Flanders Bids Farewell to Margriet Hermans in Live Funeral
Flanders said its final goodbye to Margriet Hermans on June 10, 2026, as her funeral was broadcast live from the Landloperskapel in Merksplas-Kolonie. Hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, colleagues, and fans, gathered to honor the life of the beloved Flemish singer, television presenter, actress, and politician, who died by euthanasia on June 3 at age 72 after a brief battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma.
A Life Across Entertainment and Politics
Born on March 17, 1954, in Turnhout as the fourth of six children, Margareta Maria Josepha Hermans began her career as a teacher before being discovered by Marc Dex in 1985. She rose to fame with hits like “Een vriend” (1987), which won Radio 2 Zomerhit, and “Alle mooie mannen zijn zo lelijk” (1990). From 1989 to 1997, she hosted her own talk show “Margriet” from the Middelkerke casino, becoming a household name across Flanders, as reported by VRT NWS.
In 1999, Hermans entered politics, serving in the Flemish Parliament until 2009 and as a Gemeenschapssenator from 2004 to 2009. She was also a municipal councilor in Oud-Turnhout and a member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. In 2007, she was knighted in the Order of Leopold. After leaving parliament, she returned to music and teaching, experiencing a career resurgence in 2022 through the television program “Liefde voor Muziek,” where her cover “Lekker blijven hangen” became her biggest hit.
An Emotional Farewell
The funeral was led by former television colleague and politician Johan Verstreken, who told VRT NWS that Hermans had helped plan the service herself. “She gave a number of wishes to Celien and her husband Frank, about how she wanted the memorial,” Verstreken said. “It will be a beautiful, serene memorial, not a show.”
The most moving moment came from Hermans’ daughter, Celien Deloof, who delivered an emotional speech. “You were my best friend. You were my sounding board, my anchor,” she said, according to VRT NWS. Celien revealed her mother’s iconic last words: “Alright, bye guys.” She asked for a final standing ovation for “the one and only Margriet Hermans,” which the congregation honored, followed by her hit “Lekker blijven hangen.”
Television presenter Luc Appermont paid tribute, calling Hermans a “unique personality in the Flemish entertainment world.” Marc Dex, who discovered her, said: “Thank you for everything, Margriet.”
A Nation in Mourning
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele were among the dignitaries in attendance. Outside, hundreds of fans watched the service on a large screen at the Kolonie. The funeral was also streamed live, with even a gathering in Tenerife organized for Flemish expats to follow the service.
Hermans was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma in April 2026 and cancelled all public activities on May 19. She chose euthanasia, passing away at the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) in Edegem on June 3, surrounded by loved ones.
A Legacy of Authenticity
Colleagues remembered Hermans for her warmth, humor, and unfiltered honesty. Comedian Jacques Vermeire described her as “an artist who loved her audience,” while Kurt Van Eeghem noted that after her political career, “she was embraced again by all of Flanders.” As Wikipedia records, she was a rare talent who seamlessly moved between music, television, politics, and education.
Margriet Hermans is survived by her husband Frank Deloof and daughter Celien. Her legacy as a trailblazer in Flemish entertainment and public life will endure for generations.