Herman Tjeenk Willink

Herman Diederik Tjeenk Willink (born 23 January 1942) is a retired Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA) and jurist. He was granted the honorary title of Minister of State on 21 December 2012.

His Excellency Herman Tjeenk Willink
Herman Tjeenk Willink in 1985
Vice-President of the Council of State
In office 1 July 1997 – 1 February 2012
Monarch	Beatrix
Preceded by	Willem Scholten
Succeeded by	Piet Hein Donner
President of the Senate
In office 11 June 1991 – 11 March 1997
Preceded by	Piet Steenkamp
Succeeded by	Frits Korthals Altes
Member of the Senate
In office 23 June 1987 – 11 March 1997
Parliamentary group	Labour Party
Personal details
Born	Herman Diederik Tjeenk Willink (1942-01-23) 23 January 1942 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Political party	Labour Party (from 1966)
Residence	The Hague, Netherlands
Alma mater	Leiden University (Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws)
Occupation	Politician · Civil servant · Jurist · Judge · Researcher · Businessman · Corporate director · Nonprofit director · Professor

Tjeenk Willink served as a Member of the Senate from 23 June 1987 until 11 March 1997 and served as President of the Senate from 11 June 1991 until 11 March 1997. He resigned both positions when he was selected as the Vice-President of the Council of State taking office on 1 July 1997 and therefore the most important advisor to Queen Beatrix during that time.