Robert Westergaard is a talented South African deckhand who found fame on Below Deck Mediterranean season 5.
Known for his adventurous spirit and resilience, Robert has traveled the globe as a professional model before switching careers to work in yachting.
Audiences were drawn to his honesty, reliability, and openness when dealing with workplace challenges. Move below to read more about Robert Westergaard.
Who is Robert Westergaard?
Robert Westergaard is a deckhand who joined the reality TV show Below Deck Mediterranean and quickly made an impact.
He stands out for his unique journey, strong work ethic, and real personality.
Robert spent nearly a decade working in fashion, modeling for top brands and even sharing moments with stars like Taylor Swift during photo shoots.
What makes Robert popular is his openness about his personal hardships, his respect for workplace structure, and his ability to connect with people.
Fans admire how he always tries to solve problems through communication and teamwork. Robert’s switch from modeling to yachting, inspired by personal loss, makes his story unique.
His time on Below Deck Mediterranean caught attention not just for his work, but also for his romantic storyline and close relationships with crewmates.
Now recognized for honesty and dependability, Robert keeps a low public profile, sharing glimpses of his life with his wife and son.
His journey across modeling and yachting shows courage, adaptability, and a love for adventure.
Early Life of Robert Westergaard
Robert Westergaard was born on March 28, 1990, in South Africa. He comes from a diverse background that includes Xhosa heritage, which is notable in his ability to speak the language.
Growing up, Robert’s family life was marked by hardship. He lost his father at a young age, which made childhood very challenging and left him without a strong guiding figure.
After his father passed, Robert was separated from his mother for some time, adding to his struggles and making it harder to stay out of trouble.
Despite these difficulties, Robert stepped up to support his sister.
Together, they faced family financial problems, and he took on responsibilities beyond his years, working to pay off his mother’s debt and provide for his sibling.
The bond between Robert and his sister is strong and shaped by early adversity, remaining close and supportive even as they became independent adults.
His mother later passed away, an event that deeply affected Robert and pushed him to look for healing and direction in life.
Robert’s early life taught him the values of resilience, hard work, and loyalty to family.
These experiences helped shape his character and laid the foundation for the person viewers would later come to know on Below Deck Mediterranean.
Robert Westergaard Nationality
Robert Westergaard is South African. He identifies strongly with his roots and often references his country and native language, Xhosa, in interviews and social settings.
Robert Westergaard Age
Robert Westergaard is currently 35 years old as of 2025 because he came into the world on March 28, 1990.
Age and experience have helped Robert grow, allowing him to bring maturity and wisdom both to yachting and modeling.
Robert Westergaard Education
Robert Westergaard’s education details are not widely available, but it’s known he had to join the workforce early due to family financial strains.
He trained professionally as a model and later adapted to the technical skills required for yachting.
His time traveling the world for modeling helped Robert develop cultural awareness, discipline, and confidence.
In yachting, he worked on skill sets including mechanical knowledge and team management.
Robert has emphasized learning through experience-gaining practical knowledge both in fashion and sailing.
He also picked up languages and learned from the diverse crews and mentors he met.
Any formal academic details appear private; his educational journey is marked more by real-world achievements than classroom study.
Modeling Career
Robert Westergaard began his professional journey as a model to help support his family and pay off his mother’s debts.
For nine years, he traveled globally, working with prestigious fashion houses.
He participated in high-profile shoots, including a magazine cover with Taylor Swift and photographer Peter Lindbergh.
Modeling gave Robert discipline, exposure to many cultures, and a strong sense of responsibility.
It also pushed him into the spotlight, giving him valuable experience in front of the camera.
Transition to Yachting
After his mother’s passing, Robert sought healing and new purpose at sea. Yachting offered the adventure, mechanics, and travel he craved.
He started learning the ropes with few charters and built practical knowledge about yacht mechanics and teamwork.
Robert attributed most workplace problems to poor communication, so he made a point to foster open dialogue with his deck crew.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Robert joined Below Deck Mediterranean season 5 as a deckhand onboard The Wellington megayacht in Spain.
He worked with crew members like Alex Radcliffe, Pete Hunziker, and Bosun Malia White. The season highlighted Robert’s dependability and respect for the chain of command.
His openness and willingness to learn earned praise from viewers. During his time, Robert developed a romantic relationship with Third Stew Jessica More, drawing attention from audiences.
Work After Reality TV
Following his time on reality TV, Robert continued working in the yachting world, shifting to the engineering department of a large vessel called Jamaica Bay.
He began expanding his maritime skills, focusing on yacht systems and maintenance.
Robert took pride in learning new technical abilities, posting occasionally about his professional developments on social media.
His career in the engineering department kept him busy and challenged his problem-solving skills.
Challenges Faced
Throughout his journey, Robert faced adversity, including early family loss and having to support those close to him due to financial strain.
His career changes from modeling to yachting required learning new skills and adapting quickly.
Robert overcame personal setbacks by focusing on education, teamwork, and building genuine relationships.
His willingness to face complex challenges head-on continued to earn respect.
What is Robert Westergaard Doing Now from Below Deck?
Currently, Robert Westergaard is living in South Carolina with his wife Dani and their son Jesse James.
After his time on Below Deck Mediterranean, he shifted his focus from yachting to family life.
He has been working in the engineering department of large yachts, learning new skills, but now appears to be more dedicated to his family and personal pursuits instead of working actively on yachts.
is Robert Westergaard from Below Deck Sober?
Robert Westergaard has not publicly addressed sobriety.
While he demonstrated responsibility and professionalism at work, no confirmed reports suggest a sober lifestyle or issues with alcohol.
The absence of information likely means Robert enjoys a balanced life and keeps private matters within his circle.
Robert Westergaard and Taylor Swift
Robert Westergaard once had a memorable experience working with Taylor Swift as a professional model.
In 2013, Robert participated in a Vanity Fair cover shoot photographed by the legendary Peter Lindbergh, where Taylor Swift was also a subject.
Robert was initially surprised when his agent told him about the opportunity to shoot with Taylor Swift, but he went into the shoot focused on working with such a famous photographer.
During the shoot, Robert and Taylor Swift shared playful moments, including Robert teaching her some phrases in Xhosa, an official language of South Africa and part of his heritage.
This interaction added a personal and fun touch to the session.
Although there was some charming back and forth between them during the shoot, Robert confirmed that nothing romantic continued after the project wrapped up.
Robert has described Taylor Swift as a natural in front of the camera, noting her comfort and experience since she grew up in the modeling and entertainment world.
Their brief but memorable encounter remains a unique highlight in Robert’s modeling career, showcasing his connection with a global superstar in a professional setting.
Robert Westergaard Wife and Children
Robert Westergaard is currently married to Dani Westergaard.
The couple began dating in August 2021, and their relationship grew stronger as they spent time together, often sharing moments from yacht trips and travels.
Dani has also worked in the yachting industry, which helped their connection and understanding of each other’s lives.
Their bond is described as loving and supportive, with both often celebrating each other’s achievements and milestones on social media.
Robert and Dani got married around December 2023, as confirmed by a wedding photo Robert shared from Florida, where he called Dani his wife.
This marked a new chapter in both their lives, with marriage bringing them even closer as a family.
The couple currently lives together in South Carolina, where they have settled into a quieter and more private lifestyle since starting their family.
In April 2025, Robert and Dani welcomed their first child, a son named Jesse James Westergaard.
Dani shared her excitement and gratitude on Instagram, expressing joy about becoming a mother and her happiness to see Robert as a caring and involved father.
Robert has also posted about his son on his Instagram stories, showing pride and love for his growing family.
Their life in South Carolina now centers on raising Jesse and enjoying time together as a family, away from the public eye and reality TV spotlight.
Robert’s previous romantic involvement with Jessica More on Below Deck Mediterranean ended after the show.
His relationship with Dani marked a fresh start and has since been filled with family milestones and happiness.
The couple values privacy but occasionally shares glimpses of their family life online, focusing on their son and shared experiences.
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Robert Westergaard Previous Relationship
Robert Westergaard’s previous relationship was with Jessica More during his time on Below Deck Mediterranean season 5.
They started a romantic connection on the show and had a solid relationship initially, but things later became complicated.
Their relationship faced challenges, especially after the show ended, when Jessica noticed red flags like Rob texting his ex-girlfriend.
After their breakup, Robert was linked to other women like Madison Stalker from Below Deck Sailing Yacht and Hannah Berner from Summer House, though he denied dating them.
He also mentioned in an interview that he had been talking to Hannah Berner, but nothing serious developed.
Since then, Robert has kept his romantic life private until he met Dani in 2021.
Their relationship blossomed into marriage, and they now focus on their family life together with their son Jesse James.
Are Robert Westergaard and Jess Still Together?
Robert Westergaard and Jessica More are no longer together. Their relationship began during Below Deck Mediterranean but ended soon after filming.
They traveled together once but parted ways afterward. Robert is now married to Dani Westergaard, with whom he shares a son.
Robert Westergaard Net Worth
Robert Westergaard has an estimated net worth of $500,000 USD as of 2025.
His income streams include earnings from modeling, yachting salaries, and engineering department work.
Modeling for elite brands provided substantial fees, especially from international assignments and campaigns.
Yachting brought steady income, with higher wages in the engineering department on luxury vessels.
Robert and Dani share investments including real estate ventures in South Carolina and possible holdings from modeling days.
Financial stability improved after his modeling and yachting careers. Robert’s low-key lifestyle and privacy about spending keep actual asset details limited.
Robert Westergaard Height and Weight
Robert Westergaard stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch which is equal to 185 centimeters or 1.85 meters tall. His weight is around 180 pounds which is equal to 82 kilogram.
He has a fit, athletic build with light brown hair and expressive blue eyes. Robert’s modeling background ensures a striking physical presence.
His appearance is often noted as handsome and photogenic, with strong facial features and a healthy complexion.
Social Media Presence
Robert Westergaard is active on social media especially on Instagram, where he shares posts mostly featuring family moments and travels.
Most updates are related to his wife, Dani, and son, Jesse. Robert rarely shares professional details, choosing privacy over publicity.
Dani posts more frequently, including milestones and celebrations from their life together. Robert uses Instagram Stories and highlight reels to connect with followers when he chooses.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Robert Westergaard teaches lessons in resilience, adaptability, and humility.
Moving from early struggles to global modeling, then yachting and family, his story inspires with its honesty and drive.
Robert shows how new chapters happen after learning from challenges and embracing change.
Readers can find encouragement in taking bold steps, caring for loved ones, and staying open to growth. Put your thoughts below in the comment section.
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