Tell Us About Yourself and your life?
My name is Marion. I was born and raised in The Hague and I still live there with my two cats, Jan and Arie. I married my first love when I was 21 but unfortunately, we divorced when I was 24. It was me who was the problem, as I fell in love with somebody else. Since then I have had several relationships but have now been single for 10 years. I really don’t mind being by myself. As an only child of very young parents, I was used to being on my own most of the time. So I can honestly say that I am my own best friend and we actually get along together really very well. In other words, I never feel lonely.
Tell us about your career?
Due to circumstances at home, I started working immediately after my final exams. Through courses, at Schoevers I was able to work my way up to Secretary and then Executive Secretary. In the 1980s I helped my then partner expand his wine business from a small retail store to a leading wine import company with a franchise chain. When I turned 40, I changed course and started my own business. It was an import company, retail store, and wholesale business (for hospitality and retail) in high-quality tea and related items such as confectionery and tableware. In 2011 I opened a second shop. After doing this for 26 years, I got tired of the hard work and stress that comes with having your own business. The year I turned 66, I sold the entire business. Since then (at the time of writing 2.5 yrs ago) I have been enjoying my retirement.
If You Had a Warning Label, What Would It Be?
Take care! She can be direct but she really is ok.
What Scares You?
Actually, nothing can scare me anymore. I live in the moment, I don’t look to the past and I take the future as it comes.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having had a complicated childhood, I am proud to have grown into the independent, positive, and happy person that I am now.
What is your fantasy version of your older self, let’s say 80 years old?
Still, a sparkling, positive person, giving dinner parties for my friends, visiting art galleries, going to the cinema, and visiting the theatre to see a modern ballet or a good play. And of course still living in The Hague, because that really is my favorite place to be.
What Would You Tweet to Your Younger Self?
The world-famous ‘Take Five’ by Dave Brubeck is one of my favorite albums. I wished I had said to my younger self: “Take five. Relax, look around and enjoy the moment”.
What do you do to stay positive both mentally and physically?
Normally (pre-COVID19) I would go to the gym five times a week for my yoga practice and do body pump. Now I do some exercises at home (not as many as I would like because of a lack of discipline, haha) and I walk a lot, really a lot.
What is your age and how old do you feel?
I am 68 and I certainly don’t feel my age at all! In my head I am 30ish; still eager to do many things. I don’t like leaning back. I am a Sagittarius, so I like change. I need inspiration and I get that from going around, traveling, reading, following nice accounts on Instagram, visiting museums. I never really have a dull moment!
