Famous Dutch People

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 1 
Vincent van Gogh
(One of the Most Famous and Influential Artists of All Time)
Vincent van Gogh
102
Birthdate: March 30, 1853
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Zundert
Died: July 29, 1890

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter and is said to be one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. However, he was not commercially successful in his lifetime and died by suicide at 37 after years of mental health issues and poverty. He gained recognition and respect in the 20th century.

 2 
Max Verstappen
(Belgian-Dutch Motorsports Racing Driver)
Max Verstappen
72
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 30, 1997
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hasselt

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One. He made his first entry at 2015 Australian Grand Prix. Son of former Formula One racing-driver Jos Verstappen, Max has emerged as the most successful Dutch driver who has scored most career points, won a Formula One World Championship in 2021 and achieved a pole position.  

 3 
Eddie Van Halen
(Guitarist and Keyboardist of the Rock Band Van Halen)
Eddie Van Halen
65
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 26, 1955
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Died: October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen was an American songwriter and guitarist. The co-founder of the popular rock band Van Halen, Eddie is widely considered one of the greatest guitar players in the history of rock music. He is credited with popularizing the tapping technique, which is now used extensively by guitarists all over the world.

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 4 
Johan Cruyff
(One of the Greatest Football Players & One of the Best Managers Ever)
Johan Cruyff
33
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 25, 1947
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Died: March 24, 2016
Dutch midfielder/forward Johan Cruyff pioneered the idea of Total Football, along with coach Rinus Michels. The first three-time Ballon d'Or-winner was known for his signature move, the Cruyff Turn. He made it to FIFA 100 and ranked second only to Pele in an official World Player of the Century poll.
 5 
Arjen Robben
(Dutch Former Professional Football Player Who Played as a Winger)
Arjen Robben
37
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 23, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bedum

Widely considered one of the best Dutch soccer players of all time, Arjen Robben is known for his long-range shots, ball control, speed, and dribbling skills. He helped his national team reach the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which they lost to Spain.

 6 
Rembrandt
(One of the Greatest Visual Artists in the History of Art)
Rembrandt
16
Birthdate: July 15, 1606
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Leiden
Died: October 4, 1669

Rembrandt was a Dutch printmaker, painter, and draughtsman. A master in three major art media, Rembrandt is widely considered the most important visual artist in Dutch art history and one of the greatest of all time. He is also considered the greatest etcher in the history of printmaking. His life and work inspired several films, including the 1936 movie Rembrandt.

 7 
Baruch Spinoza
(One of the Most Important Philosophers of the Early Modern Period)
Baruch Spinoza
25
Birthdate: November 24, 1632
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Died: February 21, 1677
Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza is best remembered for his rationalist ideas and his posthumously released book Ethics. He opposed Rene Descartes’s ideas and believed that God was an abstract entity. He was later expelled from the Jewish society, while his books were banned by the Catholic Church.
 8 
Johannes Vermeer
(One of the Greatest Painters of the Dutch Golden Age)
Johannes Vermeer
15
Birthdate: October 31, 1632
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Delft
Died: December 15, 1675

Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter renowned for his use of light in paintings. Although he did not achieve fame during his lifetime, Vermeer's works gained popularity in the 19th century. Today, Vermeer is often counted among the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age. Over the years, Vermeer's work has inspired artists like Wilhelm Hammershoi and Thomas Wilmer Dewing.

 9 
Anne Frank
(Diarist)
Anne Frank
97
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 12, 1929
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Frankfurt
Died: March 12, 1945

One of the numerous Jewish victims of the Holocaust, Anne Frank gained recognition posthumously after her diary Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl was published. The diary, which has been widely read and translated into numerous other languages, details the lives of Anne Frank and her family when they went into hiding for two years, after Germany occupied Netherlands.

 10 
Ruud Gullit
(One of the Greatest Football Players of All Time)
Ruud Gullit
26
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 1, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Amsterdam

Ruud Gullit is a Dutch former football player. Considered one of the greatest players in the history of football, Gullit was known for his versatility as he could play as an attacking midfielder, forward, or midfielder. During the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship, he led his national team to its first title.

 11 
Dennis Bergkamp
(Dutch Retired Football Forward)
Dennis Bergkamp
13
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Amsterdam

Dutch football coach and retired player Dennis Bergkamp had a successful playing career with clubs such as Ajax, Arsenal, and Inter Milan. Initially a midfielder, he later played as a striker. The 2-time FIFA World Player of the Year bronze winner also gained the nickname the Non-Flying Dutchman for his fear of flying.

 12 
Hieronymus Bosch
13
Birthdate: 1450 AD
Birthplace: Burgundian Netherlands
Died: August 9, 1516
Hieronymus Bosch was a Dutch painter and a significant figure of the Early Netherlandish painting school. Most of his works are made of oil on oak wood and consist of religious themes and dark depictions of Hell. One of his notable works is The Garden of Earthly Delights.
 13 
Ronald Koeman
(Dutch Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Defender and as a Midfielder)
Ronald Koeman
20
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 21, 1963
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Zaandam

Dutch formerfootball  player Ronald Koeman was one of the stars of the Netherlands national team during his playing days. After his retirement, he became a professional football manager and is currently the head coach of La Liga club Barcelona. Tremendously successful as a head coach, he was made the manager of Barcelona in 2020.

 14 
Famke Janssen
(Dutch Actress Known for Her Role in the Netflix Original Series 'Hemlock Grove')
Famke Janssen
25
Birthdate: November 5, 1964
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Amstelveen

Famke Janssen is a Dutch actress best known for playing important roles in popular Hollywood films like the X-Men film series and the Taken film trilogy. A former fashion model, Janssen achieved international recognition when she played Bond girl Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye. Over the course of her acting career, Famke Janssen has recieved several awards, including the Saturn Award.

 15 
Virgil van Dijk
(Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Virgil van Dijk
21
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 8, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Breda

Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk plays as a defender for Liverpool and has won several titles, such as a Premier League, with them. Starting his senior career with Groningen, he later played for teams such as Celtic and Southampton. He is the only defender to be named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

 16 
Marco van Basten
(One of the Greatest Football Strikers of All Time)
Marco van Basten
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 31, 1964
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Utrecht
Dutch footballer Marco van Basten is known for his successful stints at Ajax and Milan and won the Champions League thrice with the latter. However, an ankle injury cut his career short. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner later took over as the manager of Ajax and the Dutch national team.
 17 
Clarence Seedorf
(Dutch Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who is Considered One of the Best Midfielders of His Generation)
Clarence Seedorf
22
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 1, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paramaribo

Clarence Seedorf is a Dutch former football player. Widely considered one of the best midfielders of his era, Seedorf was included in Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004. Having won several continental and domestic titles for clubs in the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, and Spain, Clarence Seedorf is one of the most celebrated and decorated Dutch players of all time.

 18 
Robin van Persie
(One of the Best Football Strikers of His Generation)
Robin van Persie
21
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 6, 1983
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rotterdam

Once one of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Dutch football coach and retired footballer Robin van Persie is also known as one of the greatest strikers of his time. He had successful stints with Arsenal and Manchester United and was also part of the Dutch squad that was the 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up.

 19 
Piet Mondrian
(One of the Greatest Artists of the 20th Century)
Piet Mondrian
8
Birthdate: 1872
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Amersfoort
Died: January 31, 1944

Dutch painter Piet Mondrian is remembered for pioneering what is known as 20th-century abstract art. He co-founded the De Stijl art movement with Theo van Doesburg and gave rise to Neoplasticism. His art was influenced by Cubism. Many of his paintings consist of geometric shapes in particular sets of colors.

 20 
Memphis Depay
(Dutch Football Forward)
Memphis Depay
35
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 13, 1994
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Moordrecht

Dutch footballer Memphis Depay is best known as a forward for Barcelona. Starting his senior career with PSV Eindhoven, he later also played for Manchester United and Lyon. He was also part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup third-place-winning Dutch squad and was the Eredivisie top scorer in 2014-15.

 21 
Wesley Sneijder
(Retired Footballer Who Was One of the Best Midfielders of His Time)
Wesley Sneijder
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 9, 1984
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Utrecht

Retired Dutch footballer Wesley Sneijder was known as one of the best midfielders of his time. Starting his senior career with Ajax, he later had successful stints with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray. He was also part of the Dutch squad that became the 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up.

 22 
Martin Garrix
(Dutch Disc Jockey and Music Producer )
Martin Garrix
16
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 14, 1996
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Amstelveen

Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix has been ranked No.1 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list. He decided to become a DJ when he was a child, and at the age of 17, he became the youngest DJ to headline the 2014 Ultra Music Festival. He has performed at many music festivals including Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival.

 23 
Rutger Hauer
(Dutch Actor Known for His Films: 'Turkish Delight', 'Nighthawks' and 'Blade Runner')
Rutger Hauer
11
Birthdate: January 23, 1944
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Breukelen
Died: July 19, 2019

Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, tagged as the Best Dutch Actor of the Century by the Dutch public, gained spotlight with his debut film, Turkish Delight, the most successful film in the history of Dutch cinema. Moving on, he gained international recognition with other Dutch films like Spetters, and etched his name in Hollywood with films like Nighthawks and Blade Runner.   

 24 
Michiel Huisman
(Dutch Actor Known for His Role as 'Daario Naharis' on HBO’s Fantasy Series 'Game of Thrones')
Michiel Huisman
10
Birthdate: July 18, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amstelveen

Michiel Huisman is a Dutch musician and actor who achieved international fame after taking over the role of Daario Naharis in the popular HBO series Game of Thrones in 2014. Michiel Huisman is also known for his association with the band Fontane, which was later renamed Michiel Huisman.

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 25 
King Willem-Alexander
(King of the Netherlands )
King Willem-Alexander
8
Birthdate: April 27, 1967
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: University Medical Center Utrecht
Willem-Alexander, son of Beatrix of the Netherlands and German-born diplomat Claus van Amsberg, took over as the king of the Netherlands after his mother’s abdication. He has served the Royal Netherlands Navy and been a member of the International Olympic Committee. His interests include sports and water management.
 26 
Hakim Ziyech
(Dutch Football Attacking Midfielder or Winger)
Hakim Ziyech
25
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 19, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Dronten

Dutch footballer Hakim Ziyech, or The Wizard, now represents Chelsea as an attacking midfielder/winger. After beginning his senior career with Heerenveen, he had a successful stint with Ajax, winning titles such as the Eredivisie with them. After representing the Dutch youth teams earlier, he now plays for the Moroccan national team.

 27 
Wim Hof
(Extreme Athlete Known for His Ability to Withstand Low Temperatures)
Wim Hof
12
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 20, 1959
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Sittard

Wim Hof, or The Iceman, is a Dutch extreme athlete and motivational speaker who holds a Guinness record for the fastest half-marathon completed barefoot on ice/snow. He has also devised the Wim Hof Method, which helps one gain control over one’s body through extreme cold tolerance.

 28 
Paul Verhoeven
(Director)
Paul Verhoeven
1
Birthdate: July 18, 1938
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amsterdam

Paul Verhoeven is a Dutch screenwriter and director whose illustrious career has spanned more than 60 years. Over the years, Verhoeven has won prestigious awards such as a Golden Globe Award, César Award, and Saturn Award. Paul Verhoeven is regarded as one of the most popular filmmakers in the Netherlands.   

 29 
Matthijs de Ligt
(Dutch Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Matthijs de Ligt
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 12, 1999
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Leiderdorp

Dutch footballer Matthijs de Ligt currently plays for Serie A club Juventus and the Netherlands national team as a center-back. Making his debut in 2016, he became the youngest player ever to play in a major European final the following year. Football pundits consider him to among the most highly regarded young prospects in world football.

 30 
Frenkie de Jong
(Dutch Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Frenkie de Jong
19
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 12, 1997
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Gorinchem

Frenkie de Jong is a Dutch football player who is currently playing for his national team. In 2019, he was part of the team that won the runner-up trophy at the UEFA Nations League. Renowned for his technique, attacking prowess, passing, and dribbling skills, Frenkie de Jong has also been an important player for Barcelona since 2019.

 31 
Frank Rijkaard
(Dutch Former Football Player and Former Manager Who Played as a Defensive Midfielder)
Frank Rijkaard
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Dutch footballer and former manager Franklin Rijkaard has represented clubs such as Ajax, Real Zaragoza, and A.C. Milan. He has also coached clubs such as Barcelona and Sparta Rotterdam and the Dutch and Saudi Arabian national teams. He has also earned the 2005-2006 UEFA Manager of the Year honor.
 32 
Alex van Halen
(The Drummer and Co-Founder of the Rock Band 'Van Halen')
Alex van Halen
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 8, 1953
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Amsterdam

Alex Van Halen is an American musician known for his drumming skills. He is credited with co-founding the now-defunct band, Van Halen. The band's self-titled debut album influenced several musicians in hard rock at the time of its release in 1978. Alex is also credited with coining the term brown sound, which was usually associated with his late-brother Eddie's guitar.

 33 
Georginio Wijnaldum
(Dutch Football Midfielder)
Georginio Wijnaldum
20
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 11, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rotterdam

Dutch footballer Georginio Wijnaldum plays as a midfielder for the Italian club Roma and the French club Paris Saint-Germain. Starting his youth career with Feyenoord, as the youngest-ever player of the club, he later had successful stints with Liverpool and PSV and was the 2014 FIFA World Cup third-place-winning Dutch squad.

 34 
Otto Frank
(German Businessman and Father of ‘Anne Frank', the Author of 'The Diary of a Young Girl’)
Otto Frank
8
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 12, 1889
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Province of Hesse-Nassau
Died: August 19, 1980
Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank, published her journal, detailing her experience during the Holocaust, as The Diary of a Young Girl, after her death. Otto was the only person in his family to survive the Holocaust. A former banker, he had also served in the German army.
 35 
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
7
Birthdate: October 24, 1632
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Delft
Died: August 26, 1723

Seventeenth-century Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, also known as the Father of Microbiology, is remembered as a pioneer of microscopy. His contribution to microbiology included the discovery of spermatozoa, bacteria, and muscle fibers. Though he had not authored any book, his letters to the Royal Society were later published.

 36 
Patrick Kluivert
(Retired Dutch Football Striker)
Patrick Kluivert
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 1, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amsterdam

Patrick Kluivert was one of the star Dutch footballers of his time who played as a striker for clubs such as Ajax, Barcelona, and AC Milan. The UEFA Euro 2000 Golden Boot winner has also managed teams such as Netherlands and Cameroon. He later held administrative positions at Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

 37 
Jeon So-mi
(Singer)
Jeon So-mi
23
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 9, 2001
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ontario
 38 
M. C. Escher
(Dutch Graphic Artist Best Known for His Works: ‘Hand with Reflecting Sphere’, ‘Relativity’ and ‘Waterfall’)
M. C. Escher
8
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 17, 1898
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Leeuwarden
Died: March 27, 1972
Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher is remembered for his woodcuts, mezzotints, and lithographs inspired by mathematics. He did not receive much appreciation till he turned 70, when he had his first retrospective exhibition. His notable works include Relativity and Waterfall. He also drew inspiration from nature and cityscapes.
 39 
Alistair Overeem
(First Fighter to Hold World Titles in MMA and K-1 Kickboxing at the Same Time)
Alistair Overeem
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 17, 1980
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 40 
Edwin van der Sar
(Former Dutch Football Goalkeeper)
Edwin van der Sar
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 29, 1970
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Voorhout

Ajax CEO and retired Dutch footballer Edwin van der Sar began his senior career with Ajax, winning countless titles with them, such as the Eredivisie and the UEFA Champion’s League. The talented goalkeeper later had successful stints with Juventus, Fulham, and Manchester United. He has also been a 2-time Best European Goalkeeper.

 41 
Nathan Aké
(Dutch Footballer Who Plays as a Defender)
Nathan Aké
18
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 18, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: The Hague

Nathan Aké is a Dutch football player who plays for the Netherlands national football team and Manchester City. In 2019, he helped his national team win the runner-up trophy at the UEFA Nations League. Nathan Aké was also part of the Manchester City Football Club that won the Premier League in 2021 and 2022.    

 42 
Cody Gakpo
(Dutch Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Cody Gakpo
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 7, 1999
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Eindhoven
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 43 
André Rieu
(Violinist and Conductor Best Known for Creating the Waltz-Playing 'Johann Strauss Orchestra')
André Rieu
6
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 1, 1949
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maastricht

André Rieu is a Dutch violinist whose work has earned him international fame for over 30 years. Also an orchestra leader, Rieu is credited with founding the Johann Strauß Orchestra, which is renowned for its unorthodox performances of classical works. André Rieu has played all over the world and is well-known for his performances of classical works by Johann Strauss. 

 44 
Louis van Gaal
(One of the Greatest and Most Decorated Managers in World Football)
Louis van Gaal
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 8, 1951
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Amsterdam

Retired Dutch footballer Louis van Gaal was a midfielder and now serves the Dutch national team as its head coach. While he began his playing career with Ajax, he later had an immensely successful managerial career with Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, and was named the 1995 World Soccer Manager of the Year.

 45 
Beatrix of the Netherlands
(Former Queen of the Netherlands (1980 - 2013))
Beatrix of the Netherlands
6
Birthdate: January 31, 1938
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Soestdijk Palace

Beatrix of the Netherlands reigned as Queen of the Netherlands for 33 years. At the time of her abdication in favor of her son, she was the oldest-reigning monarch in the history of the monarchy of the Netherlands. As the queen, Beatrix had a huge impact on the Dutch people and continues to serve as a patron of several organizations.

 46 
Doutzen Kroes
(Model and Actress Best Known for Her Work as a Victoria’s Secrets Lingerie Model)
Doutzen Kroes
3
Birthdate: January 23, 1985
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Gytsjerk

Dutch supermodel and actor Doutzen Kroes has been a Victoria's Secret Angel and the face of L'Oréal Paris. Known as the Helen of Troy of advertising, she has also been dragged into controversies for promoting an unscientific liver cleanse diet and for her comments against the COVID-19 vaccine on Instagram.

 47 
Michael van Gerwen
(Darts player)
Michael van Gerwen
5
Listed In: Darts Players
Birthdate: April 25, 1989
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Boxtel
 48 
Xavi Simons
(Dutch Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Xavi Simons
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 21, 2003
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 49 
Nikkie De Jager
(Makeup Artist, YouTube Star)
Nikkie De Jager
16
Listed In: YouTubers
Birthdate: March 2, 1994
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Wageningen

Dutch makeup artist and beauty vlogger, Nikkie De Jager, gained online popularity in 2015 after one of her videos went viral. She has been uploading videos on YouTube since 2008 and has millions of followers. She signed to Colourfool Agency in 2011 and began her career as a professional makeup artist. She launched her own eyeshadow palette in 2020.

 50 
Jan van Eyck
(Painter)
Jan van Eyck
3
Birthdate: 1390 AD
Birthplace: Maaseik
Died: July 9, 1441

Jan van Eyck was a painter best remembered for his Early Northern Renaissance art. He was one of the early innovators of Early Netherlandish painting and one of the most significant painters of his generation. A highly influential painter, Jan van Eyck's style and techniques were adopted by the Early Netherlandish painters.