Marie-Jeanne Naessens, the widow of Belgian entrepreneur Willy Naessens, attended her first Waregem Koerse horse racing event without her husband on Tuesday, September 3, 2025. The event held particular emotional weight as it marked the first edition of the race following Naessens’ death earlier that year.
Willy Naessens, a prominent figure in the Belgian construction industry, died in March 2025 from complications following a fall in January. His absence was keenly felt at the traditionally popular event, which he had attended for 58 years, according to reports.
“This was his day. I still can’t grasp that he’s no longer here,” Marie-Jeanne said, as reported by DeKrantenkoppen.be. The event organizers planned a tribute to Willy Naessens, described by Marie-Jeanne as an “emotional ode,” during the day’s proceedings.
Despite the profound grief, Marie-Jeanne has been actively seeking ways to cope with the loss and maintain a positive outlook. In June 2025, she spoke about the importance of staying active, stating, “If you lose someone you loved dearly, you can do two things: stay home and get sick or come out and carry on,” according to Nieuwskoppen.be. She echoed this sentiment on Qmusic, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation but emphasizing the need for life to continue.
Marie-Jeanne has embraced opportunities for distraction and social engagement, including a visit to the Tomorrowland dance festival in July. “I seize everything with the opportunity I get,” she told Qmusic. She believes that being among people is preferable to isolation, stating, “Being alone only makes you sad, so it’s better to be among people.”
The first Waregem Koerse without Willy Naessens was described as a “special” and “emotional” day for Marie-Jeanne. The event served as a public acknowledgement of his legacy and a moment for her to navigate a life altered by his passing.
