As Curaçao approaches November, the nation prepares to bid farewell to a remarkable figure: Her Excellency Lucille George-Wout, Governor of Curaçao since 2013. On 17 September 2025, she formally said goodbye to King Willem-Alexander, marking the beginning of her final weeks in office. Until her departure, she will handle only the current affairs of her office.

Governor George-Wout will be remembered as a woman of character, competence, and faith. She was not merely a head of state in the constitutional sense, but a true guardian of Curaçao’s democracy. In the most challenging of moments, she stood firm—most notably when she prevented an attempted coup without the use of force. That action alone secured her place in history as a steady hand in turbulent times.

But beyond the headlines and the crises, she embodied something more: the image of Curaçao as a nation capable of combining dignity with resilience. Her leadership was maternal in the best sense—protective, wise, and rooted in a deep belief in the values that underpin our democracy.

As she prepares to close this important chapter, Curaçao owes her gratitude. She served not for personal ambition, but as a “Moeder-Hoeder,” a motherly guardian, ensuring that the foundation of our democratic system remained intact.

Governor George-Wout’s tenure reminds us that leadership is not about power but about service. In saying farewell, we also commit ourselves to safeguard the principles she defended. Curaçao is stronger today because of her steadfastness.

Thank you, Governor.