Tiësto: How the Dutch DJ got his name
He's known for his hits 'Adagio for Strings' and 'The Motto'
Tiësto just keeps the hits coming! The 55-year-old Dutch DJ, who is best known for his hits 'Adagio for Strings', 'Jackie Chan' and 'The Motto' with Ava Max, has been in the music industry for more than 30 years.
Although he's been releasing music since the mid-90s, Tiësto's music was mainly popular on the dance music scene and it wasn't until 2014 when he saw commercial success with 'Red Lights', followed by 'Wasted' featuring Matthew Koma, which were both Top 10 hits in the UK.
In April 2022, Tiësto announced his wife is expecting the couple's second baby, and in August of the same year, he revealed they had welcomed a little boy earlier than expected.
Here we take a look at some of Tiësto's biggest hits and who the DJ is...
What is Tiësto's real name?
Tiësto's real name is Tijs Michiel Verwest. Speaking to Spout Podcast in 2021 he explained where his stage name came from.
"So it’s really like something I made up," the DJ said: "That was like a trend in the nineties, that all the Dutch DJs, they wanted to sound Italian. So we all put like an 'O' behind our name. Barcelo. Gizmo. Tiësto. So, you know, it was it was just a thing. And then it stuck."
What is Tiësto's most famous song?
Tiësto has been in the music business since the mid-nineties releasing many songs, however the one song of his that most people will recognise is almost certainly 'Adagio for Strings'.
The song, released in 2005, now has more than 113 million views on an unofficial account, while the DJ's official video racking up 36 million views on YouTube.
Who has Tiësto collaborated with?
Tiësto has collaborated with a number of different artists over the years, including the likes of Jonas Blue and Rita Ora on 'Ritual', Mabel, Becky Hill and most recently Ava Max on 'The Motto'.
Tiësto and Dzeko featuring Preme and Post Malone - 'Jackie Chan'
Originally released by Canadian rapper Preme, Tiësto did a version of 'Jackie Chan' which reached Number 5 in the UK.
Tiësto, Jonas Blue and Rita Ora - 'Ritual'
Written and produced by Tiësto and Jonas Blue under their real names, 'Ritual' featured Rita Ora and was featured on Tiësto's sixth studio album The London Sessions.
Tiësto, Mabel - 'God Is A Dancer'
'God Is a Dancer' was a Top 20 hit for Tiësto and Mabel in 2019. The song was produced by Tiësto and Wilkinson (who released 'Afterglow' with Becky Hill's uncredited vocals).
Watch the music video here!
Tiësto, Becky Hill - 'Nothing Really Matters'
Queen of Collabs Becky Hill worked with Tiësto in 2020 on this club banger.
Watch the music video here!
Tiësto, Ty Dolla $ign - 'The Business, Pt. II'
In 2020 Tiësto teamed up with Ty Dolla $ign on 'The Business, Pt. II'. This was a remix of the DJ's song 'The Business' released a few months before.
Watch the lyric video here!
Tiësto, Ava Max - 'The Motto'
Written by the Dutch DJ along with a team of songwriters, 'The Motto' featured American singer Ava Max and was released in 2021.
Watch the music video here!
Tiësto sparked rumours there could be a David Guetta/Calvin Harris collab on the horizon, after he commented on an Instagram post, with many fans suggested he joined David and Calvin for the collab. At the time of writing, of the DJs have confirmed there is a collab in the works.
What is Tiësto's net worth?
Tiësto's net worth is thought to be between $150 million and $170 million.
Who is Tiësto married to?
Tiësto married Annika Backes in September 2019 after proposing to her the year before. The couple tied the knot at Amangiri in Utah at a beautiful ceremony outside in front of a large mirrored arch.
Does Tiësto have any children?
Yes! Tiësto and his wife Annika Backes welcomed a little girl in November 2020 and a little boy in August 2022.
Announcing the arrival of their little girl, Viola Margreet Verwest, Tiësto took to his social channels to reveal the lovely news saying: 'Say hi to my daughter Viola Margreet Verwest 🥰 She gives me feelings I never knew I had in me.❤️❤️ And her mom is a real champion. How can you look so pretty after just giving birth?!😍😍'.
Annika regularly shares photos of the couple's little girl on her Instagram page.
Just after the Grammy Awards 2022 took place, Tiësto announced on social media that his wife was expecting again. The boomerang showed the DJ kissing his wife's belly saying: 'I am having another baby with the love of my life ❤️'.
Then, in August 2022, Tiësto announced the arrival of a little boy called Viggo Tiësto Verwest. The little boy arrived earlier than expected which resulted in the DJ having to cancel some of his gigs including his set at Creamfields North. He apologised to fans in a statement and said he hoped they understood the situation.
How old is Tiësto?
Tiësto was born on 17th January 1969 making him 55-years-old at the time of writing.
You can hear songs by Tiësto on Forth 1.
Read more:
David Guetta's most successful songs
Everything you need to know about Sigala
Songs you never knew were actually by Jax Jones