Robert Westerholt

Robert Westerholt (born 2 January 1975) is a Dutch guitarist who is a founding member of the symphonic metal band Within Temptation. He writes music for the band, which is fronted by his partner and band vocalist Sharon den Adel. Westerholt used to work in human resource management before his career with Within Temptation.

Work prior to Within Temptation Westerholt was born in Waddinxveen, South Holland. In 1992, he formed the band The Circle with future Within Temptation keyboard player Martijn Spierenburg, and he began writing his own music. The Circle's first demo, entitled Symphony No. 1, was finished in December 1992. At this point, The Circle had a complete lineup, composed of Westerholt, Martijn, Jeroen van Veen (Within Temptation's bassist), Arjan Groenedijk and Ernst van der Loo, although Arjan and Ernst both left the band a while later. Westerholt and den Adel eventually married in 2018.