What happened to Dries van Agt?

The former Dutch prime minister, Dries Van Agt, and his wife, Eugenie, peacefully passed away together in what is being termed as a double euthanasia.

Van Agt, who served as the head of state from 1977 to 1982, was laid to rest beside his wife Eugenie, aged 93, after they made the unprecedented decision to end their lives together. Both were facing serious illnesses, with van Agt, also 93, having endured a life-altering brain hemorrhage in 2019. The ultra-rare occurrence of “duo euthanasia” was announced by the Rights Forum, a charitable organization founded by van Agt.

A spokesperson for the non-profit stated, “He died hand in hand with his beloved wife Eugenie van Agt-Krekelberg. She was the support and anchor with whom he shared more than 70 years. He always referred to her as ‘my girl’.” The couple first met as art students and were married for an incredible 65 years.

Van Agt, who led the center-right Christian Democrats, was renowned in the Netherlands for his sense of humor. He also garnered support after cycling alongside Tour de France cyclists. In 2010, he stepped down from the Christian-Democrats following their collaboration with far-right politician Geert Wilders in an election pact.