Sonja Barend

Biography

Sonja Maria Barend (29 February 1940 – 11 April 2026) was a Dutch television personality. She hosted one of the nation’s first talk shows, Sonja, in 1974–1975. From 1977, she developed her style and became the Dutch "talk show queen", attracting millions of viewers. She was noted for her combination of emotional warmth and sharp questioning – until then unheard of on Dutch tv. Her shows broke taboos and allowed ordinary people a voice in public dialog. She retired from television in 2006, after four decades of television making.

Known For

VD

as Tania

Wedden, dat..?

as Self

De Zaak Braun

Joost Zwagerman - Voor Alles Bang Geweest

as Self (archive footage)

RTL Tonight

as Self (Archive footage)

80 VARA Toppers!

as Self

Sonja Barend - Vragen zonder antwoord

as Self

De nacht van Sonja

as Self (archive footage)

Trouble in Paradise

as Redactrice

Ellen Blazer: Schitteren in de Schaduw

as Self