Joran van der Sloot’s former wife, Leidy Figueroa, has returned to public attention as renewed coverage of the Natalee Holloway murder case examines the Dutch convicted killer’s personal life. Recent reports have revisited his marriage inside a Peruvian prison, the daughter he shares with Figueroa and the circumstances surrounding their separation. The renewed interest comes as Holloway’s mother, Beth Holloway, has spoken publicly about confronting Van der Sloot over her daughter’s murder.

Van der Sloot married Figueroa in July 2014 while serving a prison sentence in Peru for the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez. Their relationship lasted several years before reports of their separation emerged in 2023. Although his romantic life has attracted considerable attention, his marriage remains closely connected to the circumstances of his imprisonment.

Who Was Joran van der Sloot’s Wife?

Joran van der Sloot’s former wife, Leidy Figueroa, is a Peruvian woman who worked as an accountant before becoming widely known through her relationship with the convicted murderer.

Figueroa attracted international media attention after marrying Van der Sloot while he was incarcerated in Lima, Peru.

Unlike her husband, whose criminal cases had already received extensive worldwide coverage, Figueroa had largely lived outside the public spotlight.

Their relationship began after she visited the prison where Van der Sloot was serving his sentence. Reports indicate that she originally encountered him while visiting another inmate.

The two subsequently developed a romantic relationship, despite Van der Sloot’s conviction for murdering a young Peruvian woman.

Figueroa publicly supported him during their relationship and eventually decided to marry him.

Their unusual circumstances made the wedding an international news story, particularly because Van der Sloot was already one of the most recognisable suspects associated with the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway.

Joran van der Sloot and Leidy Figueroa’s Prison Wedding

Joran van der Sloot and Leidy Figueroa married on July 4, 2014, during a civil ceremony at Lurigancho prison in Lima.

The wedding took place inside the prison because Van der Sloot was serving a lengthy sentence for the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez.

At the time, Figueroa was pregnant with their first child, making the ceremony an important family occasion despite the unusual setting.

The marriage was conducted under Peruvian law, which allows eligible incarcerated individuals to marry while serving prison sentences.

Their wedding attracted substantial media coverage because of Van der Sloot’s criminal history and the unresolved questions surrounding Holloway’s disappearance.

Figueroa had previously expressed her belief that Van der Sloot deserved support and an opportunity to maintain family relationships while imprisoned.

However, the marriage also attracted criticism from people who questioned how someone convicted of a serious violent crime could establish a new family while incarcerated.

Despite the controversy, the couple continued their relationship and welcomed a daughter later that year.

Does Joran van der Sloot Have a Daughter?

Joran van der Sloot and Leidy Figueroa have one daughter, Dushy van der Sloot, who was born on September 30, 2014.

Her birth occurred nearly three months after the couple’s prison wedding.

The child became an important part of their family story, although Van der Sloot remained incarcerated throughout her early childhood.

Figueroa was responsible for raising their daughter outside prison while maintaining contact with her husband during their marriage.

Because of the intense publicity surrounding Van der Sloot’s criminal cases, relatively little verified information has been released about their daughter’s upbringing.

Her parents’ relationship attracted attention from international media, but the child has generally remained outside public reporting.

As of November 2026, Dushy is 12 years old.

Her father’s imprisonment has meant that their family circumstances differ considerably from those of most households, with visits and communication subject to prison regulations.

Why Did Joran van der Sloot and Leidy Figueroa Separate?

Reports of problems in Van der Sloot’s marriage emerged in 2023, when his attorney confirmed that he and Figueroa were pursuing a divorce.

The separation followed reports that Van der Sloot had developed a romantic relationship with another Peruvian woman, Eva Pacohuanaco.

According to accounts published at the time, Pacohuanaco had also met Van der Sloot through prison visits.

The development attracted renewed attention because it suggested that his relationship with Figueroa had deteriorated after nearly nine years of marriage.

Figueroa had previously remained supportive of her husband despite his imprisonment and the widespread criticism surrounding his criminal history.

The reported involvement of another woman became a central explanation for the breakdown of their marriage.

Although the couple’s divorce was publicly discussed, detailed court documentation confirming the precise date of its finalisation has not been widely available.

There is also no reliable public confirmation of a current marriage involving Van der Sloot.

Where Is Joran van der Sloot Now?

Joran van der Sloot remains imprisoned in Peru, where he is serving sentences connected to the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez and additional drug-trafficking offences committed while incarcerated.

He was convicted in 2012 of murdering Flores, a 21-year-old Peruvian student, in a Lima hotel room in May 2010.

The crime occurred exactly five years after Natalee Holloway disappeared during a graduation trip to Aruba.

In October 2023, Van der Sloot admitted that he had killed Holloway in 2005. His confession was made during proceedings in the United States involving charges that he attempted to extort money from her family.

He received a 20-year federal prison sentence for extortion and wire fraud, arranged to run concurrently with his Peruvian imprisonment.

The confession provided Holloway’s family with long-awaited information about what happened to their daughter, although her remains have never been recovered.

Renewed coverage in November 2026 has brought attention back to the case, particularly after Beth Holloway discussed her confrontation with Van der Sloot.

For readers asking about Joran van der Sloot’s wife, Leidy Figueroa remains the woman he married during his imprisonment in Peru and the mother of his daughter. Their relationship ended amid reports of another romance, while Van der Sloot continues serving his prison sentences.