbringing, weaving these influences into both her musical endeavors and her fashion sense. Den Adel shares her life with long-term partner and bandmate Robert Westerholt, and together they are parents to three children. Their eldest arrived in December 2005. In February 2009, Den Adel revealed she was expecting their second child, who was welcomed in June of that same year. By November 2010, she announced she was anticipating their third, with news of that child's arrival coming in March 2011. Den Adel and Westerholt officially married in 2018.