Jan Terlouw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jan Terlouw
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Terlouw in 1981
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| Member of the Senate | |
| In office 8 June 1999 – 10 June 2003 |
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| Queen's Commissioner of Gelderland | |
| In office 1 November 1991 – 1 December 1996 |
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| Monarch | Beatrix |
| Preceded by | Ad Oele (ad interim) |
| Succeeded by | Jan Kamminga |
| Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands | |
| In office 11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 Serving with Joop den Uyl (1982)
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| Prime Minister | Dries van Agt |
| Preceded by | Hans Wiegel |
| Succeeded by | Gijs van Aardenne |
| Minister of Economic Affairs | |
| In office 11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 |
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| Prime Minister | Dries van Agt |
| Preceded by | Gijs van Aardenne |
| Succeeded by | Gijs van Aardenne |
| Leader of the Democrats 66 | |
| In office 1 September 1973 – 8 September 1982 |
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| Preceded by | Hans van Mierlo |
| Succeeded by | Laurens Jan Brinkhorst |
| Leader of the Democrats 66 in the House of Representatives |
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| In office 1 September 1973 – 11 September 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Hans van Mierlo |
| Succeeded by | Laurens Jan Brinkhorst |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 11 May 1971 – 11 September 1981 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jan Cornelis Terlouw
15 November 1931 Kamperveen, Netherlands |
| Died | 16 May 2025 (aged 93) Twello, Netherlands |
| Political party | Democrats 66 (from 1967) |
| Spouse |
Alexandra van Hulst
(m. 1956; |
| Children | Sanne Terlouw (born 1959) Ashley Terlouw (born 1960) 1 other daughter and 1 son |
| Residence | Twello |
| Education | Utrecht University (MSc, PhD) |
| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Netherlands |
| Branch | Royal Netherlands Army |
| Years of service | 1956–1958 (Conscription) 1958–1961 (Reserve) |
| Rank |  Private first class |
Jan Cornelis Terlouw (born 15 November 1931 – died 16 May 2025) was a famous Dutch politician, scientist, and writer. He was a member of the Democrats 66 (D66) political party. From 1981 to 1982, he served as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands. This means he was the second-in-command to the Prime Minister, Dries van Agt.
Jan Terlouw was known for his smart ideas and his ability to bring people together. He wrote many popular children's books. His most famous book, Winter in Wartime, was even made into a movie!
Contents
Early Life and Education
Where Jan Terlouw Grew Up
Jan Terlouw was born in a place called Kamperveen in the Netherlands. He grew up in the Veluwe region. He was the oldest of five children, with two younger brothers and two sisters.
His Studies and Research
After finishing high school, Jan Terlouw went to Utrecht University. He studied physics and earned his master's degree in 1956. Later, in 1964, he earned his PhD in mathematics and physics. A PhD is the highest university degree you can get.
After university, he worked as a researcher. He studied nuclear physics in the Netherlands, the United States, and Sweden. He worked at places like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).
Jan Terlouw's Political Career
Starting in Politics
Jan Terlouw became a politician after working as a scientist for 13 years. In 1970, he joined the Democrats 66 (D66) political party. He was elected to the House of Representatives, which is like one of the main parts of the Dutch government.
Becoming a Party Leader
In 1973, the leader of the D66 party, Hans van Mierlo, decided to step down. Jan Terlouw was chosen to be the new leader. He led the party during the elections in 1977 and 1981.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
After the 1981 election, Jan Terlouw helped form a new government. He became the Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands and also the Minister of Economic Affairs. He started these important jobs on 11 September 1981.
His government, led by Prime Minister Dries van Agt, lasted for about seven months. Even after that government ended, Jan Terlouw continued in his roles for a short time. He stepped down as party leader in September 1982.
Later Political Roles
Jan Terlouw continued to be active in public service. From 1983 to 1991, he was the Secretary-General of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT). This group helps countries work together on transportation.
Later, he became the Queen's Commissioner for the province of Gelderland. This is a bit like being a governor for a region. He held this position from 1991 to 1996.
He also taught at universities, including the University of Amsterdam and Tilburg University. In 1999, he was elected to the Senate, another part of the Dutch government. He served there until 2003.
Jan Terlouw as an Author
Jan Terlouw was a very busy writer. He wrote more than 20 children's books. His stories are loved by many young readers.
Famous Books and Movies
Two of his most famous books are Winter in Wartime (written in 1972) and How to Become King (Koning van Katoren, written in 1971). Both of these books won the Gouden Griffel, which is a big award for children's books in the Netherlands.
Both Winter in Wartime and How to Become King were made into movies. The film Winter in Wartime came out in 2008.
Personal Life
Jan Terlouw was married to Alexandra van Hulst. They had four children and 12 grandchildren. Alexandra passed away in 2017. Jan Terlouw himself passed away in Twello on 16 May 2025, at the age of 93.
Honours and Awards
Jan Terlouw received several important honours and awards for his work.
Special Honours
- He was made a Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1982. This is a special honour from the Netherlands.
- He received an honorary degree from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium in 2017.
Book Awards
- 1972: Gouden Griffel for Koning van Katoren (How to Become King)
- 1973: Gouden Griffel for Winter in Wartime
- 1990: Prize of the Netherlands Children's Jury for The Figure-skater
- 2000: Prize of the Dutch Young Jury for Eigen rechter (1988)
Images for kids
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Deputy Prime Minister Jan Terlouw and Prime Minister Dries van Agt in the House of Representatives on 8 June 1982.
See also
In Spanish: Jan Terlouw para niños
