Love Beyond Death: Netherland's ex-PM, his wife die holding hands in a rare double Euthanasia

Former Dutch Prime Minister, Dries van Agt, and his wife, Eugenie, both aged 93, peacefully departed hand in hand in a rare double euthanasia, marking the end of their journey together. The couple, who had been married for over 70 years, were laid to rest next to each other on Thursday. The Rights Forum, a human rights organisation founded by van Agt, conveyed the poignant moment, stating, “He passed away hand in hand with his beloved wife Eugenie van Agt-Krekelberg, his unwavering support throughout their enduring companionship.” The couple’s bond began in their student days at Nijmegen. Known for his distinctive personality, van Agt served as Prime Minister from 1977 to 1982, earning popularity for his humor and his affinity for cycling alongside Tour de France participants. Despite being labeled as a “Jesuit” and a “mystic” by political adversaries, his later years saw him embracing increasingly leftist perspectives, notably opposing his party’s alliance with Gert Wilders’ PVV in 2010. Van Agt’s outspoken stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict garnered attention, with his characterisation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “a war criminal” in 2016, alongside his extensive literary contributions on the subject. Euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal in the Netherlands since 2002 under strict criteria. While double euthanasia remains rare, its occurrence has seen an upward trend, with 26 cases reported in 2020 and 58 in 2022 out of a total of 9,000 euthanasia instances. Reflecting on the decision of couples to opt for double euthanasia, Constance de Vries from the Euthanasia Expertise Center emphasized the apprehension many individuals feel about facing life alone, particularly as they age and their flexibility diminishes.