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Mark Rutte

Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician who has served as Secretary General of NATO since October 2024.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician who has served as Secretary General of NATO since October 2024. He previously served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024 and led the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from 2006 to 2023. He is the longest-serving prime minister in Dutch history.

Early life and education

Mark Rutte was born in The Hague on 14 February 1967. He studied history at Leiden University, where he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Political career

Rutte became leader of the VVD in 2006 and later served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024. During that period, he led several coalition governments and became the country's longest-serving prime minister.

NATO Secretary General

Rutte took office as Secretary General of NATO on 1 October 2024. He succeeded Jens Stoltenberg in the role.

Key facts

  • Rutte became NATO Secretary General on 1 October 2024.
  • He was Prime Minister of the Netherlands for almost 14 years, from October 2010 to July 2024.
  • He led the centre-right liberal VVD from 2006 to 2023.
  • He is the longest-serving prime minister in Dutch history.
  • He studied at Leiden University.
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Canadian context

As NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte is relevant to Canada through Canada’s role as a NATO member and its participation in alliance security and defence policy.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mark Rutte?
Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician and the Secretary General of NATO, a role he has held since October 2024.
How long has Mark Rutte been prime minister?
He was Prime Minister of the Netherlands from October 2010 to July 2024, for almost 14 years.
What party does Mark Rutte belong to?
He belongs to the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
How old is Mark Rutte?
Born on 14 February 1967, he is 59 years old as of 23 July 2026.
What is Mark Rutte's education?
He studied history at Leiden University and received both a BA and an MA.
Is Mark Rutte still prime minister?
No. He left the Dutch prime ministership in July 2024 and became NATO Secretary General in October 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rutte
    Supports: Birth date, political career, party affiliation, education, and office history.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mark-Rutte
    Supports: Biography, prime ministership dates, party affiliation, and age.
  3. NATO — https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/organization/who-we-are/nato-secretaries-general/mark-rutte
    Supports: Appointment as NATO Secretary General and service as Dutch prime minister from 2010 to 2024.