Neelie decided after 25 years to break up with the now deceased Wouter Jan Smit. Partly because they had gradually lost each other due to busy schedules – something Neelie now warns work-hungry couples about. “Whatever time it is or how tired you are: involve that other person in your life,” she says in Nouveau.
Love
She found new happiness with Bram Peper (82), the then mayor of Rotterdam, whom she married in 1995. ‘I’ve been very happy with Bram.’ Yet their marriage ended in 2003. Since then, she no longer needs a lover. “I’ve had enough cuddling with my grandchildren. That feeling is priceless, especially if you don’t see each other much.’
never lonely
Neelie is never lonely. She has plenty of friends with whom she does all kinds of things. She also enjoys herself just fine, in her rural house with a view of grazing cows and the river De Vecht and in her studio in her hometown of Rotterdam. During the week in the green, the weekends in the city: the ideal combination for Neelie. She will sign it if she can enjoy it for years to come. ‘As long as you’re healthy, it actually gets more fun. I also have no problem with the aging appearance.’
Article continues after the ad
—
–
–
–
Image: Peter Smulders
Read the whole story in Story. Edition 27 is now in stores or read the article via Magazine.nl
–
—
