Tijs Verwest

Early Life

Tijs Michiel Verwest, known professionally as Tiësto, was born on January 17, 1969, in Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands. His passion for music ignited at the age of 12, influenced by radio shows like the Ferry Maat Soulshow. By 14, he was already DJing at school parties, marking the beginning of his professional journey. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Tiësto honed his skills at various clubs in the Netherlands, particularly at the Spock club in Breda, where he developed his unique live style.

Career

Tiësto's career took off in the mid-1990s when he began releasing music under various aliases, including Da Joker and DJ Limited. In 1997, he co-founded Black Hole Recordings, which became a significant platform for his music. His collaboration with fellow DJ Ferry Corsten as the trance duo Gouryella further solidified his reputation in the electronic music scene. Over the years, Tiësto has explored various genres, including trance, electro house, and progressive house, earning accolades such as the Grammy Awards and the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Dutch Act. He was also named "The Greatest DJ of All Time" by Mix magazine in a 2010/2011 poll.

Personal Life

In September 2019, Tiësto married model Annika Backes, who is 27 years his junior, in a picturesque ceremony in Amangiri, Utah. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in November 2020, followed by a son in August 2022. Beyond his music career, Tiësto is known for his philanthropic efforts, including his role as an ambassador for the Dance4Life foundation, promoting awareness of HIV/AIDS. He has also participated in various charity events, raising significant funds for causes such as disaster relief and AIDS research.