Haya van Someren

Haya Victoria van Someren-Downer (born Gerarda Victoria Downer; 5 July 1926 – 12 November 1980) was a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). She was a Member of the House of Representatives from 20 March 1959 until 1 October 1968. She was the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Party chair from 29 March 1969 until 15 March 1975. She became a Member of the Senate on 17 September 1974 and on 5 June 1976 she succeeded Harm van Riel as the Parliamentary leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy in the Senate after he retired. She died on 12 November 1980 from cancer at the age of 54.