Widow Uses AI to Imagine 1980s Life with Late Husband

Kimberly Van Der Beek has found a unique way to process her grief, using artificial intelligence to generate images depicting what she and her late husband might have looked like during a different era.

The 44-year-old widow shared five AI-generated photographs on Instagram Story on Tuesday, September 8, showing herself and James Van Der Beek styled as if they had lived during the 1980s. The digital creations featured the couple in period-appropriate fashion, including double denim outfits, loose-fitting white shirts, chunky belts, and cowboy hats.

"Felt like a solid use of AI today," Kimberly wrote over the image compilation, according to Us Weekly. She explained her process in text overlaying the collage: "Typing into ChatGPT what would I have looked like in the 80s."

The former Dawson's Creek star died in February at age 48 from complications related to colorectal cancer, leaving behind Kimberly and their six children: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 10, and Gwendolyn, 8, and sons Joshua, 14, and Jeremiah, 4.

The AI-generated images arrive approximately one month after Kimberly commemorated what would have been the couple's 16th wedding anniversary. On August 1, she posted an Instagram tribute reflecting on their marriage.

"16 years ago I was the luckiest woman in the world to marry @vanderjames," she wrote in the August post, according to Us Weekly. "The beauty of this marriage continues to unfold everyday with all these incredible children we have. He continues to be present and guide us. I'm eternally grateful."

Since James Van Der Beek's death, Kimberly has maintained an active presence on social media, frequently sharing memories and reflections about their relationship. On June 28, she posted throwback photographs of the couple with a message that read, "Baby, love does not die. Death does not part," according to Us Weekly.

That same day, she shared family photographs highlighting James Van Der Beek's hands-on approach to fatherhood, noting that he "was always building something with a child in tow."

Kimberly announced her husband's passing through a statement posted to social media on February 11. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace," she wrote at the time, according to Us Weekly. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend."

The announcement prompted an overwhelming response from supporters. A GoFundMe campaign established to assist Kimberly and the children raised more than $2.9 million, nearly doubling its original goal of $1.5 million.

Through her continued social media presence, Kimberly has demonstrated various approaches to honoring her late husband's memory while navigating life as a single parent to their six children. The AI-generated images represent her latest effort to explore what might have been while preserving the connection she shared with James Van Der Beek.