Emile Ratelband, a 75-year-old former Dutch politician and motivational speaker, attempted to legally change his age to 20 years younger after facing rejection on the dating app Tinder. At the time of his legal bid, Ratelband was 69 and claimed that being younger would improve his dating prospects and overall opportunities in life. He argued that in a society where individuals can change their names and genders, he should be allowed to alter his age as well.
Ratelband’s campaign to legally change his age drew significant attention and controversy, particularly for his comparison to the transgender community. He insisted that his age change request was a matter of personal freedom and self-identification. Despite his efforts and public statements, a Dutch court ruled against his request in December 2018. The judge highlighted the legal and societal implications of altering one’s age on official documents, noting that many laws and rights are age-dependent.
The court acknowledged Ratelband’s freedom to feel and act younger than his actual age but maintained that changing his legal age would cause numerous complications. This decision underscored the complexities and potential consequences of redefining legal age parameters. Ratelband’s case, while unsuccessful, sparked discussions about identity, legal definitions, and the limits of personal autonomy.
