There were high visitors in Rosmalen, but that didn’t last long. The world-famous tennis star Venus Williams was there on Tuesday at the Libéma Open, but she already flew out in the first round. She lost to a much younger Swiss tennis star. Venus’ even more famous sister Serena Williams was in the stands to cheer her on, but it didn’t help. The Williams sisters are not the only world stars who love Brabant. These celebrities preceded them.
Bruce Springsteen
Visitors to the Italian restaurant Antonio’s in Eindhoven had to blink twice in 2015 when they saw Bruce Springsteen walk in. The living legend was in town to watch his daughter, who is a show jumper, compete. He has been a regular guest at the restaurant for many years. So if he is in Brabant and you want an autograph, that is the place to be. “He always stops eating and stands up for the fans,” said the owner.
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Kendall Jenner and sisters Hadid
Who also showed up in Brabant were the supermodels Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. The American stars visited Efteling in 2018. Only real fans probably spotted them, because they were disguised in costumes from the park.
READ ALSO: Gigi and Bella Hadid in De Efteling, supermodels hide behind masks in amusement park
Rupert Grint
Just like us, the stars are also fans of Efteling. Because Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint has also been spotted there. He celebrated New Year’s Eve in the park in 2019. Fans couldn’t believe their luck when they came across him. And he also took the time to take a picture with them.
READ ALSO: Ron from Harry Potter celebrates New Year’s Eve in Efteling
Dick Fosbury
Few people knew it at the time, but Olympic high jump champion Dick Fosbury lived in Brabant for a while. As a former basketball player, he knew a number of American players at EBBC in Den Bosch, which is now called Heroes. After missing the Olympic Games in 1972, he decided to find diversion in basketball. He trained for a while in Den Bosch and found shelter with a friend in Oudheusden.
John Cleese
It was probably the most unusual opening of a tunnel in Brabant ever: that of the Dommeltunnel in Eindhoven. British comedian John Cleese, known for Monty Python, came by. And that led to complete media frenzy. His visit was due to a town official, who sent a cheeky email to Cleese. When asked why he opened a tunnel in Eindhoven, his answer was: “I have no idea.”
READ ALSO: Madness at the opening of the Dommel tunnel by John Cleese: Not a Flying Circus but a media circus
Diego Maradona
It was three unforgettable weeks for Mierlo in August 2017. None other than star football player Diego Maradona came to the village for a training camp. He shopped at Hema, had his picture taken with fans and spent weeks with his team in the HUP hotel. “You only experience something like this once in your life and you never forget it,” said manager Mark Oidtmann at the time. It was Maradona’s last trip to the Netherlands. In November 2020, the footballer passed away.
READ ALSO: Diego Maradona in Mierlo, fans seize their chance