Mark Rutte
Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician currently serving as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for the last eight years.
Rutte paid a visit to the White House recently and was addressing reporters alongside President Trump when he interrupted him saying ‘no’ to Trump’s statement that failing to find agreement with the EU on tariffs would be “positive.”
So who is the Dutch politician who said no, to Trump? Get to know below 10 facts about him.
#1 He is sensitive
During a 2015 interview for women’s magazine Margriet, the prime minister said he is just as sensitive as the next person.
#2 He doesn’t have a temper
Rutte who is described as having an ‘eternal smile’ has also revealed, he only ‘slams the door twice a year and then pokes his head around to say sorry’. His attitude allows him to shrug things off, no matter what his political opponents throw at him.
#3 He wanted to be a musician
Born, February 14, 1967; Rutte had originally planned to attend a conservatory and become a concert pianist. Instead, he attended Leiden University earning a MA degree in history.
#4 He spent a decade in the industry before going into politics
Rutte is a former businessman who held important positions at Unilever. He served as manager for Unilever’s food subsidiary Calve. He played a key role in a number of reorganizations within the Human Resources department. He was also a staff manager for Van den Bergh Nederland and was named human resource manager for IgloMora Groep.
#5 He enjoys teaching
Rutte spends one morning a week teaching Dutch and Civics at a nearby secondary school.
#6 He has big thumbs?
He told Margiet, he uses a Nokia phone to send texts and blamed his big thumbs for making it hard to use a smartphone.
#7 He is a Mozart fan
Mark Rutte’s favourite classical music include Mozart’s String quartet no 4, part 1 ‘Allegro’, Brahm’s clarinet quartet, opus 115 – part II, ‘Adagio’ and Franz Schubert’s ‘Gute Nacht’.
#8 He also has an active role in international affairs.
According to his website, The Prime Minister attends several international conferences each year and handles a wide range of bilateral international relations.
#9 He comes from a big family
Rutte was born one of seven kids, his oldest brother is 35 years older than him.
#10 There is no Mrs. Rutte
At 51-year-old, Rutte does not have a wife, has never been married and doesn’t have children of his own either.
