nuOct 1, 2026, 11:06

Paulien Cornelisse's husband writes about her columns: 'A great gift'

The husband of the late writer Paulien Cornelisse has shared personal tributes to her work and revealed that she left behind a letter with instructions for him before her death at age fifty. Cornelisse was a well-known columnist for Dutch newspapers and a television personality who passed away from cancer in 2024.

The husband of the late writer and television personality Paulien Cornelisse, who passed away at fifty due to cancer in 2024, recently shared personal reflections on her prolific career. Writing in De Volkskrant, he described how her columns served as a cherished record of their family life, noting that many were written in her pajamas. Among his most treasured pieces is a column titled Gekraak, which details a shared adventure searching for a place to ice skate, a memory he now keeps prominently displayed in his workspace.

Beyond her literary work, Cornelisse had prepared for the unexpected by writing a letter containing instructions for her husband in the event of her sudden death. Following her passing, he opened the envelope marked with important information, though he has chosen to keep the specific contents private. Known for her contributions to major publications like NRC and De Volkskrant, as well as her role on the television show De slimste mens, Cornelisse left behind a legacy of keen observation and storytelling.

Culture Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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