Introduce!
This week, to everyone’s great surprise, Dick Schoof was suddenly presented as the intended prime minister, which seems to reveal the successor to Mark Rutte in one fell swoop. But while the VVD veteran kept his private life strictly under wraps, a little more is known about Dick Schoof. Introduce!
Dick Schoof
Would the premiership rest on the shoulders of Geert Wilders? Or would the role go to Ronald Plasterk? Suddenly there was a name (unknown to many): Dick Schoof was put forward by the parties involved as the intended Prime Minister.
A striking choice, because he is not linked to any of the cabinet parties. However, he has already had an impressive career within the Dutch government, and in 2018 Dick became the new director general of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD). And now the next goal is in sight: the premiership.
Surprised family
The fact that Dick – who himself was once a ‘sleeping PVDA member’, but is otherwise not affiliated with any political party – would have been asked for the Torentje was also a huge surprise for his family. Brother Peter Schoof revealed this to RTV Oost.
“I was away for a while and when I got home I saw all kinds of missed calls and texts. Very special of course,” says Peter.
Famous brothers
Dick grew up largely in the east of the country as the second youngest member of a Catholic family with seven children. His older brother once revealed that their parents thought hard work was very important. “Lounging around at school was out of the question. You use the talents you have been given,” the NRC quotes.
And that hard work has done the children of the Schoof family no harm! For example, brother Nico has been mayor of various Dutch municipalities over the years. It will not surprise you that he was also regularly in the spotlight in this role.
Brother Peter Schoof has also done a lot in the media both in front of and behind the scenes, as a quick look at his LinkedIn page reveals. He also regularly performs as a musician. You can see one of those performances below:
Family
And Dick Schoof himself? What does his family look like? Het Parool reports that he now lives in Zoetermeer, has a partner and two daughters whom he adopted from China with his ex-wife. Reportedly, those daughters, Yasmin Schoof and Celine Schoof, hardly know their father other than in a suit or running clothes.
Childhood friend Martijn Bakker shared with the NRC that they used to miss their father quite a bit. “He finds it very difficult to say no to his work. He has made mistakes with that in the past.” He has since changed course. The love for his work is still there, but he also makes more time for his daughters.
“I want to do what I do well, but I do it differently now,” Dick shared at the time about the balance between work and private life.
Daughters
Fortunately, it seems that Dick’s daughters have both ended up well on their feet. Yasmin graduated cum laude from Leiden University and is currently working hard as a consultant. Moreover, in her spare time she is fully committed to charity as a volunteer Interim Director at the Adoptionpedia Foundation.
Celine seems to be following in her father’s footsteps. After obtaining her Master’s degree in Crisis and Security Management, she immediately started working for the government as a cyber trainee, where she is still active as a Cybersecurity Advisor.
Both daughters are clearly just as driven as their father. We will undoubtedly hear more about this in the future!
Source: RTV Oost, NRC, Parool | Image: NL Image
