Willem Holleeder, also known as “The Nose,” is one of the most notorious criminals in the Netherlands. Born on May 29, 1958 in Amsterdam, he grew up in a working-class family. His life of crime began at a young age, but he gained national fame in 1983 for his role in the kidnapping of Freddy Heineken, CEO of the famous beer company, and his driver Ab Doderer. This kidnapping, one of the most talked about in Dutch history, resulted in a ransom of 35 million guilders, which was a huge sum at the time. Holleeder was later arrested and convicted for his involvement, and served an eleven-year prison sentence.
Rise in the Underworld
After his release in 1992, Holleeder built a reputation as a powerful figure in the Dutch underworld. He became known for his involvement in extortion, mainly of real estate developers and entrepreneurs. Together with criminal partners, such as his childhood friend Cor van Hout, he was active in the criminal circuit of Amsterdam. His nickname, “The Nose,” comes from his striking facial features.
Despite his previous prison sentence, Holleeder managed to consolidate his position of power in the underworld. He was seen as a charismatic but violent figure, who was able to eliminate his enemies without mercy. His methods were harsh, and he is said to have had several rivals liquidated.
Conflicts and Betrayal
A major turning point in Holleeder’s life came after the death of Cor van Hout in 2003, who himself was murdered in a wave of liquidations within the Amsterdam underworld. Van Hout was not only Holleeder’s criminal partner, but also his brother-in-law, as Holleeder was married to Van Hout’s sister Sonja. After Van Hout’s death, conflicts arose between Holleeder and other criminals, which led to an escalation of violence.
In 2006, Holleeder was arrested again, this time for extorting several real estate agents, including the well-known businessman Willem Endstra. Endstra had designated Holleeder as his main extortioner, and shortly afterwards Endstra himself was murdered, presumably on the orders of the underworld. Holleeder was sentenced to nine years in prison for extortion, but the suspicions surrounding the murders lingered.
The Trial and Life Sentence
In 2013, Holleeder was released, but was soon charged again. This time, it was for his alleged involvement in a series of liquidations in the Amsterdam underworld, including the murders of Willem Endstra, Cor van Hout, and other criminal figures such as Kees Houtman and Thomas van der Bijl. Holleeder’s sisters, Sonja and Astrid Holleeder, played a crucial role in the trial against him. They decided to testify against their brother, which caused a shock in Dutch society. Astrid Holleeder, who is a lawyer, later published a book entitled “Judas” in which she described her complex relationship with her brother and the fear she and her family had for him.
In July 2019, Willem Holleeder was sentenced to life in prison for his role in five murders and ordering several assassinations. He was found guilty of leading a criminal organization responsible for settling scores in the violent underworld. The verdict confirmed Holleeder’s status as one of the most feared and hated criminals in the Netherlands.
Current Detention and Actions
Since his conviction, Holleeder has been in the Extra Secure Institution (EBI) in Vught, the highest security prison in the Netherlands. His detention conditions are considered harsh; he spends a lot of time in solitary confinement and has limited contact with the outside world. In October 2024, he and seven other detainees, including Ridouan Taghi, participated in a hunger strike to protest the harsh detention conditions in the EBI. According to his lawyers, prisoners like Holleeder suffer from serious mental and physical health problems due to the isolation and restrictive measures in prison.
Cultural Impact and Aftermath
Holleeder’s life and crimes have had a lasting impact on Dutch society. His story has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, TV series and films. His sisters, especially Astrid Holleeder, have also become important public figures through their testimonies and publications about their lives with Willem. The book “Judas” became a bestseller and gave a profound insight into the workings of Holleeder’s criminal organization and the personal side of his terror against his own family.
Despite his life sentence, Willem Holleeder remains a prominent figure in Dutch criminal culture, and his influence on organized crime in the Netherlands is still felt today. His story is one of betrayal, power, and the devastating consequences of a life devoted to crime.
