The term “sex bomb,” a combination of the words sex and bomb, came into use in the 1950s to describe a stereotype of young women with strong sexual appeal or pronounced feminine curves.
A slightly more polite term for this phenomenon is “sex symbol.” Well-known international sex symbols include Brigitte Bardot, Jayne Mansfield, and Marilyn Monroe.
But the Netherlands also has its own sex symbols who have gained national fame. Here’s an overview of the top 10 Dutch sex symbols:
Tatjana Šimić
Tatjana Šimić earned her status as a sex symbol through her role as the seductive daughter Kees in the “Flodder” film series.
She starred in one of the most iconic scenes in Dutch cinema history with the line “Oh, neighbor, what are you doing now?”
Tatjana appeared in Playboy no less than twelve times, which is a Dutch record. She also released her popular Bavaria calendar annually and scored several hits as a singer.
Monique van de Ven
Monique van de Ven made a stunning debut as Olga in the film “Turkish Delight” in the 1970s.
The film made many hearts beat faster and included multiple nude scenes that confirmed her status as a sex symbol. After this role, she starred in several other films in which her sensuality played a central role.
Patricia Paay
Patricia Paay is now mostly known as a talent show judge, but since the early 1970s she has been a well-known Dutch celebrity, initially as a singer.
In 1984, she posed nude in Playboy for the first time. She repeated this in 1996 and again in 2009 when she was 60 years old, making her the oldest model ever featured in Playboy.
Leontien Ruiters
Leontien Ruiters, who many remember from her time as the letter-turner on “Wheel of Fortune,” is now known as Marco Borsato’s ex-wife. Her charm and appearance quickly made her a sex symbol in the Netherlands.
Sylvia Kristel
Sylvia Kristel became a global sex symbol through her role as Emmanuelle in the film series of the same name. These soft-erotic films became hugely popular and brought Sylvia international fame.
She sadly passed away in 2012 at the age of 60, but her legacy as a sex symbol lives on.
Monique Sluyter
Monique Sluyter began her career on Italian television in the erotic program “Tutti Frutti.” Later she hosted the show “Erotica” in the Netherlands and appeared in Playboy several times.
Her striking appearance and charm made her one of the Dutch sex symbols.
Kim Holland
Kim Holland, the Netherlands’ most famous porn actress, definitely deserves a spot on this list of sex symbols. While opinions about her looks may vary, her prominent role in the Dutch adult industry earned her a place among the country’s most recognizable sex icons.
Katja Schuurman
In the 1990s, all of the Netherlands was obsessed with Linda, Roos, and Jessica from “Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden,” with Jessica, played by Katja Schuurman, being the most popular.
In 2002, Katja appeared nude in the film “Oysters at Nam Kee’s” and was featured in Playboy for the first time, confirming her status as a sex symbol.
Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes is a source of national pride as a Victoria’s Secret model. As a successful supermodel, she is desired by men around the world. Her international career and striking beauty have made her one of the most famous sex symbols in the Netherlands.
Sylvie Meis
Sylvie Meis, known for her work as a TV host and model, has strong appeal and is often mentioned as one of the sex symbols of the Netherlands. Her glamorous appearance and international fame contribute to her status as a sex symbol.
