WILLEMSTAD - The Dutch millionaire, entrepreneur and philanthropist Jacob Gelt Dekker has passed away, publisher Liesbeth Heenk of Amsterdam Publishers confirms Sunday.

According to her, Gelt Dekker died on Sunday at the age of 71 in his house on Key West in the American state of Florida. According to Heenk, he had been suffering from cancer for years. Last week was his last treatment.

Gelt Dekker once started as a dentist but became an entrepreneur. He earned his money with franchises from Budget Autoverhuur, KwikFit and One Hour Super Photo. He has written several books, including Breast Cancer - A Personal Story, Pot of Gold and The Caribbean, his latest book.

Gelt Dekker invested more than 50 million in Curaçao. He had the Otrabanda district refurbished and built, among other things, a slavery museum and a study and conference center. He also founded the hotel village of Kura Hulanda and various restaurants. He spoke critically about the politicians on the island.

He regularly portrayed them in the media as criminal and incompetent. Something that did not thank him. on which he fled Curaçao "out of fear of threats".

Gelt Dekker owns houses in Curaçao and in Amsterdam, New York and Key West (Florida).

Gelt Dekker was also a major support during Curaçao Chronicle’s early years. He offered support by lending one of the units in Kura Hulanda for the small staff to work. He was also constantly pending of the developments of the website and offered constant advice. His regular opinion column attracted thousands of readers and helped Curaçao Chronicle become what it is now.

Goodbye Jacob, we will miss you!