Hello Jan,

When I once made the leap from TV to magazine land and ended up at Beau Monde (a magazine with a strong focus on the ‘incurably rich’ as Jort so wonderfully puts it), it was quite logical that I ended up with you and Monique.

Because when you say ‘wealthy’, you quickly arrive at your clientele. Saint Tropez, the Gooi, driveways, indoor swimming pools, a jet here and a jet there. Yet I got to know you better then: I learned that your taste and style had to be accessible to everyone. White walls and symmetry, that was accessible to everyone. And that's why you also entered into collaborations with accessible chains, so that we could all have a ‘Bouvje’ at home.

Jan, you have changed the Netherlands. The geraniums and the granollen walls could go to the bulk waste. You also wanted to set up an MBO education for people like you: those who did not excel in school but have another great talent.

I really got to know you and Monique. In the crown years, we came to your birthday. Once at your house in the Gooi (the most beautiful house I've ever seen) and once, three years ago, in Saint Tropez. What do you give a man who has everything? We decided to give you our favorite movie. A hit. You talked about the film that changed your life.

Do you know what people might not know about you? Your loyalty. Even when I was away from Beau Monde and there wasn't much to gain from me business-wise, I received the most beautiful bouquets at the births of our daughters. When you saw us, you opened up to us. You had genuine interest. In me, in us, in the other. And that, dear Jan, was perhaps your greatest strength.

I thank you for everything. The Netherlands will never forget you.

Image: video NOS