Prominent deaths in the Netherlands over the course of 2025
The Netherlands mourned the loss of prominent figures in 2025, including former VVD leader and Deputy Prime Minister Hans Wiegel, 83, and acclaimed choreographer Hans van Manen, 93. The following is a list of notable Dutch individuals who passed away this year.
January
January 3: Willem van Kooten, 83, Dutch radio personality, also known as Joost den Draaijer. Recognized as a pioneer of hit radio in the Netherlands, he began his career as a DJ and later became program director at Radio Veronica and Radio Noordzee. He received the Marconi Oeuvre Award in 2018.
January 4: Nicolaas Klei, 63, Dutch wine writer, known for his Supermarktwijngids and Omfietswijngids. He wrote columns for AD and Elsevier (now EW).
January 17: Manuëla Kemp, 61, Dutch singer and presenter, performed with the girl band The Revelettes, modeled, and worked as a DJ on pirate radio. She was the first presenter of RTL lifestyle program Eigen Huis & Tuin in 1993. Kemp suffered serious injuries in a scooter accident in Portugal in December 2024 and had been in a coma for several weeks.
February
February 2: Carel Weeber, 87, Dutch architect, noted for his large-scale, unconventional designs. He designed, among others, the now-demolished Zwarte Madonna housing complex in The Hague, the Peperklip housing project, and the Schie prison in Rotterdam.
February 10: Ron Brandsteder, 74, Dutch television presenter, known for shows such as Ron’s Honeymoonquiz, Laat ze maar lachen, and Wie ben ik?. He also had a music career, including a hit with Bonnie St. Claire called "Dokter Bernhard."
February 17: Frits Bolkestein, 91, Dutch politician. Entered the Tweede Kamer in 1978 for the VVD, served as State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Minister of Defense, and later as VVD party leader in 1990.
February 19: Frits Korthals Altes, 93, Dutch politician. VVD chairman from 1975 to 1981, Minister of Justice until 1989, and later Senate chairman. Named Minister of State after his political career.
February 22: Hans van den Broek, 88, Dutch politician. Served as State Secretary, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and European Commissioner for External Relations. Father of Princess Marilène, wife of Prince Maurits. Named Minister of State in 2005.
March
March 2: Dieuwertje Blok, 67, Dutch television presenter, longtime face of the Sinterklaasjournaal. Active in various social causes and named Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in December 2024.
March 16: Rob de Nijs, 82, Dutch singer, scored his first hit in 1963 with "Ritme van de Regen." Starred in the TV series Kunt u mij de weg naar Hamelen vertellen, mijnheer? and had hits including "Jan Klaassen," "Malle Babbe," and "Banger Hart."
March 23: Bram Biesterveld, 86, Dutch actor, best known as Pommetje Horlepiep. Appeared in theater, TV series like Oppassen!!!, and voice work in Monsters en co.
March 27: Loretta Schrijver, 68, Dutch television presenter, known for hosting RTL Nieuws and Koffietijd. Also appeared on The Masked Singer and produced programs for AVRO and Omroep MAX.
April
April 5: Harmen Siezen, 84, Dutch news anchor, presented more than 17,000 broadcasts for NOS Journaal. Began his career at Radio Veronica and TROS.
April 10: Leo Beenhakker, 82, Dutch football coach, celebrated for successes with Feyenoord, Ajax, and Real Madrid. Also coached the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Poland.
May
May 16: Jan Terlouw, 93, Dutch writer and politician. Awarded the Gouden Griffel for his children's books Oorlogswinter and Koning van Katoren. Served as D66 parliamentary leader, vice-premier, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Queen's Commissioner of Gelderland.
May 16: Gerard Soeteman, 88, Dutch screenwriter, prominent in Dutch cinema through collaborations with Paul Verhoeven, creating classics such as Turks Fruit, Soldaat van Oranje, Spetters, and Zwartboek.
May 19: Hans Wiegel, 83, Dutch politician, VVD party leader 1971–1982, minister, Tweede Kamer and Eerste Kamer member, and Queen's Commissioner in Friesland.
May 24: Cor Boonstra, 87, Dutch businessman, former CEO of Philips (1996–2001). Known for restructuring the company and shedding unprofitable units.
June
June 3: Peter de Bie, 75, Dutch journalist and radio presenter. Hosted Tros Nieuwsshow and Nieuwsweekend. Chose euthanasia due to immobility and loss of independence.
June 3: Krisztina de Châtel, 81, Dutch-Hungarian choreographer, influential in modern dance. Founded her own dance company in 1976 and performed internationally.
June 14: Henk van Os, 87, Dutch art historian, director of the Rijksmuseum (1989–1997). Known for TV programs Museumschatten and Beeldenstorm.
July
July 1: Rinus Israël, 83, Dutch footballer and coach, three-time national champion with Feyenoord, 47 caps for the national team. Coached Feyenoord, FC Den Bosch, and ADO Den Haag.
July 4: Rob Houwer, 87, Dutch film producer, known for collaborations with Paul Verhoeven including Wat zien ik?!, Soldaat van Oranje, Keetje Tippel, and Turks Fruit.
July 12: Rudolf van den Berg, 76, Dutch film director, known for adaptations such as De Avonden and Tirza, as well as Süskind and TV series.
July 23: George Kooymans, 77, Dutch musician, guitarist of Golden Earring. Co-founder and key figure in the band's international success, including "Radar Love."
July 24: Chiel Montagne, 80, Dutch presenter, hosted artists on Op volle toeren for twenty years.
August
August 13: Kars Veling, 77, Dutch politician, first leader and parliamentary chair of the ChristenUnie, later educator and director of ProDemos.
August 28: Lucia de Berk, 63, Dutch pediatric nurse, wrongfully convicted for patient murders. Acquitted in 2010 after six years of legal battles.
August 30: Harrie Geelen, 86, Dutch writer and illustrator, longtime collaborator with Imme Dros. Winner of the Woutertje Pieterse Prijs and Gouden Penseel.
September
September 13: Gerard Cox, 85, Dutch singer, actor, and cabaret performer, known for satirical work and his hit "'t Is weer voorbij die mooie zomer."
September 16: Joke Bruijs, 73, Dutch singer and actress, appeared in theater and TV, including Toen Was Geluk Heel Gewoon and The Masked Singer. Died three days after Gerard Cox, body donated to science.
October
October 7: Joost Nuissl, 79, Dutch performer and theater director, known for the hit song "Ik ben blij dat ik je niet vergeten ben."
November
November 6: Viola Holt, 76, Dutch presenter, known for AVRO programs and reality shows including Hotel Big Brother.
November 27: Stijn Franken, 58, Dutch criminal lawyer, instrumental in reopening Lucia de Berk’s case, represented Volkert van der G. and Willem Holleeder.
December
December 7: Frans Weisz, 87, Dutch director, known for films including De Inbreker, Rooie Sien, and Charlotte. Survived WWII by going into hiding.
December 8: Hans Otjes, 78, Dutch actor and comedian, known as 'de kapitein' in Bassie & Adriaan and roles in revues of André van Duin.
December 11: John Fentener van Vlissingen, 86, Dutch businessman, founder of BCD Travel and investment firm BORON.
December 13: Tonny Eyk, 85, Dutch musician and composer, created theme music for Studio Sport and TopPop, collaborated with Van Kooten & De Bie.
December 17: Hans van Manen, 93, Dutch choreographer, regarded as a master of contemporary ballet, created over 150 works, recipient of the Erasmus Prize and other international honors.
