Peter de Bie, a prominent figure in Dutch radio broadcasting, has died at the age of 75. He passed away on his birthday after battling a serious illness for several years and choosing euthanasia.

De Bie was a well-known and respected radio personality, known for his sharp wit and unwavering principles. He leaves behind a legacy of impactful contributions to Dutch radio.

His death comes shortly after the passing of his wife, Dieuwertje Blok, in early March.

De Bie’s career began in 1972 at the Rono, the broadcaster of the northern provinces, after studying labor and organizational psychology. He quickly gained experience and moved on to work for various broadcasters, including KRO and Vara.

He was recognized with the prestigious Zilveren Reissmicrofoon (Silver Reiss Microphone) in 1985.

Throughout his career, De Bie was known for his outspoken nature and willingness to challenge authority. He often clashed with his employers over issues he felt strongly about. In 2018, he moved his beloved radio program, Nieuwsshow, to another broadcaster, Max, after a disagreement with Avrotros.

In an interview in 1990, De Bie declared radio “the most beautiful medium I know.” Decades later, in 2022, he was still presenting Nieuwsweekend with Mieke van der Weij, a program he had been involved with for three decades.