The Dutch singer will bring an end to her six-decade career this year, pointing to her husband’s health and an increasingly divided atmosphere that has cast a shadow over the Eurovision community.
Lenny Kuhr, one of the most prominent voices in Dutch music and a winner of the Eurovision 1969, has announced her retirement from the music industry. The 75-year-old singer shared the news on her Instagram account, explaining that her decision is primarily due to her husband’s health, but also to what she described as “division” surrounding the cultural climate in recent years.
Sharing the news with a tone of gratitude, Kuhr turned to her followers on Instagram. She wrote:
“Filled with gratitude for such a long life, in love with the muse who always preceded me, I say this with a heavy heart”.
Her outspoken support for Israel has, in recent years, made her a target of criticism and protest, reflecting the broader political divisions that have begun to permeate the Eurovision sphere. According to Kuhr, stepping away from the stage has been a considered decision. She noted that alongside her husband Rob’s health, the atmosphere of division has played a role in her early departure from performing:
“Grateful for all the beauty I was able to share with you here in this country, but where, in addition to Rob‘s health, divisions now play a role in my earlier departure”.
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Kuhr will complete her theatre programme “Licht,” with the final performance scheduled for May.
From Madrid to the Eurovision Record Books
Kuhr began her musical career in 1967 and recorded approximately 25 studio albums between 1969 and 2005. She secured her place in European music history when she represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 in Madrid with the song “De Troubadour”, which she co-wrote.
That year’s contest became one of the most iconic in Eurovision history. For the first time, and for many years the only time, the voting ended in a four-way tie. The Netherlands, Spain, France and the United Kingdom were all declared joint winners, as no tie-breaking rule existed at the time. It marked the Netherlands’ third victory in the competition.
Kuhr also made history as the first woman to write a winning Eurovision entry and the first female winner to accompany herself on an instrument on stage.
Public Controversy in Recent Years
Much of the criticism directed at Kuhr followed her public support for Israel, which placed her at odds with activists amid the increasingly polarised climate surrounding Eurovision. Kuhr, who converted to Judaism and lived in Israel for several years, has maintained close ties to the country. Her two daughters currently reside in Israel with their families, and some of her grandchildren serve in the Israeli army. Over the years, she has consistently spoken publicly in support of Israel and has not shied away from expressing her views.
In recent years, Kuhr has found herself at the centre of public debate. In March 2024, one of her performances was disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators who stormed the event and reportedly called her “murderer” and “terrorist.”
Amid controversy surrounding Israel participation in the contest, Kuhr addressed the debate in an interview with Dutch radio, stating:
I find it incomprehensible and very sad. Art is a way to connect people, and when you boycott Israel – you deny that possibility and take an aggressive stance. If Israel is not allowed to participate, then as an artist – I would not want to participate either”.
She added:
“I love Eurovision, it has been a part of me for decades, and what is happening now hurts me deeply. My greatest wish is – let art remain free, don’t interfere with it”.
Now, after a career spanning six decades, from the historic stage in Madrid to a lifetime in music, Kuhr has chosen to step away from performing, citing both personal circumstances and a climate of division that has shaped the contest in recent years.
The Netherlands at Eurovision 2025
“C’est La Vie” is the title of the song performed by Claude, who represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025. The Netherlands qualified for the Grand Final after placing third in the first semi-final with 121 points. In the Grand Final, the Netherlands finished in 12th place with 175 points, with the jury awarding the country fifth place, but the public at home ranking it only 15th.
This year, the Netherlands participated in the Grand Final after two years of missing out. In 2023, Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper failed to qualify from the semi-final, while in 2024, Joost Klein was disqualified after the semi-final due to a violent incident involving the competition’s production team.
Eurovision 2025: This was the Netherlands’ 65th participation in Eurovision. The Netherlands joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. The Netherlands’ last victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.
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