Arlette van der Valk, a member of the wealthy Dutch family that owns the Van der Valk hotel chain, was kidnapped in 1982. She was eventually released after a ransom was paid.
In the early 1980s, the Van der Valk family was thrust into the spotlight when Arlette van der Valk, the wife of Gerrit van der Valk, one of the family members who managed the hotel chain, was abducted. The incident occurred in November 1982, when Arlette was taken from her home by a group of kidnappers. The family, known for their successful hotel and restaurant business across the Netherlands and beyond, was shaken by this event.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom for her safe return, and the family was faced with a difficult and dangerous situation. Negotiations with the kidnappers were tense and fraught with uncertainty. The Dutch police were involved, but the family decided to handle the ransom payment privately, fearing for Arlette’s safety.
After a period of negotiation, the family agreed to pay the ransom, which was reported to be millions of guilders (the currency of the Netherlands before the euro). Following the payment, Arlette was released unharmed. The exact details of the payment and her release were kept private, and it is unclear if the kidnappers were ever apprehended or brought to justice.
The kidnapping of Arlette van der Valk was a significant event that highlighted the vulnerabilities of wealthy families to such crimes. It also underscored the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with high-stakes kidnappings where the victim’s life hangs in the balance. The incident remains a notable moment in the history of the Van der Valk family and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with wealth and public exposure.