Huge Legacy for 103-Year-Old Woman in ‘The Heir’

There is no trace of Antoinette Hek in the Netherlands. Together with heir researcher Klaas Zondervan, Ruben crosses the border in the hope of gaining more clarity about her inheritance and her heirs. Klaas quickly indicates that in addition to the generous amount of money, a house has also been left behind. They just don’t know where that house is yet. What is known is that Aleida, Antoinette’s mother, has died in Paris.

Dutch funeral in Spain

In Paris, Ruben finds the marriage certificate of Antoinette, who married André Germain Verneiges in 1949 at the age of 33. After a long search, he also finds out that she passed away in 2014 at the age of 98. Her farewell service was not in Paris, but in a church on the Côte d’Azur. Once arrived at the French south coast, Ruben encounters the pastor who provided the service. He says that the service was in Dutch and that a Dutch priest was also present.

A record amount, but no heir

Reuben doesn’t get any further than that. Until Klaas calls. He has found the house that was also bequeathed by Antoinette. It turns out to be in Hyeres, the place of the funeral. During a visit to this house, Ruben learns that Antoinette did indeed live there, but left no children. “There is no heir,” says the neighbor. Meanwhile, Klaas says that Antoinette’s house is worth no less than € 600,000. “That is an absolute record in this program”, Ruben responds.

Drowned brothers

Ruben continues with his search for the heirs, because someone is entitled to the inheritance of a total of € 675,000. Through the family tree, Ruben finds out that Antoinette had five brothers. One died at the age of 3, another in 1975. The other three brothers died by drowning while swimming, under the watchful eye of their father. That means that there are indeed no heirs within Antoinette’s family.

Legacy to 103 year old Theodora

But, long story short: Ruben discovers that one of Antoinette’s cousins, Theodora, is still alive. Due to the age of 103, a visit from Ruben is just a bit too much, but that does not alter the fact that she is entitled to an inheritance of € 168,750. The inheritance for another niece who died in 2019 goes to her children Lambertus and Wilhelmina: they both receive € 84,375. “Incredible. I did not expect that”, is the first reaction of Lambertus. He had never heard of Antoinette Hek before. His sister is also impressed.

Viewers amazed by legacy

Viewers have enjoyed the episode and call it a beautiful throwback. “A 6-ton house in France! I can get used to that,” responds one viewer. Another wrote: “Ruben, I volunteer to be his heir.”

Source: the heir