World’s oldest sex workers retire at 70

Martine and Louise Fokkens, identical twin sisters from Amsterdam, have retired from sex work at the age of 70, closing a remarkable chapter as some of the oldest and longest-serving legal sex workers in the Netherlands.

The twins entered the Red Light District’s legal adult industry under different circumstances—Louise at 17, following pressure from her husband, and Martine later, when financial hardship struck the family. Over the next five decades, they became well-known public figures in Amsterdam, gaining recognition not only for their work but also for their distinctive tall leather boots, which became their signature look.

Beyond sex work, the sisters owned a brothel, ran a Dutch restaurant, and frequently shared humorous and unusual stories about their clients, earning them popularity in interviews and documentaries.

Louise retired due to health concerns, while Martine stepped back as business slowed, though she continued to see one longtime client for a period.

Their openness, professionalism, and unique personalities have cemented their place as iconic figures in the history of Amsterdam’s Red Light District.