Rudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 4 November 1982 until 22 August 1994. A businessman and economist by occupation, Lubbers was a corporate director with Hollandia Corporate from 1965 until 1973 when he left to become Minister of Economic Affairs from 11 May 1973 until 19 December 1977 in the Cabinet den Uyl. He became a Member of the House of Representatives from 22 December 1977 until 4 November 1982. Originally a member of the Catholic People's Party, since 1980 he has been a member of the CDA. When CDA parliamentary leader Wim Aantjes resigned due to a World War II controversy, Lubbers succeed him and served from 7 November 1978 until 4 November 1982. When CDA party leader and sitting Prime Minister Dries van Agt announced his retirement, Lubbers was chosen to succeed him and became Prime Minister. The longest-tenured Prime Minister in Dutch history, he headed the Cabinets Lubbers I, II and III. Lubbers was regarded by many during his time in office as an ideological heir to Margaret Thatcher. 

May 7th, 1939 in Rotterdam  /  Died:   Feb 14th, 2018