Identical twins Martine and Louise Fokkens, recognized as the world’s oldest sex workers, retired at age 70 after nearly five decades in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The sisters shared insights into their experiences, including unusual client encounters and the challenges that led to their decision to step away from the profession.
Entering the Red Light District
Growing up in a modest household in Amsterdam, the twins were familiar with the city’s renowned Red Light District from a young age. It formed a normal part of their surroundings rather than a hidden underworld. Louise entered the industry at 17, encouraged by her husband to try it out. Soon after, she stood in one of the district’s iconic display windows, where workers advertise their services.
Her family discovered her involvement and urged her twin, Martine, to intervene. However, Louise stood firm. “As if you can tell your twin what to do,” she stated. “We never listened to anyone.”
Martine joined a few years later. Initially working as a cleaner in a brothel while raising a family, she faced financial strain when her husband’s job ended during a builders’ strike. Clients often approached her, but she declined until necessity pushed her forward. Having her sister already established made the transition easier. “Without her I would never have done it,” Martine explained. “But with her it felt less frightening.” After guidance from fellow workers, she quickly began working in the windows.
Career Milestones and Memorable Encounters
Over their careers, the twins estimate they served around 355,000 clients combined. Known as the oldest window workers in the Netherlands, they owned a brothel and a traditional Dutch restaurant. Their signature thigh-high leather boots became iconic, with clients paying extra to have them removed.
The sisters recounted bizarre client stories that highlighted the industry’s quirks. One memorable encounter involved a man who fantasized about a ‘filthy little gnome’ wife, trembling with excitement at the role-play. In another incident, a client attempted to leave without paying and abandoned his prosthetic leg. The twins stored it in a cupboard until he returned to settle the bill.
Reasons for Retirement and One Enduring Client
Health issues and declining business prompted their retirement. Louise’s arthritis made certain positions too painful, while Martine noted fewer clients. Despite stepping away years ago, Martine maintained a connection with one long-time regular. The elderly man relied on weekly S&M sessions, and she felt unable to end the arrangement. “He’s been coming to me for so long,” she said. “It’s like going to church on a Sunday.”
