The meeting of Belgium’s oldest man and woman
A rare significant event occurred in Belgium. The country’s oldest living man (Doyen) and Belgium’s oldest living woman (Doyenne) met one another in Berlaar, Antwerpen Province, Belgium. Their combined age is 216 years.
Doyenne: Denise Waelbers, born 26 September 1915, aged 109, living in Antwerp Province, Belgium
Doyen: Jozef Kets, born 22 April 1917, aged 107, living in Lier, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Jos Kets (107), originally from Lier, became the oldest man in Belgium following the death of 107-year old Alfons Leempoels (1917-2024) on 22 November 2024, and he was also recognized as the oldest veteran of the country. Denise Waelbers became the oldest living woman in Belgium following the death of 109-year old Fernande Courtoy on 28 May 2024.
On Tuesday 10 December 2024, he was honored in the presence of his fellow residents of the Sint-Augustinus residential care center in Berlaar, the board of aldermen and the oldest woman in Belgium, Denise Waelbers (109). Singer Christoff also paid him a visit.
On 22 April 1917, Jos was born in Lier, a city that is dear to him and to which he remained loyal almost his entire life. He grew up in a time of great change, and the Second World War would mark him in ways he could never have foreseen. Jos is the oldest veteran in Belgium. Something he is very proud of.
In 1937, Jos was called up for his military service in Leuven, in the motorised artillery, a progressive regiment. When the Germans invaded Belgium in May 1940, Jos was immediately mobilised. His unit travelled across the country, from Leuven to Marche in Luxembourg, where they found shelter with civilians.
What frustrated Jos most was that his service and commitment were never officially recognised. “All my papers have disappeared. Brussels, Lier, they have searched everywhere, but I do not exist for the army. How do you explain that? I have experienced everything and yet I do not exist.” But that was finally changed on Tuesday.
The mayor of Lier, Rik Verwaest (N-VA), came to the scene for the occasion to correct the historical injustice. “Jos is not only the oldest man in Belgium, but also the oldest veteran in Belgium. That was not known for a very long time. Jos has always been modest and the documents were lost. One of our historians has confirmed that Jos was called up in 1940 and served in the Belgian army. This injustice is now over”, For Jos, this means finally receiving recognition after all these years. “I am a man of few words, but what I feel now is appreciation. You see, everything in its own time. Although I did have to wait a very long time”, he laughs.
Jos also received a medal from the national NSB (Nationale strijdersbond) chairman Leon De Turck and was able to enjoy his favourite music, Ten Velde, Il Silenzio and The Last Post, which he was visibly moved by. But the biggest surprise was yet to come, because the oldest woman in Belgium, Denise Waelbers (109), made an appearance to meet Jos. Together they are 216 years old.
“It is magnificent to be here today”, says Denise. “A reception like this, that is worth money. I really enjoyed this moment.” Jos remains down-to-earth under the circumstances. “I did not expect to meet Denise, but it gives me great pleasure. I think I am still the second oldest, because Denise is even older. In any case, I never thought I would reach this age”, he laughs. “It is nice to meet each other now. I don’t know if we’ve been through the same thing, but we do have some things in common when it comes to our age,” he continues, laughing.
For Jos and Denise it’s their first meeting. “I’ve been to Mortsel many times, because I’ve always lived in Lier, on the Lisp to be precise, which isn’t far from Mortsel.” The first impression is good. “We get along well. I feel great and Jos is a friendly man,” laughs Denise. “The only thing I’m not going to do anymore is get married,” laughs Jos. One thing is for sure: Jos wants to reach 109, like Denise. “My golden tip has always been that you shouldn’t let anything bother you and that apparently works,” she laughs.
Singer Christoff also came by to congratulate Jos on his special milestone. “It is a special feeling to meet the two oldest people in Belgium together,” says Christoff. “It was nice that the municipality asked, when you see that people really enjoy it, it gives me a lot of satisfaction as an artist and as a person. It is special to be able to experience this.”