:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/2BK246TKONCE3AADD5PHTLMURI.jpg "Until death do them part: after seven decades together, a famous couple from the Netherlands chose “dual euthanasia”")
A former Dutch Prime Minister and his wife chose to die together, fulfilling a wish the had to die in unison, using a process known as “dual euthanasia.” Dries van Agt, 93, and his wife, Eugenie, passed away together earlier this month through this method, following a period of declining health.
The couple had spent decades together, with photographs showing them walking in unison, waving to crowds, voting, and sharing moments in public. They were well-known public figures, but their health had deteriorated in recent years. The former prime minister never fully recovered from a brain hemorrhage in 2019, while his wife’s health problems were largely kept private.
Dual euthanasia, a growing trend in the Netherlands, was chosen as the way for the couple to end their lives. At least 29 couples, or 58 people, died together through dual euthanasia in 2022, a significant increase from the previous year. Euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal in the Netherlands since 2002, but strict criteria must be met and a rigorous review process is required.
Assistant suicide is also allowed in some states in the United States, but there are significant disparities in eligibility requirements. Research suggests that older Americans have a higher risk of dying after losing a spouse, making the Van Agts’ decision to die together by dual euthanasia a poignant and thought-provoking one.
As more people become willing to euthanasia to those with age-related conditions, it’s expected that the number of dual euthanasia cases will continue to increase. This trend also puts the Netherlands in contrast to the United States, making it a “kind of model” for American legislation on the issue.