List of people from Heerlen explained

This is a list of notable people from Heerlen, The Netherlands.

Born in Heerlen

The following were born or adopted in Heerlen. Some became famous after they moved away.

A

• Wiel Arets (1955), architect and urban planner

B

• Thomas Bernhard (1931–1989), novelist and playwright
• Jessica Blaszka (1992), wrestler
• Melanie Bonajo (1978), artist and filmmaker
• Roel Brouwers (1981), football player

C

• Jo Coenen (1949), architect and urban planner

D

• Johan Michiel Dautzenberg (1808–1869), writer and poet
• Isabelle Diks (1965), politician

E

• Silvio Erkens (1990), politician

G

• Harrie Geelen (1939), illustrator and writer
• Agnes Giebel (1921-2017), classical soprano
• Dion Graus (1967), politician

H

• Hubert-Jan Henket (1940), architect
• Loek Hermans (1951), politician
• Tamara Hoekwater (1972), singer
• Danny Hoesen (1991), football player
• Jan Hugens (1939-2011), road cyclist
• Guus Hupperts (1992), football player

K

• Shirley Kocacinar (1986), football player

L

• Jef Lataster (1922-2014), long distance runner
• Romée Leuchter (2001), football player

M

• Issam El Maach (2000), football player
• Jan Mans (1940-2021), politician and mayor
• Eugène Martineau (1980), decathlete
• Jan Mertens (1916–2000), politician

P

• Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (1973), politician

R

• Peter Raedts (1948-2021), medievalist
• Fernando Ricksen (1976-2019), football player
• Jo Ritzen (1945), economist and politician
• Rob Ruijgh (1986), road cyclist

S

• Peter Joseph Savelberg (1827–1907), priest and missionary
• Pierre Schunck (1906-1993), businessman and resistance leader
• Ger Senden (1971), football player
• Nicoline van der Sijs (1955), linguist and etymologist
• Rutger Stuffken (1947), Olympic rower
• Jules Szymkowiak (1995), racing driver

T

• Gijs Tuinman (1979), knighted military officer
• Nic. Tummers (1928-2020), politician

V

• Klaas de Vries (1943), politician

W

• Carlijn Welten (1987), field hockey player
• Oswald Wenckebach (1895–1962), sculptor and painter

Born somewhere else

These people were not born or adopted in Heerlen but are or were well known for living there.

G

• Rob Geus (1971), cook and TV presenter (Rotterdam)

P

• Frits Peutz (1896–1974), architect (Uithuizen)

S

• Peter Schunck (1873–1960), businessman (Hergenrath, Prussia)
• Fatih Sonkaya (1981), football player (Oltu, Turkey)

T

• Frans Timmermans (1961), politician (Maastricht)

W

• Jan de Wit (1945), politician (Zevenbergen)

Mayors of Heerlen

See main article: List of mayors of Heerlen.