Lucille Werner knows how to inspire people and has a great sense of humor. Her talk offers insight into a life that may appear to involve a disadvantage. In reality, it is a source of strength. Her talk encourages the audience to reflect and motivates them to get the most out of life.
Education
After completing secondary school, Lucille chose to pursue a higher professional education degree in PR and Communications. During her studies, she was introduced to the world of television for the first time. After graduating, she started working as an editor and reporter for Showtime.
Television Career
In 1996, Joop van den Ende gave Lucille the opportunity to make her presenting debut on Actueel Shownieuws. She subsequently appeared on RTL 4 in The Big Entertainment Club, Zomerkampioen, Henny’s Houseparty, and Puzzeltijd. In 2001, Lucille moved to AVRO, where she presented programs including Alle Dieren Tellen Mee and Get the Picture. In 2005, Lucille joined TROS and appeared as the presenter of Lingo for the first time. She remained the face of the programme for no less than nine years.
In 2015, she presented the game show Pointless for AVROTROS before moving to SBS6 in 2016. There, she presented Mijn Laatste Keer and the Mis(s) Verkiezing. Lucille also regularly appeared on Koffietijd and 5 uur Live on RTL 4. On 1 January 2019, she signed a contract with KRO-NCRV and returned to public broadcasting. Her first program at KRO-NCRV was Minister van Gehandicaptenzaken.
The Lucille Werner Foundation
In 2006, Lucille Werner founded the Lucille Werner Foundation to positively influence the public perception of people with disabilities. She developed various television formats, including the Mis(s) Verkiezing in 2006 and 2007, in which women with disabilities competed for the title of Mis(s) Onbeperkt Nederland. In 2008 and 2009, she organized the CAPawards, an awards show for people who do not see their disability as a limitation in their work, sport, or hobbies, including a youth edition called Cappies.
Lucille also developed the children's series Caps Club, in which children with disabilities played the leading roles. Three series were broadcast between 2013 and 2016. The Mis(s) Verkiezing returned to television in 2017 after a ten-year absence. In 2019, Lucille created the new format Minister van Gehandicaptenzaken, in which six ministerial candidates remained after an extensive selection process. During a live show, the Dutch public chose the Minister of Disability Affairs, who would advocate for people with disabilities.
Awards
All of the programs mentioned above contribute to a positive representation of people with disabilities. Through her foundation, Lucille is passionately committed to achieving this goal. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2010, Lucille was appointed a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau. In 2011, she received the Martin Luther King Award, and in 2012, the Majoor Bosshardt Prize.
Pioneer for Inclusive Media
On 1 September 2026, Lucille Werner joined AVROTROS as Pioneer for Inclusive Media. She is committed to media content in which people can recognise themselves, feel represented, and participate fully. In this way, she aims to contribute to a strong, future-oriented, and diverse public broadcaster that reflects society in all its diversity.
