Clairy Polak passed away yesterday at the age of 67. Her broadcaster Human announces that she had been ‘terribly ill for some time’. “She was on the radio a few weeks ago.”
Sad news on this Friday afternoon: Clairy Polak appears to have passed away yesterday, at the age of only 67. “She had been terminally ill for some time,” said Omroep Human. And a lot of people didn’t see that coming. A few weeks ago she could be heard on NPO Radio 1, where she expressed a critical opinion about Fidan Ekiz.
‘She still sounded vital’
Ron Vergouwen, the media connoisseur of that radio station, is shocked. “Sad news. A journalistic icon is no more. A few weeks ago she was still on the radio, sounded very vital then,” he says on X.
Telegraaf presenter Wilson Boldewijn writes: “Only turned 67. Way too young. RIP.”
And Eelco Bosch van Rosenthal: “Oh no.”
Big loss
Many radio listeners and TV viewers also react sadly. “What a great loss, such a good journalist with so much sharpness and warmth,” says Elke at X.
Bianca: “Jeez, that’s a shock. I always loved watching The Philosophical Quintet. I found her to be a good facilitator. Condolences to her family.”
And Rob: “Weird. Just heard it on the radio. Nothing about being sick. Big loss. Condolences to the bereaved!”
Alzheimer’s
Clairy’s husband, Nico Commijs, died of Alzheimer’s in 2019. He had been in an institution for four years. “If I discover a pattern of forgetfulness in myself, I would immediately have an investigation done. And if it turns out that I have Alzheimer’s, I will take measures,” she said at the time de Volkskrant.
Clairy didn’t want to end her life that way. “I have decided to end my life immediately. With Alzheimer’s you should not delay for too long, because otherwise you will be sure that you are no longer in control. And my experience with that disease is such that I would like to spare myself.”
X
Omroep Human announces the death of Clairy: