Karlien van Jaarsveld (born 21 December 1985) is a South African singer and actress. She is best known for her debut album, As Die Gordyn Val, released in 2010.
The Afrikaans singer has also released hit songs such as “Beter as Liefde” and “Jakkals trou met wolf se vrou,” which reached platinum status. She won the South African Music Award for Best Pop Album (Afrikaans) in 2014 for her album Uitklophou.
| Karlien van Jaarsveld | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Karlien van Jaarsveld |
| Born: | 21 December 1985 (age 39 years old) |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Bob van Jaarsveld (father) Ronel Brink (mother) |
| Occupation: | Singer, actress |
| Years active: | 2005-date |
| Genre: | Afrikaans pop |
| Spouse: | Derick Hougaard (m. 2013; div. 2015) Joe Breytenbach (m. 2017) |
| Children: | Daniël Hougaard (son) Eliah Hougaard (son) Elah Breytenbach (daughter) Johannes Samuel Breytenbach (son) |
| Siblings: | Bobby van Jaarsveld (brother) Cara (sister) |
Early Life
Karlien van Jaarsveld was born on 21 December 1985 in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa, to Bob van Jaarsveld and Ronel Brink. She has two younger siblings, a brother, Bobby, and a sister, Cara.
Growing up, her family moved frequently, which made it difficult for her to make new friends. Her father discovered that she had been missing class for six months while supposedly studying. She eventually dropped out of school.
Career
Karlien began performing with her brother Bobby in 2005 as a backing vocalist and guitarist. In 2006, she sang a duet with him on his first album and decided to pursue a solo career in 2008.
Karlien later joined the group Die Melktert Kommissie and later formed her own rock band, Revolusie. She released her debut album, As die Gordyn val, in 2010, and her second album, Jakkals Trou Met Wolf Se Vrou, in 2011.
She bagged three awards at the 2012 Ghoema Music Awards, for Female Artist of the Year, Pop Record of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. In 2014, she won the SAMA for Best Pop Album (Afrikaans) for her album Uitklophou.
As a solo artist, Karlien has collaborated with many artists. She released the duet “Lief” with Jacob Swann in 2022. She also worked with Robbie Wessels, Anlia Star, and Ruhan du Toit on the single “Saam Suid-Afrika“.
In 2024, Karlien released the single “Beter Vir Ons Albei” with singer Joshua na die Reën and the duet “Ek Verstaan” with Dodo Nyoka. She also collaborated with Jan Bloukaas to release “Alaska“.
Aside from singing, Karlien has tried her hand at acting and dancing. She was cast in the Afrikaans movie Platteland, with Steve Hofmeyr, Bok van Blerk, and Lianie May in 2011.
In 2014, she appeared in a guest starring role on the 10th season of the kykNET soap opera Binnelanders. She entered as a celebrity contestant on the reality competition series Strictly Come Dancing (season eight) and won in 2015.
Karlien appeared in the first episode of kykNET’s new season of the short series Net Mens. She and her younger brother Bobby were the subjects of the Showmax reality series Bobby & Karlien: In Jou Skoene from 2017 to 2019.
Personal Life
Karlien van Jaarsveld married the former rugby player Derick Hougaard in 2013. They had two children, Daniël and Eliah. She and her ex-husband, Derick, divorced in the High Court in Pretoria in 2015. She went to stay with her brother, Bobby van Jaarsveld, for three months.
Karlien married Joe Breytenbach in 2017. She had two children, a daughter, Elah, and a son, Johannes Samuel, with her current husband, Joe. Her daughter, Elah, suffers from a condition, portal vein thrombosis.
Discography
- As die gordyn val (2010)
- Jakkals Trou met Wolf se Vrou (2011)
- Uitklophou (2013)
- My hartjie (2015)
- Sing vir liefde (2017)
- Die Beste Tot Nou (2018)
Filmography
TV Shows
- Binnelanders as Herself
- Getroud met Rugby: Die Sepie as Herself
- Hotel as Karlien van Jaarsveld
- Noot vir Noot as Guest Artist
- Parlement Parlement as Gas-deelnemer
- Strictly Come Dancing as a Celebrity Dancer
- The South African Music Awards as a Winner
- Tropika Island of Treasure as Contestant
Films
- Platteland (2011)
- As Jy Sing (2013)
References
- Cornelia Le Roux.”Karlien van Jaarsveld: From a rebel with torn stockings, Derick Hougaard and into the fountain“. The Citizen.
- Renate Engelbrecht. “PICS: Bobby and Karlien celebrate at ‘laatlam’ sister’s wedding“. The Citizen.
- Graye Morkel. “Karlien van Jaarsveld and Joe Breytenbach celebrate 6 years together“. News24.
- Zelda Venter. “Quiet divorce for Karlien and Derick“. IOL.
- “Double dose of van Jaarsveld magic at The Boardwalk“. www.suninternational.com.
- https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=17217
