About Wim Polak
Lived 1924 – 1999 (aged 75). Wim Polak was a Dutch politician, economist and journalist.
Willem "Wim" Polak (14 September 1924 – 1 October 1999) was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA) and economist.
Biography Polak was born to a Jewish merchant family in Amsterdam on 14 September 1924. His parents were murdered by the Nazis during the German Occupation of the Netherlands. After the Second World War, he worked as a journalist for Het Vrije Volk. Polak was appointed Secretary of State for local finances in Joop den Uyl's government. He worked towards improving the financial position of the larger Dutch cities. Subsequently, he became mayor of Amsterdam for a six-year period, where his challenges included numerous squatting cases as well as riots related to Queen Beatrix's coronation.
He died in 1999 at his home in Ilpendam.
Decorations
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Wim Polak's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Wim Polak's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Wim Polak?
mayor of Amsterdam (1924-1999)
When was Wim Polak born?
Wim Polak was born on 14 September 1924 in Amsterdam.
When did Wim Polak die?
Wim Polak died on 1 October 1999 in Ilpendam.
What was Wim Polak's occupation?
Wim Polak was a politician, economist and journalist.
What nationality was Wim Polak?
Wim Polak was Dutch.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Wim Polak. https://biography.guide/wim-polak/
MLA: "Wim Polak." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/wim-polak/.
Chicago: "Wim Polak." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/wim-polak/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:05 UTC