Van Halen Family History & Genealogy

Eva Van Halen was born on August 20, 1906, and died at age 73 years old in April 1980. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Eva Van Halen.

Eugenia Van Beers was born on September 21st, 1915, in Banten, Indonesia, to Frans Van Beers (1888 - 1921) and Eugenia Rygelo Mafficioli del Castelletto (1893 - 1976). She had one sister, Nicoline Van Beers (1916 - 2004). Eugenia is best known as the mother of musician Eddie Van Halen. Eugenia Van Beers married Jan van Halen on August 11, 1950. They moved to Holland in 1953, where they lived in Amsterdam and had two sons, Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen, in 1953 and 1955, respectively. In 1962, the family moved to California. Jan continued playing music while taking on part-time jobs to support the family. Eugenia wanted him to get a stable job, but Jan continued with his music. Eugenia was especially upset as their sons became interested in music as well. Jan passed away from a heart attack in May 1986. But Eugenia lived until August 4th, 2005, in Beverly Hills, California, where she witnessed her sons' successes before her death at the age of 89.

Jan van Halen was born on January 18th, 1920 in Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Hermanus van Halen (1881 - 1960) and Jannetje Berg (1883 - 1958). Both of his parents were born in the Netherlands. Jan had moved temporarily to Indonesia and on August 11th, 1950, he married Eugenia Van Halen in Jakarta, Indonesia. After moving back to the Netherlands, Eugenie and Jan had two sons, musicians Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen. In 1962, the entire family moved to Southern California, where Jan continued playing his music while supplementing the family income with his odd jobs. His wife, Eugenia, wanted a more stable life and became even more upset with Jan when their sons pursued music as well. Jan died of a heart attack on December 9th, 1986 in Pasadena, California at the age of 66 years old. While he was a musician throughout his life, it actually paid off because he passed on his love of music to his two sons, who became world-famous musicians.

Albert Van Halen of Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD was born on October 18, 1922, and died at age 73 years old on January 4, 1996.

Alexander Arthur "Alex" Van Halen was born on May 8th, 1953 in the Netherlands to Jan van Halen (1920 - 1986) and Eugenia Van Halen (1915 - 2005). He had one brother, Eddie Van Halen. The family moved to the United States in 1978 and Alex became a naturalized citizen. He and his brother, Eddie, formed a band with three friends while they were still in grade school and in 1972, Alex and Eddie went on to form the hard rock/heavy metal band "Van Halen", later adding Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth in 1974. Alex played the drums and Eddie was a guitarist. After great success with their band, Van Halen, Eddie died in 2020. Alex married Stine Schyberg in 2000, He had married Kelly van Halen in 1984, and they divorced in 1996. He had previously married Valeri Kendall in 1983. They divorced the same year. He had children Aric and Malcom Van Halen. As of May of 2024, Alex is still living.

Considered one of the best and most innovative guitarists of all time, Eddie Van Halen (born in Amsterdam, Netherlands to Jan van Halen and Eugenia Van Halen, moved with his family (which included his older brother, Alex Van Halen) to the US in 1962. Both Alex and Eddie began piano lessons, although Eddie later admitted he couldn't read music: He learned to play by watching and listening and often improvised, even in recitals. Alex moved on from piano to guitar and Eddie moved over to the drums but after hearing Alex play "Wipe Out," Eddie thought the guitar was more interesting - switching again! Alex and Eddie then formed their first band (with three other boys, Eddie was in the 4th grade) called "The Broken Combs" (if you were around in the '60s, your first thought may be men's long hair!) In 1972, they went on to form their first professional band, later named "Van Halen," that performed in and around Los Angeles. In 1977, they got their first contract with Warner Records and by the early 1980s, Van Halen became "one of the most successful rock acts of the time." Eddie also played in other venues and was the holder of three patents related to guitars. In 1981, he married actress Valerie Bertinelli and they had one son (Wolfgang). They officially divorced in 2007 and Eddie married his girlfriend, Janie Liszewski in 2009. Both Valerie and Wolfgang attended the ceremony. In 2000, Eddie received treatment for tongue cancer - which resulted in the loss of 1/3 of his tongue. Then, around 2014, he developed throat cancer. It eventually spread throughout his body and resulted in his passing 5+ years later. Speaking at an event at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 2015, Eddie discussed his life and the American Dream, saying "We came here with approximately $50 and a piano, and we didn't speak the language. Now look where we are. If that's not the American dream, what is?"