| Name | Place of Birth | What They’re Famous For |
|---|---|---|
| Vincent van Gogh | Zundert, Netherlands | Painter, post-impressionist master (Starry Night, Sunflowers) |
| Eddie Van Halen | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Rock guitarist, co-founder of the band Van Halen |
| Rutger Hauer | Breukelen, Netherlands | Actor, best known for Blade Runner |
| Anne Frank | Frankfurt, Germany (lived in Amsterdam) | Diarist, author of The Diary of a Young Girl |
| Johan de Witt | Dordrecht, Netherlands | 17th-century politician, Grand Pensionary during Dutch Golden Age |
| Abraham Kuyper | Maassluis, Netherlands | Prime Minister (1901–1905), theologian, journalist |
| Ruud Lubbers | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Longest-serving Dutch Prime Minister (1982–1994) |
| Johan Cruyff | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Football legend, pioneer of total football |
| Ruud Gullit | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Footballer, captain of Euro 1988–winning team |
| Marianne Vos | ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands | Cyclist, Olympic and world champion |
Famous Dutch actors, writers, philosophers, activists, politicians, socialites, and sports personalities shape the way people think. These historical figures became famous Dutch people by using their platform to fight for causes they believed in, writing inspiring words, or encouraging people to make a change to better benefit their society.
Throughout history, the Dutch have fought for important causes and become pioneers in social and economic changes that have been imitated by European and other countries worldwide. They have aspired to inspire, and their life's work still remains relevant. Read about the most famous Dutch people who have fought against society's rigid rules and become heroes.
Sit back, sip your coffee, and learn everything about the most famous people from the Netherlands through history!
Vincent Van Gogh - A Life Devoted to Art
Probably one of the world's most celebrated 20th-century Dutch painters, Van Gogh's post-impressionist style influenced modern Dutch art and other painters' work to this day. In his paintings, he used striking colours and vivid descriptions in his landscape and portrait paintings.
Born in Zundert, Netherlands, on March 30, 1853, Van Gogh painted some of the most famous paintings ever known to man, such as The Starry Night, Café Terrace at Night, At Eternity's Gate, Sunflowers, Irises, and the Portrait of Dr. Gauchet.
Even though he has painted masterpieces that are now celebrated, Vincent Van Gogh was extremely unsuccessful during his short 37-year lifespan. Known by many as a "mad" artist or painter who fought aggressively with friends such as Gaugin, and who cut off his own ear.
Van Gogh spent his last days in France and experienced his artistic breakthrough before tragically taking his own life.
His paintings can be viewed by any art lover as they are displayed in many museums worldwide. Without any doubt, Van Gogh is one of the most famous people from the Netherlands.
At the end of 1888, Van Gogh suffered his first psychotic break, during which he cut his earlobe and almost bled to death after an argument with Paul Gauguin. In early 1889, he was hospitalized again after suffering hallucinations.
Eddie Van Halen - A Guitar Hero
Born in Amsterdam, Eddie Van Halen is one of the most well-known musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries. He has been ranked by Rolling Stone as the eighth greatest guitarist of all time and by Guitar World as the number one greatest of all time.
Van Halen moved to the United States when he was only six years old and always had a keen interest in music. In 1972, Van Halen formed a band named Genesis, which was shortly changed to Mammoth. This band was not highly successful. After a short period, Eddie Van Halen became annoyed with singing vocals and hired David Lee Roth.
The band reached mainstream success in 1977 when it was discovered by record producer Ted Templeman. They released their first album in 1978 and have been celebrated as one of the greatest rock bands.
Eddie Van Halen has influenced many guitarists' style and is one of the most famous Dutch people.
Anne Frank - Resilience in Hiding
While Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt and not in the Netherlands, she spent the grand majority of her life living in and around Amsterdam. Her family moved to the Netherlands, and Anne became an immigrant at a young age after the Nazis gained control over Germany.
While she was in Amsterdam hiding for two years from the Nazis because she was Jewish, she wrote a diary from the ages of 13 to 15, stating her wishes, experiences, and fears. Her writings, known as The Diary of a Young Girl, were originally written in the Dutch language but have been published in many other languages. It is known as one of the world's most widely recognized books.
Anne Frank has been viewed as a beacon of freedom and strength. The Anne Frank House, also known as the Secret Annex where the Franks hid for two years, located in Amsterdam along a canal, is one of the Netherlands' most visited museums, with over 1.2 million visitors recorded in 2013 and 2014.
Otto Frank is best known as Anne Frank's father, the only surviving member of the family, and a key piece in the publication of the diary. After Anne died in 1945, Otto Frank managed to recover his daughter's diary and other personal belongings. To honor her memory, the book was published in 1947. Translated into more than 70 languages, The Diary of Anne Frank has sold more than 35 million copies.
Rutger Hauer - International Film Star
Rutger Hauer was born in Breukelen in 1944. He was a famous Dutch actor who transitioned from being known on Dutch television thanks to the medieval action drama series Floris, to becoming one of the most recognized figures from the Netherlands worldwide.
He made his American debut in Nighthawks, starring Sylvester Stallone. Later on, he also appeared in films such as The Hitcher and Ladyhawke, as well as in supporting roles in major films like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Batman Begins, Sin City, and The Rite. However, Hauer is primarily known for his role as Roy Batty in Blade Runner.
This beloved Dutch actor will be remembered among the great movie stars of the Netherlands, thanks to his versatility in playing villains and heroes.
Johan de Witt - Dutch Politics and Trade
Born on September 24, 1625, in Dordrecht, Johan de Witt was an important politician in the 17th century and is commonly known in Dutch culture. He was the Grand Pensionary, the most important official during the time of the United Provinces, from 1653 to 1672.
Throughout his political career, he wanted to intensify the economy by encouraging trading and shipping in the United Provinces, mainly concentrating his attention on the province of Holland rather than the province of Zeeland. The flourishing sea trade that happened under de Witt's control of the Netherlands made the United Provinces a leading European power during the Dutch Golden Age.
He was extremely liberal and accepting of people from diverse backgrounds and various religions. His negligence of the Dutch army led to criticism and blame for the numerous defeats in the Rampjaar. The country was in havoc, and this led to three countries invading without any issues. As a result of this hysteria, Johan de Witt and his brother Cornelius de Witt were publicly hanged in the Hague in 1672.
Many historians firmly believe that William of Orange encouraged rioters to execute the de Witt brothers.
Johan de Witt is still viewed today as a powerful symbol of regulated government power, internationalism, and tolerance for diversity. These are all values held incredibly high by the Dutch people.
Undoubtedly, Johan de Witt has become one of the most important figures in Dutch political history. However, he is also known for having suffered one of the strangest murders in history, together with his brother Cornelis De Witt, and one of the few recorded cases of cannibalism in the 17th century.
Abraham Kuyper - Education and Equal Rights
Kuyper was Prime Minister from 1901 to 1905. He was not only a politician but also a journalist and neo-Calvinist theologian. He founded his own political party, known as the Anti-Revolutionary Party, and led it from 1879 until he died in 1920.
Well-known for his promotion of pillarisation, the segregation of societies or social groups divided into different pillars, and anti-thesis in public life, which would allow Protestants, Catholics, and other groups to have their own schools, universities, and organizations.
During his time as Prime Minister, he worked hard to improve working conditions for employees in all sectors. The law was passed to help those in the fishing and harbour construction industries. He often defended the middle-class groups known as "The little people."
His political ideals have dominated Dutch politics to this day, creating an alliance and understanding between Catholic and Protestant groups. His political ideas viewed everyone as equal; the poor are not better than the rich, and the rich are not superior to those living in poverty.
When the principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then the battle is your calling, and peace has become sin.
Abraham Kuyper
Ruud Lubbers - Politics, Diplomacy & Business
Lubbers was known as a great team leader and notable economist. During his time as Prime Minister, he helped rebuild the Dutch economy after the recession in the 1980s. He reformed Social Security and reduced the deficit. He also worked as a humanitarian addressing many important social causes.
He was known for his great problem-solving skills and extensive knowledge of political matters. Lubbers believed that the vast size of Holland's government was negatively impacting the economy. He was famously quoted as saying, "More market, less government."
He encouraged industries to create more jobs for citizens. Lubbers also worked with the United Nations and the European Union as part of a long political career, becoming one of the most famous Dutch people in the country.
Ruud Lubbers was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Dutch history. He was in office from 1982 to 1994 and has left an impressive legacy behind.
Johan Cruyff - Dutch Football Legend
Widely regarded as one of the best football players ever to play, Johan Cruyff led Holland to the finals at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. During that tournament, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player, becoming one of the most well-known Dutch celebrities.
After retiring from playing football, he became a manager for the teams of Ajax and Barcelona. His influence left a lasting mark on both football clubs.
In 1999, Cruyff was voted the European Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
La Masia is the name of FC Barcelona's training facilities and was the brainchild of Cruyff. He is also widely known as one of the pioneers of "total football," which left the public speechless in the early 70's.
Ruud Gullit - One of the Greatest Living Footballers
An attacking midfielder born in 1962, Ruud Gullit was featured on FIFA's 2004 list of Top 125 Greatest Living Footballers. Gullit was the captain of the Netherlands national team at the 1988 UEFA European Championship, when they won the tournament.
Known for his long dreads and mustache, he played for important teams such as Chelsea, Milan and HFC Haarlem.
He has retired from playing and is now the assistant manager of the Netherlands' national football team. A position he has been occupying since 2017.
Gullit won the Ballon d'Or in 1987 and was named World Soccer Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989.
Marianne Vos - Olympic Cycling Champion
While the Netherlands is primarily known for producing talented football players, it also boasts other extremely accomplished athletes in various sports. For example, Mariann Vos is a Dutch cyclist who has been widely regarded as one of the finest cyclists of her generation.
She is a road bicycle racer, mountain-bike racer, and track racer. She has won many world championships and Olympic medals. Most notably, the gold medals in the points race at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and the road race at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
She is one of the Netherlands' most recognizable Dutch celebrities.
Many relevant historical events in Dutch history have brought the Netherlands to prominence and fame on the world stage. Whether they were or are politicians, artists, or athletes, they have all done their part to make a difference for their country or experience their 15 minutes of fame!
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