Maret Grothues Biography: Facebook, Husband, Age, Parents, Height, Net Worth, Volleyball Career
Maret Lieneke Balkestein-Grothues, professionally known as Maret Grothues, is a retired Dutch professional volleyball player and sports agent.
Renowned as a versatile outside hitter and long-time captain of the Netherlands national team, she earned 392 international caps, three European Championship silver medals, and a fourth-place finish at the 2016 Olympic Games.
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Over a 22-year career she competed for clubs across seven countries and later transitioned into sports-related professional roles following her retirement in 2026.
| Maret Grothues | |
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Maret Lieneke Balkestein-Grothues |
| Stage Name: | Maret Grothues |
| Born: | 16 September 1988 (age 38 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Almelo, Netherlands |
| Nationality: | Dutch |
| Height: | 1.80 m |
| Parents: | Mr. and Mrs. Grothues |
| Spouse: | Marcel Balkestein (ex) |
| Occupation: | Professional Volleyball Player, Sports Agent |
| Net Worth: | $750,000 |
Early Life and Education
Maret Grothues entered the world on 16 September 1988 in Almelo, Netherlands.
Of Dutch origin and raised in the Christian faith, she grew up under the care of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grothues.
Details regarding siblings have not been publicly disclosed.
She began playing volleyball at a young age with the local club Krekkers in nearby Mariaparochie, inspired by the Dutch men’s team’s Olympic success in 1996.
Specific information about her formal schooling and academic qualifications has not been widely shared.
Career
Maret Grothues started her competitive journey in the Dutch domestic leagues, progressing through clubs such as VV Pollux, Longa ’59 Lichtenvoorde, and TVC Amstelveen.
She made her senior international debut for the Netherlands in June 2008 at the Montreux Volley Masters.
Early highlights included Dutch league and cup titles, as well as the Best Server award at the 2010 FIVB World Championship.
Her reliability as an outside hitter and strong serving game quickly established her as a core member of the national team, where she would eventually become captain and accumulate 392 caps over fourteen years.
Her club career expanded internationally from 2011 onward, taking her to Italy (Parma, Giaveno, Casalmaggiore), Azerbaijan (Lokomotiv Baku), France (RC Cannes, where she won two consecutive league titles), Poland (Atom Trefl Sopot and Chemik Police), Turkey (Fenerbahçe and Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor), Romania (CSM București), and Greece (Panathinaikos).
With Panathinaikos she enjoyed particular success, securing three consecutive Greek league championships between 2022 and 2024 and earning league MVP honors.
On the international stage she helped the Netherlands claim silver medals at the European Championships in 2009, 2015, and 2017, bronze at the 2016 World Grand Prix, and a historic fourth place at the Rio 2016 Olympics despite an ankle injury during the tournament.
After announcing her retirement from the national team in 2022, Maret Grothues continued playing at club level until early 2026.
She briefly joined the Turkish club Sigorta Shop before mutually parting ways and formally ending her 22-year professional playing career in March 2026.
Throughout her career she was valued for her leadership, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure.
Following retirement she has been linked to roles within the sports industry, including work as a sports agent, allowing her to remain connected to volleyball while beginning a new professional chapter.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @maret1988
Personal Life
Maret Grothues was formerly married to Dutch field hockey player Marcel Balkestein; the couple wed on 5 July 2014.
The marriage later ended in divorce, and she is presently single.
She has not publicly disclosed any children and has generally preferred to keep details of her private life away from the spotlight while focusing on her athletic and professional endeavors.
Net Worth
Maret Grothues has built an estimated net worth of approximately $750,000 through more than two decades as a professional volleyball player.
Her primary sources of income included salaries from top European clubs in France, Turkey, Greece, and elsewhere, national-team stipends, individual performance awards, and related professional opportunities.
Following her retirement she has continued to generate earnings through sports-related activities, including work as a sports agent.
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