Ben Saunders was a Dutch singer and tattoo artist who became a major television personality after winning the first season of The Voice of Holland in 2011. Born on July 9, 1983, in London, England, Saunders moved to the Netherlands as a young child and later grew up in Hoorn. He became widely known for his powerful voice, extensive tattoos and distinctive appearance, earning the nickname “Tattoo Ben.”
Saunders had already been involved in music before his breakthrough on television. He performed with his brother Dean Saunders in the group Follow That Dream and later competed with him in the Dutch national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. His career changed dramatically when he auditioned for The Voice of Holland with Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” eventually becoming the first winner of the Dutch edition of the international singing competition.
Beyond music, Saunders built a parallel career as a professional tattoo artist and continued working in the tattoo industry for many years. His death in September 2026 at the age of 43 brought renewed attention to his life, music career and contribution to the early history of The Voice franchise. His family and former colleagues publicly mourned his death while authorities confirmed that there was no indication of foul play.
Ben Saunders’s Early Life
Ben Saunders was born on July 9, 1983, in London, England, to English parents. He moved with his family to the Netherlands when he was three years old and grew up in Hoorn. He was the younger brother of Dean Saunders, who would later also pursue a career in music and television. The brothers developed their interest in performing from a young age.
Ben and Dean Saunders began entering talent competitions during their youth. They participated in early television projects and appeared together in the late 1990s before becoming members of the group Follow That Dream. Their shared musical experiences gave Ben an early opportunity to perform publicly and develop his confidence as a singer.
Music remained an important part of Saunders’s life as he grew older, but he also developed an interest in tattooing. Before becoming nationally famous, he worked as a tattoo artist and eventually became known professionally as Tattoo Ben because of his extensive body art and career in the tattoo industry. His combination of music and tattooing later became an important part of his public identity.
Ben Saunders’s Education
Ben Saunders grew up and received his formative education in the Netherlands after moving there from England as a young child. Unlike some performers whose academic backgrounds are extensively documented, detailed information about his schools and formal educational qualifications is not widely available in the public record.
His teenage years were strongly influenced by his interest in music and performance. He and his brother participated in talent competitions and musical projects while they were still young, giving him practical experience in entertainment alongside his everyday education.
Saunders ultimately developed his professional skills through experience rather than becoming known for a particular university degree or academic qualification. His musical development came largely through performing, recording and participating in television competitions, while his work as a tattoo artist developed through years of practice in the profession.
Ben Saunders’s Career
Ben Saunders began his music career before his major television breakthrough. In 2000, he and his brother Dean joined the pop group Follow That Dream after appearing on the RTL 4 program Alles voor de band. The group released its self titled single in November 2000, which reached No. 25 on the Dutch Top 40 before the group eventually split.
In 2003, Saunders and his brother entered the Dutch national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest under the name The Brothers. They performed “Stand As One” but finished seventh in their heat. Although the attempt did not lead to Eurovision success, it represented another stage in Saunders’s development as a professional performer.
Saunders achieved his major breakthrough in 2010 when he auditioned for the first season of The Voice of Holland. His blind audition performance of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” immediately attracted attention from the coaches and viewers. He joined Roel van Velzen’s team and progressed through the competition, eventually reaching the final.
On January 21, 2011, Saunders won the inaugural season of The Voice of Holland with 59 percent of the public vote. His winning single, “Kill for a Broken Heart,” became a major Dutch hit and reached No. 1 on the Dutch Single Top 100. His debut album, You Thought You Knew Me By Now, was released in April 2011 and reached No. 1 on the Dutch Album Top 100. He also won several awards during the same period, including an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Dutch Act.
Following his television success, Saunders released his second album, Heart & Soul, in 2012 and continued performing and recording music. He later returned to television projects and appeared on De Beste Zangers in 2014 and Avastars in 2023. At the same time, he continued his work as a tattoo artist, eventually operating a tattoo studio in Arnhem and maintaining a career that combined music with tattooing.
Ben Saunders Was Found Dead at 43 in a Recreational Lake Near Arnhem
Ben Saunders died on September 15, 2026, at the age of 43. His body was found at Rijkerswoerdse Plassen, a recreational lake near Arnhem, after a search operation was launched. Dutch police confirmed that there was no indication of foul play, but authorities did not publicly disclose the cause of death.
Saunders’s death was confirmed by his family, who asked the media and public to respect their privacy while they dealt with the loss. His fiancée Janita and members of his family expressed their grief publicly, while his brother Dean Saunders shared an emotional tribute on social media.
The death attracted widespread attention because Saunders had been the first winner of The Voice of Holland, the original Dutch edition of the international The Voice franchise. His victory in 2011 helped establish him as one of the most recognizable early figures associated with the format. Tributes also came from former coach Marco Borsato and other members of the Dutch entertainment community.
Ben Saunders’s Cause of Death and Death
Ben Saunders died on September 15, 2026, in the Netherlands. He was 43 years old. His body was discovered at Rijkerswoerdse Plassen near Arnhem after authorities conducted a search.
Police stated that there was no indication that Saunders was the victim of a crime. However, no official cause of death had been released as of September 17, 2026. As a result, claims about the specific circumstances or medical cause of his death remain unconfirmed.
His death was followed by public tributes from his family, former colleagues and fans. His family requested privacy, while a public opportunity for fans to pay their respects was announced at the tattoo studio where Saunders had worked.
Ben Saunders’s Personal Life
Ben Saunders was engaged to Janita Engels, with whom he shared a family. The couple had a son named Benji, who was nine years old at the time of Saunders’s death. Saunders also had children from previous relationships, including daughter Stacey and bonusdaughter Nikia. His family remained an important part of his life, particularly in his later years.
Saunders had a strong connection to tattooing and built much of his professional life around the craft. He worked as a tattoo artist for more than 25 years and became closely associated with the tattoo community in the Netherlands. He and members of his family were connected to tattoo businesses, including the Arnhem based Craftmans Tattoo.
Saunders was also closely connected to his brother Dean, with whom he had shared musical experiences from childhood. Their careers included television talent competitions and the group Follow That Dream. Dean later became the winner of the Dutch edition of Popstars in 2011, just one day after Ben won the first season of The Voice of Holland.
Ben Saunders’s Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Ben Saunders was born on July 9, 1983, and died on September 15, 2026, at the age of 43. He was born in London, England, and moved to the Netherlands when he was three years old.
Saunders was Dutch and was raised in the Netherlands after spending his earliest years in England. Reliable public biographical information about his religious beliefs is limited, so no specific religion can be confidently attributed to him.
His exact height is not reliably documented in widely available biographical records. Saunders was particularly recognizable because of his extensive tattoos, including tattoos on his head, neck, arms and hands. His heavily tattooed appearance became one of the defining elements of his public image and contributed to his nickname, Tattoo Ben.
Ben Saunders’s Net Worth
Ben Saunders earned income from several areas of entertainment and creative work. His music career generated revenue through album sales, singles, performances, royalties and television appearances, particularly following his victory on The Voice of Holland.
His work as a professional tattoo artist provided another long term source of income. Saunders had more than two decades of experience in tattooing and operated within the tattoo business in Arnhem. This second career allowed him to continue earning professionally even after the peak of his music career.
Saunders’s exact net worth was not publicly verified before his death. Considering his television success, music releases, performances, royalties, awards and long career as a tattoo artist, his net worth can reasonably be estimated at approximately $1 million to $3 million. This is an estimate based on his professional career rather than a confirmed financial statement.
Ben Saunders’s Legacy
Ben Saunders’s most significant legacy is his place in the history of The Voice franchise. By winning the first season of The Voice of Holland in 2011, he became the first winner of the television format that would later be adapted in numerous countries around the world.
His victory also produced immediate commercial success. “Kill for a Broken Heart” reached the top of the Dutch singles chart, while his debut album You Thought You Knew Me By Now reached No. 1 in the Netherlands. His success demonstrated how the emerging television format could turn a contestant into a nationally recognized recording artist.
Beyond music, Saunders left a legacy through his work as a tattoo artist and through his family connections to Dutch entertainment. His distinctive appearance, powerful voice and combination of music and tattooing made him a recognizable figure in Dutch popular culture. Following his death in 2026, tributes from his family, former coach and fans highlighted the lasting impression he made on people around him.
Conclusion
Ben Saunders was a Dutch singer and tattoo artist whose career changed dramatically after he became the first winner of The Voice of Holland in 2011. His success produced chart topping music, awards and a national profile, while his decades of work as a tattoo artist gave him a second professional identity. His death at 43 in September 2026 marked the loss of a performer who had played an important role in the early history of The Voice franchise and remained connected to both music and tattoo culture throughout his life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ben Saunders
Who was Ben Saunders?
Ben Saunders was a Dutch singer and tattoo artist who became famous after winning the first season of The Voice of Holland in 2011.
How old was Ben Saunders when he died?
Ben Saunders was 43 years old when he died on September 15, 2026.
When was Ben Saunders born?
Ben Saunders was born on July 9, 1983.
Where was Ben Saunders born?
Ben Saunders was born in London, England.
What was Ben Saunders famous for?
Ben Saunders was best known for winning the first season of The Voice of Holland in 2011 and for his hit song “Kill for a Broken Heart.”
Did Ben Saunders win The Voice?
Yes. Ben Saunders won the inaugural season of The Voice of Holland in 2011 with 59 percent of the public vote.
What song did Ben Saunders sing during his The Voice audition?
Ben Saunders auditioned for The Voice of Holland with “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon.
Who coached Ben Saunders on The Voice of Holland?
Ben Saunders was coached by Roel van Velzen during the first season of The Voice of Holland.
What was Ben Saunders’s biggest song?
One of Ben Saunders’s biggest songs was “Kill for a Broken Heart,” which reached No. 1 on the Dutch Single Top 100.
What was Ben Saunders’s first album?
Ben Saunders released his debut album, You Thought You Knew Me By Now, in April 2011. The album reached No. 1 on the Dutch Album Top 100.
Did Ben Saunders have a brother?
Yes. Ben Saunders had an older brother named Dean Saunders, who was also a singer and television talent show winner.
Who was Ben Saunders’s partner?
Ben Saunders was engaged to Janita Engels. They had a son together named Benji.
Did Ben Saunders have children?
Yes. Ben Saunders had children, including his son Benji and daughter Stacey, as well as a bonusdaughter named Nikia.
What did Ben Saunders do besides singing?
Ben Saunders was also a professional tattoo artist. He worked in the tattoo industry for more than 25 years and was known by the nickname Tattoo Ben.
Where did Ben Saunders work as a tattoo artist?
Ben Saunders worked as a tattoo artist in the Netherlands and was associated with Craftmans Tattoo in Arnhem.
What was Ben Saunders’s nickname?
Ben Saunders was widely known as “Tattoo Ben” because of his extensive tattoos and his career as a tattoo artist.
When did Ben Saunders die?
Ben Saunders died on September 15, 2026, at the age of 43.
Where was Ben Saunders found dead?
Ben Saunders was found dead at Rijkerswoerdse Plassen, a recreational lake near Arnhem in the Netherlands.
What was Ben Saunders’s cause of death?
The official cause of Ben Saunders’s death had not been publicly disclosed as of September 17, 2026. Dutch police stated that there was no indication of foul play.
Was Ben Saunders’s death a crime?
Police reported that there was no indication of foul play in connection with Ben Saunders’s death.
What was Ben Saunders’s nationality?
Ben Saunders was Dutch. He was born in London, England, and moved to the Netherlands when he was three years old.
What was Ben Saunders’s religion?
Ben Saunders’s religion was not reliably documented in publicly available biographical information.
How tall was Ben Saunders?
Ben Saunders’s exact height was not reliably documented in publicly available biographical information.
What was Ben Saunders’s net worth?
Ben Saunders’s exact net worth was not publicly verified. Based on his music career, television success, royalties, performances and long career as a tattoo artist, his net worth can be estimated at approximately $1 million to $3 million.
What happened to Ben Saunders in 2026?
Ben Saunders died on September 15, 2026, after his body was found at a recreational lake near Arnhem in the Netherlands. Police ruled out indications of foul play, while the cause of death remained undisclosed.
What is Ben Saunders remembered for?
Ben Saunders is remembered primarily as the first winner of The Voice of Holland, his successful song “Kill for a Broken Heart,” his music career and his more than 25 years of work as a tattoo artist.