Michelle Buteau has built her career making audiences laugh with her candid observations about relationships, motherhood, and everyday life. While many know Michelle from popular films and series such as Survival of the Thickest and The Circle as well as Netflix comedy specials featuring her work; others may also be curious to meet Gijs van der Most – her husband.
Couple Michelle Buteau has been married for over 10 years, raising twin children together while managing successful careers in entertainment, photography and business. Although their private lives often remain out of view of public view, Buteau often shares touching and humorous tales from his marriage during interviews and stand-up performances.
Here is everything you need to know about Michelle Buteau and her husband’s enduring marriage.
Who Is Michelle Buteau’s Husband?
Michelle Buteau and Gijs van der Most are married; Gijs is an award-winning photographer and entrepreneur hailing from Holland.
After dating for several years, Hazel and Otis officially tied the knot on July 10 in New York City and have built their lives together since then.
van der Most has preferred not being in the spotlight and prefers instead concentrating on his creative endeavors and family ties.
Gijs van der Most is originally from the Netherlands.
Gijs van der Most was raised primarily in Amsterdam, Netherlands before migrating to America.
Michelle Buteau often draws upon Michelle Buteau’s Dutch heritage when making jokes about cultural differences between their backgrounds.
Buteau hails from an intense Caribbean household in New Jersey while van der Most was raised with what she describes as a much less structured Dutch attitude to life – two contrastive approaches that have provided endless sources of humor in her stand-up specials.
He Achieved Success as a Photographer
Gijs van der Most has made photography his specialty for more than 10 years now.
Since his graduation from Utrecht School of the Arts’s Photographic Design program in 2008, he began his professional photography career.
His portfolio encompasses editorial, commercial, portraiture photography with his work being showcased by top publications like People Magazine, Esquire magazine, Men’s Health magazine and Fast Company magazine.
Michelle may be more visible, but van der Most has quietly established his place within the creative industry through his photography.
Michelle Buteau Is also a Business Owner
Gijs van der Most is known for his photographic talents; however, in addition to photography he also acts as an entrepreneur.
Van der Most Modern is an interior decor and furniture business based out of Bushwick in Brooklyn that Michelle co-owns alongside him.
This company specializes in carefully selecting vintage and modern furniture sourced from the Netherlands, reflecting both couples’ appreciation of design, craftsmanship and unique home interiors.
Their Marriage Has Survived More Than 15 Years
Michelle Buteau and Gijs van der Most were married in July 2010 and since that day have seen each other through life’s most important milestones with love, strength and appreciation for one another.
Buteau has often talked about her unexpected marriage experience.
Interviews reveal she wasn’t always sure whether marriage would be part of the plan but always dreamed about becoming a mother.
She credits her husband as being instrumental in encouraging her to strive towards being the best version of herself.
Their Journey Toward Parenthood
One of the most memorable chapters in a couple’s journey together has been that of becoming parents.
Michelle and Gijs were blessed to welcome twin babies Hazel and Otis via surrogacy on January 30, 2019 following years of infertility treatments and multiple rounds of IVF.
Buteau has openly discussed the emotional challenges she encountered throughout her fertility process.
As soon as he saw how IVF was taking its toll on her both physically and emotionally, her husband suggested surrogacy as a possible solution.
Their decision has altered their lives permanently.
Michelle proudly described Hazel and Otis as her “rainbow at the end of a storm”, symbolising their journey into parenthood.
She continues to use her platform as an advocate to speak openly and reduce stigma surrounding both topics.
Different Parenting Styles Keep Things Interesting
Michelle Buteau’s comedy often explores the difference in parenting styles between her and her husband’s perspectives.
She often jokes that she’s an overly cautious parent who constantly worries about safety; in contrast to Gijs who tends to adopt more laid back approaches from Holland.
Michelle says that she regularly checks for potential hazards around the home while her husband encourages his children to solve issues independently.
No matter their differing approaches, she emphasizes how their parenting styles complement one another to form an ideal equilibrium within their family unit.
Hobbies May Divide People
Parenting issues don’t mark their only differences.
Michelle likes nothing better than to spend her weekends lounging around on the sofa while watching reality TV; while Gijs loves hiking, camping, paddleboarding and outdoor adventures.
Though she often pokes fun at his adventurous side through comedy routines, she occasionally joins him for camping trips and vacations featuring outdoor activities.
Their two distinct personalities have become one of the defining features of their relationship.
Gijs has provided Michelle with support throughout her career journey.
Gijs is rarely visible online and in public. Yet he consistently supports Michelle during major career milestones.
He has attended many important events with her, such as the Writers Guild Awards and Survival of the Thickest premieres, and most notably at NAACP Image Awards where Michelle received recognition for her television work.
Michelle has repeatedly noted how having an understanding partner has given her the courage to pursue opportunities she once believed impossible.
Why Fans Love Our Relationship
Michelle Buteau and Jason Buteau’s relationship is notable because it seems so genuine.
Instead of depicting an idealized love story, she candidly addresses the everyday realities of marriage such as cultural differences and parental conflicts while emphasizing communication as key.
These genuine anecdotes have proven some of the funniest and most relatable moments in her comedy act while simultaneously showing the immense respect she holds for her husband.
Michelle and Gijs have proven over 15 years since saying their vows that humor, patience, and mutual support can create lasting partnerships.
At Last
While Michelle Buteau may be known for making audiences laugh around the globe, Gijs van der Most has long been her biggest supporter behind-the-scenes. From building successful careers together through to infertility treatments and surrogacy agreements and raising a family together; their journey together has been marked with resilience, love, and plenty of laughter.
Their relationship continues to resonate with fans due to its authenticity, trustworthiness, and abundance of humor which has cemented Michelle as one of today’s premier comedians.
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
What does Michelle Buteau’s husband do?
Michelle Buteau’s husband, Gijs van der Most, is a professional photographer and entrepreneur. He also co-owns the furniture and home décor company Van der Most Modern with Michelle.
What is Michelle Buteau’s ethnicity?
Michelle Buteau has a multicultural background. Her father is of Haitian descent, while her mother is Jamaican, influences she often celebrates in her comedy.
What is Gijs van der Most’s background?
Gijs van der Most was born and raised in the Netherlands. He studied photographic design at The Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU) before moving to New York City, where he built a successful photography career.
What is Gijs van der Most doing now?
Today, Gijs van der Most continues working as a photographer while co-managing Van der Most Modern. He also focuses on family life with Michelle Buteau and their twins, Hazel and Otis, while supporting his wife’s growing career in television and comedy.

Hi, I’m Daniel, a content writer with over four years of experience covering celebrity news, social media personalities, influencers, and internet culture. I’m passionate about tracking breaking stories, viral trends, and creator updates, turning them into accurate, engaging, and easy-to-read content. My goal is to deliver trustworthy reporting that keeps readers informed while maintaining high editorial standards and a commitment to factual, timely journalism.
