Armin van Buuren regrets when mentioning his children: “I Missed Too Much”

In the dazzling world of global dance music, Armin van Buuren is a name synonymous with success, consistency, and euphoria. For over two decades, he has ruled the stages of Tomorrowland, Ultra, and Ushuaïa Ibiza, bringing joy to millions. But behind the confetti, lasers, and chants of “Armin! Armin!” lies a more fragile, human story—one of a father who carries deep regret for moments lost with his children.

In a recent, emotional interview, Armin van Buuren opened up about the toll his career has taken on his personal life, and for perhaps the first time, he publicly admitted: “I missed too much.” The trance legend who has headlined festivals on every continent revealed that the price of his superstardom wasn’t just sleepless nights and long flights—it was precious time with his kids that he can never get back.

Let’s take a closer look at this side of Armin van Buuren the world rarely sees.

A Global Icon, A Distant Father

Armin van Buuren is not just a DJ—he’s a global institution. With hit records like “This Is What It Feels Like” and his globally adored A State of Trance radio show, he’s toured non-stop for years. Fans around the world see him as a tireless performer. But that work ethic came with emotional consequences.

“I love my fans. I love the music. But being away for 200 nights a year… there are birthdays I missed. First steps I didn’t see. Moments I can’t recreate,” Armin confessed, visibly emotional.

While many artists have spoken about burnout or exhaustion, few have been as open as Armin about parental guilt—a unique, crushing emotion that doesn’t fade with applause.

The Cost of the Spotlight: “You Can’t Be in Two Places at Once”

For much of the 2010s, Armin van Buuren was one of the most in-demand DJs on Earth. With back-to-back weekends flying from Asia to Europe to South America, his schedule left almost no room for “normal” life. Though his wife Erika has been incredibly supportive, raising two kids while your partner is touring the globe presents immense challenges.

“I’d FaceTime the kids from a hotel in Vegas or São Paulo or Tokyo, and they’d be going to sleep without me again,” Armin said. “I told myself I was doing it all for them. But it still hurts.”

His son and daughter are now older and more aware of the world. Armin admits that they’ve started asking tough questions—questions he doesn’t always know how to answer. Why weren’t you at my school play? Why weren’t you home on Christmas?

These innocent inquiries hit harder than any late-night flight or stressful deadline.

Trying to Find Balance in a Demanding Industry

To his credit, Armin has tried to adjust his lifestyle. In recent years, he’s scaled back long-haul tours and embraced wellness routines like meditation, breathwork, and cold immersion therapy. His goal? To be more mentally and physically present—not just for the crowd, but for his family.

“I don’t want to be the dad who just brings home toys from the airport. I want to be there for breakfast. For soccer games. For life.”

He’s also increasingly selective about the gigs he takes. Where once he’d play six shows in a week, he now prefers curated, high-impact appearances—and then returns home as quickly as possible.

The man once known for going “nonstop” is learning that stopping is just as important.

A Wake-Up Call: The Pandemic Changed Everything

Ironically, it took a global pandemic to give Armin van Buuren the break he didn’t know he needed.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, touring stopped. For the first time in decades, Armin was home for weeks—then months—on end. While many artists struggled without shows, Armin discovered something profound: peace.

“I finally had dinner with my kids every night. I got to help with homework. I heard their little stories, saw them grow. I realized how much I had missed.”

That time, though born of tragedy and uncertainty, became a gift. It shifted his perspective on what really matters. The crowds will always be there, but his children’s childhood would not wait.

A Re-Definition of Success

Success, for Armin, used to mean sold-out shows and Platinum records. Now, it means something far more intimate.

“Success is walking my daughter to school. Watching my son’s face light up when I cheer from the stands. It’s being present,” he says.

He’s not abandoning music—not at all. But he is re-defining what his career looks like moving forward. Fewer shows. More meaningful ones. Longer breaks. And total commitment to fatherhood, something he admits took a backseat for too long.

What Other Artists Can Learn from Armin’s Honesty

Armin’s vulnerability is rare in the high-gloss, ego-driven world of electronic music. His confession—“I missed too much”—isn’t weakness. It’s strength. By admitting his regrets, he’s modeling a healthier path for younger DJs coming up today.

In an industry where burnout, substance abuse, and emotional isolation are common, Armin’s new approach offers an example of balance and reflection.

“Don’t wait until it’s too late,” he warns. “The career is amazing, but you can’t replace time with your kids.”

This message is resonating across the music community. Younger artists like Martin Garrix and Zedd have already begun to speak more openly about mental health, boundaries, and family time—all influenced in part by pioneers like Armin.

He’s Still Armin—Just a More Present One

Let’s be clear: Armin van Buuren is not disappearing. He’s still producing world-class trance, headlining festivals, and running A State of Trance like a boss. But he’s doing so with more intention, more presence, and more purpose.

Fans can expect to see him in curated events—perhaps fewer of them—but with more impact. Expect emotional sets, thought-provoking visuals, and music that reflects where he is in life.

“I still love performing,” Armin says. “But now I know when to say no. I know when to go home.”

The Next Chapter: Fatherhood First, Music Forever

As Armin van Buuren moves into this next chapter of his life and career, he’s not choosing between fatherhood and music. He’s choosing to do both—with better balance. His music may even take on a more emotional tone, reflecting his journey from regret to redemption.

“I can’t undo the years I missed,” he admits. “But I can make the most of what’s ahead.”

And fans, far from being disappointed, have responded with overwhelming support and empathy. It turns out that loving the artist means loving the person—and Armin’s honesty has only deepened that connection.

Final Thoughts: When the Beat Slows Down, the Heart Speaks Louder

Armin van Buuren’s admission—“I missed too much”—is not a confession of failure. It’s a declaration of growth.

In a world obsessed with more—more success, more followers, more shows—his decision to embrace less but better is revolutionary. As a father, he wants to make up for lost time. As an artist, he wants his music to carry deeper meaning. And as a human being, he’s learning to be fully present.

The lights will fade, the sets will end, but the love of his children will remain. And in the end, that may be the most powerful drop of his entire career.