How many kids does Guy Pearce have? Everything to know as partner Carice van Houten announces split

Actor and musician Guy Pearce and his partner actress Carice van Houten have called off their relationship. The news was shared by Houten in an Instagram story on January 22, 2025. She revealed that the two have been separated for years. Posting a photo of her with Pearce on the Instagram story, she wrote:

“I don't usually engage in discussions about my personal life, but because of a number of conclusions in the media last week regarding my relationship with Guy, I wanted to make something clear He and I are great friends and love each other very much, but we haven't been a 'couple' for years.”

The actor has only one kid, eight-year-old Monte, with Carice van Houten. In the Instagram post, Houten engaged in a slight banter by writing she was sorry for not mentioning the news of their split earlier. Nonetheless, she expressed pride in her successful partnership with Guy Pearce, emphasizing their shared joy in raising their son and his pet hamster.

In a recent interview with The Guardian on January 18, 2025, Pearce discussed his past relationships, describing his first wife, Kate Mestitz as the "greatest love of his life." However, he also emphasized the significant role Monte played in his life.

Guy Pearce reportedly started dating Carice van Houten in 2015, following his separation from Kate Mestitz. Pearce and Mestitz had a long-term relationship They met in college in the 1980s and got hitched in 1997. They separated in 2015, citing mutual respect and a desire to support each other.

---

Guy Pearce said his emotions became more fluid after Monte’s birth

In a 2021 interview with The Independent, it was mentioned that becoming a father deepened Pearce's emotional connection and understanding of his feelings. He recalled someone telling him that parenthood felt like "living with your heart on the outside," emphasizing the intense vulnerability and emotional exposure that came with the job.

Guy Pearce reflected on how his acting career initially benefited from his emotional access, but years of therapy had led to greater emotional stability. He said:

“Since having my boy though, I cry at the drop of a hat again.”

When Monte was born in 2016, the actor shared an interesting post on his X with the caption:

“A cute little package arrived and told us his name's Monte Pearce. We think we're gonna keep him. Placenta smoothie anyone? @caricevhouten”

In an interview with The Times in 2022, Guy Pearce revealed he never wanted to become a father. He and Kate Mestitz mutually agreed not to have children. Pearce explained that his past experiences, particularly helping raise his sister with an intellectual disability, had shaped his decision against having children. He felt he had already fulfilled his role as a caregiver and was content with that aspect of his life.

However, Guy Pearce mentioned that Monte’s birth completely changed his perspective. He acknowledged a deep love for his child but admitted to an initial period of disbelief and adjustment. His mind struggled to reconcile his previous certainty about not wanting children with the overwhelming reality of fatherhood.