Sonja Barend, the Dutch television presenter and talk show host, died on April 11, 2026, in Amsterdam.
Born in Amsterdam on February 29, 1940, she worked in television from 1966 and from the late 1970s presented her own weekly VARA talk show, Sonja, which was noted for breaking taboos and giving ordinary people a voice in public discussion. Barend retired from television in 2006 after four decades of television making.
Sonja Maria Barend (29 February 1940 – 11 April 2026) was a Dutch television personality and talk show host. Her talk show Sonja, which she presented since the 1970s, was noted for breaking taboos and allowing ordinary people a voice in public dialog. She retired from television in 2006, after four decades of television making.