Identical twins Martine and Louise Fokkens have shared the remarkable reality of their lives as what were once considered the world's oldest sex workers, having only retired from their profession when they reached seventy years of age. The pair have offered unprecedented insight into working within Amsterdam's famous Red Light District, detailing a career that spanned approximately five decades.
A Life in the Windows of Amsterdam
After many decades of work within the sex industry, the identical twins Martine and Louise Fokkens have candidly discussed their professional lives. They have recounted experiences with some of their most unusual clients, including encounters with gnome-obsessed fantasists and even brushes with royalty. The twins have completely dispelled any sense of shame regarding their client numbers, claiming to have serviced an astonishing three hundred and fifty-five thousand men between them over their extensive careers.
They were famously known as the "oldest window girls in Holland" and were widely regarded as the "world's oldest sex workers" before both decided to retire at seventy. Their combined experience totalled around fifty years in the industry. The sisters owned their own brothel, as well as a traditional Dutch restaurant, and became recognisable for their signature thigh-high leather boots. They would charge a significant premium for any client who specifically requested the removal of these boots.
The Practicalities of Ageing in the Profession
Louise openly admitted that her developing arthritis made certain physical positions increasingly painful to maintain. Martine cited a noticeable decline in business as a key factor in their decision to finally stop working. Recalling some of their most memorable stories, they described one particularly bizarre encounter with a self-proclaimed 'filthy little gnome'. This client was reportedly shaking with excitement at the mere thought of his imagined 'dirty little gnome' wife appearing before him.
On another occasion, the twins recounted a client who attempted to run away without paying his fee, only to leave his prosthetic leg behind in his haste. The pragmatic sisters decided to lock the leg away in a cupboard until the man eventually returned to settle his debt and reclaim his property.
Early Beginnings in the Dutch Capital
The pair grew up in Amsterdam within a poor household where money was consistently tight. From a young age, they were aware of the city's famous Red Light District, viewing it simply as a normal part of urban life rather than the seedy, dark world that many outsiders assume it to be.
Louise first entered the world of sex work when she was introduced to it by her husband at the tender age of seventeen. She stated she was effectively "pushed" into "just trying it out," and moments later found herself standing in one of Amsterdam's many Red Light District display windows. These booths allow sex workers to advertise their services directly to the public.
Family Reactions and Sisterly Support
Louise never claimed the career choice was originally her own idea and was aware her family might view her differently. She initially remained tight-lipped about her work, but her family eventually discovered the truth and instructed her twin sister, Martine, to intervene and put a stop to it. Despite this pressure, Louise refused to quit. She later told reporters, "As if you can tell your twin what to do, we never listened to anyone."
Martine's own career began several years after Louise's, once she was settled with a husband and children. She was working as a cleaner in a brothel and said she was frequently asked by clients if she would join them. She always declined these offers initially.
However, after her husband lost his job during a builder's strike, the family faced severe financial hardship. Under immense pressure to generate income, and with her sister already established in the sex work industry, Martine found the prospect "a lot less intimidating." She reflected, "Without her I would never have done it. But with her it felt less frightening." After receiving guidance from other workers at the brothel, Martine was soon positioned in a window herself.
One Client They Could Not Abandon
Although they retired several years ago, Martine revealed there was one regular client she simply could not give up. The elderly gentleman was reportedly addicted to his weekly S&M sessions, and she felt compelled to continue seeing him. "He's been coming to me for so long, it's like going to church on a Sunday," she explained at the time, highlighting the ritualistic and enduring nature of some client relationships within the profession.
