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Top 15 Famous Dutch People
*Originally published by Christine M on November 2015 and Updated by Vanessa in October 2022
The Dutch are known as one of the happiest people on earth and said to be the bluntest or most direct people you will ever meet! Its famous people comprise talented football players, athletes, politicians, artists, and writers among others. A look at the top 15 famous Dutch people will perhaps reveal the Dutch character and inherent capabilities.
1. Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh- Wikimedia Commons
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous painters of the 20th century. He is world-renowned and a household name celebrated for paving the way for many other painters that came after him.
His paintings are still on display with some such as The Starry Night replicated for various uses. His use of color and vivid descriptions in his landscape paintings and portraits made his work memorable.
Van Gogh had his share of difficulties as an artist and as a human being. He supposedly struggled with manic depression that led to him taking his own life. His paintings are on display in museums throughout the world, ensuring that his name is part of conversations in art and even in living rooms.
2. Ruud Lubbers
Ruud Lubbers- by Rijksoverheid.nl- Wikimedia Commons
The Dutch economy experienced a great recession in the 1980s- Rudd Lubbers is the man credited with spearheading the rebuilding of the economy at this time in Dutch History. Part of this involved reforming social security, thus reducing the deficit. His impressive legacy also involved his humanitarian work that addressed various causes, as well as working with the United Nations and European Union.
Lubbers’s service as Dutch Prime Minister from 1982 to 1994 rendered him the longest-serving Prime Minister in Dutch history. Besides being a great economist which he demonstrated very well, Lubbers was a great team leader with superior problem-solving skills.
3. Rudd Gullit
Rudd Gullit- Wikimedia Commons
Rudd Gullit was once captain of the Netherlands national team at the UEFA Euro in 1988, where his team won the tournament. He made it on FIFA’s 2004 list of Top 125 Greatest Living Footballers and was named the World Soccer Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989. His career run had him play for other teams besides Netherlands such as Chelsea, Milan, and HFC Haarlem.
His trademark dreadlocked hair and mustache made him recognizable on and off the field. Gullit has since retired from playing the sport.
4. Robin van Persie
Robin Van Persie- Wikimedia Commons
Until 2019, Robin van Persie was a career football player attached for the longest time to Manchester United. He has also played for Arsenal, the Netherlands men’s national team, and Turkish club Fenerbahce. Van Persie has also assisted in the management of Feyenoord Rotterdam, a Dutch Professional football club.
Van Persie is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation. He is the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer for at least 50 goals for the team and has represented his country in FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships.
5. Marianne Vos
Marianne Vos- by Wielerpro.nl- Wikimedia Commons
One of the Netherlands’ most recognizable athletes is Marianne Vos, a cyclist that is considered one of the finest in her generation. She is a mountain-bike racer, track racer, and road- bicycle racer that has won many Olympic medals and world championships. She was introduced to cycling early on by watching races together with her brother, here’s where her career was birthed.
Marianne made a conscious decision to become a professional racer after it became evident to her and to others that she was talented. It is refreshing to have a woman professional cyclist in a country most famous for its talented football players.
6. Anne Frank
Anne Frank’s diary- Wikimedia Commons
Anne Frank’s diary is world-famous as it chronicles her and her family’s life in hiding during the Nazi Germany invasion of the Netherlands- Anne Frank and her family is one of the most famous victims of the holocaust. The Nazi rules, restrictions, and segregation towards the Jews meant that Anne Frank would not have a normal childhood.
Like many Jewish families, Anne Frank and hers had to go into hiding from the Nazis. It is here that she documented the things that took place at the ‘Secret Annex’; her inmost thoughts and feelings as well as some shorts stories and excerpts from books she read. Her book was published after her death and is available to date in various languages. It was also adapted for the stage and screen.
The Anne Frank House stands to date as a museum which raises awareness of the Anne Frank story and all it involves. It was put together in collaboration with Anne Frank’s father. It is the actual house that Anne Frank’s family went into hiding in.
7. Mata Hari
Mata Hari- Wikimedia Commons
Mata Hari’s life is a peculiar one that sparks mystery and interest. She was a professional dancer, mistress, also a spy for France during World War 1. The latter ‘occupation’ is what cost her life via execution when she was suspected of double agency.
Mata Hari did not shy off using her feminine wiles to forge ahead- for starters, she responded to a newspaper advertisement that sought a bride for a military captain based in the Dutch East Indies. The significant age gap notwithstanding, Mata Hari became his wife and later an exotic dance performer.
She retired from dancing when she neared 40 and settled into a second marriage- she was determined to become a good breadwinner when her captain husband got injured in war. She became a French Spy expected to get German secrets. It is here that she was set up to look like a double agent leading to her sentencing and execution.
Mata Hari’s story has been adapted to movies and TV shows.
8. Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen- Wikimedia Commons
Eddie Van Halen was a Dutch guitarist likened to a modern-day Mozart; a guitar god. He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and is also known for his iconic solo on Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit ‘Beat It’. Van Halen was a cofounder of his rock band Van Halen which was best known for their hit song ‘Jump’.
Van Halen added pizzazz to the unique style of playing dubbed the ‘two-handed tap’. He refined it and made it very popular. He played his guitar at a lighting fast speed inspiring many rock guitarists in the 80s.
9. Jan Wolkers
Jan Wolkers- by Harry Cock- Wikimedia Commons
Jan Wolkers is considered one of the “Great Four” writers of post-World War II Dutch literature. He was an author, sculptor, and painter. In his repertoire as a writer are short stories, novels, and plays. Wolkers declined several awards for his work such as the Costantinjn Huygensprijs and the P.C Hooftprijs in 1982 and 1989 respectively.
As a sculptor, Wolkers initially worked with large amounts of glass that were easily vandalized. He later incorporated steel into some of his works.
At least six films have been based on Wolkers’ work, some of which have earned nominations and awards.
10. Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands- by George Grantham Bain Collection- Wikimedia Commons
To cap the list of the top 10 famous Dutch people is a look back at history to Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. Her nearly 58-year reign rendered her the longest-serving monarch in Dutch history. She had to contend with the 1933 Dutch economic crisis and also rule through the First World war in which she was able to maintain the Netherlands’ neutrality and the Second World War as well.
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands ascended to the throne at age 10! She ruled via regent, her mother. She is acclaimed for her long rule, the Dutch economic recovery during her reign as well as ensuring that her family was one of the royal houses that remained in existence. She also made personal investments thus growing her own family wealth.
Wilhelmina abdicated the throne in favor of her daughter Juliana and settled at her palace in Het Loo where she died.
11. Queen Maxima
maxima by RVD, Jeroen van der Meyde from wikimedia commons
On May 17, 1971, the Argentinean city of Buenos Aires welcomed the birth of Queen Maxima. After completing her studies in economics, she moved to New York and began working for some of the major commercial institutions.
She met Crown Prince Willem-Alexander in Seville in April 1999 while there on business. A friendship between the two developed as a result, and on April 30, 2001, they announced their engagement.
Additionally, Maxima acquired Dutch citizenship in May 2001, making her a member of the royal family upon marriage. Maxima received the title of Princess after the couple’s marriage on February 2, 2002. The title of Queen was bestowed upon Princess Maxima when her husband Willem-Alexander was crowned King of the Netherlands in 2013.
12. Rutger Hauer
The First Dutch actor to succeed in establishing himself in Hollywood was Rutger Hauer. He made a name for himself in 1981 thanks to his part in the Sylvester Stallone-starrer Nighthawks.
Rutger Hauer was consequently able to land more important roles in movies like Blade Runner, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Batman Begins, and Sin City. Due to his performance in Escape from Sobibor, Rutger Hauer 1988 became the first Dutchman to ever receive a Golden Globe. He is now among the most well-known and prosperous actors in the Netherlands as a result of everything.
13. Jeroen Krabbé
Jeroen Krabbé by DWDD from Wikimedia Commons
Similar to Rutger Hauer, Jeroen Krabbé made his Hollywood breakthrough in the 1980s. With his part in the 1986 movie Jumpin’ Jack Flash, he accomplished this. A prosperous Hollywood career was only getting started.
His first leading part came in the 1987 James Bond movie The Living Daylights when he played the villain. The Fugitive, Prince of Tides, Ocean’s Twelve, and Transporter 3 were the next notable movies in which he played additional roles. In addition, Jeroen Krabbé appeared in a lot of Dutch movies and television shows.
Jeroen Krabbé is among the most well-known Dutch actors in history due to his parts in well-known Hollywood productions.
14. Famke Janssen
Famke Janssen by Gage Skidmore from Wikimedia Commons
One of the most well-known Dutch actresses of the modern era, if not the most, is Famke Janssen. She has had outstanding performances in blockbuster movies including the Taken series, The Wolverine, James Bond’s GoldenEye, and the X-Men series.
She is without a doubt one of the most well-known Dutch performers of all time because she has made a name for herself in Hollywood. Who knows what huge movie we’ll see her in next since she hasn’t quit performing yet!
15. Rembrandt van Rijn
Rembrandt van Rijn by National Gallery of Art from Wikimedia Commons
Naturally, Rembrandt van Rijn is a further painter who instantly springs to mind when considering the best Dutch art. His paintings are well-known all throughout the world, and he is regarded as one of history’s greatest painters.
The diversity in these top 15 Dutch people goes on to show the country’s rich resources of its people and perhaps solidify the said inherent capabilities.
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