3 weeks Ago
Roosmarie swaps homes with businessman Machiel and his stepdaughter Nathasja. It was a different story to Roosmarie’s humble dwelling in Beerta, Groningen, where she exists on just 110 euros a week – and with an elevator, sauna and indoor heated swimming pool, the couple’s lavish Alphen aan den Rijn villa couldn’t be more different.
The episode presented a week packed with treats — cake for breakfast, snack bar meals, a magician, gifts for the children, and Roosmarie was even given a necklace with her name on it. Overwhelmed by emotion, she said, “To see my children so happy... that would just be worth gold.”
A Troubled History and Hopes for the Future
Rosemarie had a painful start. Placed in multiple foster homes after being taken from her abusive grandparents, she ended up back with her mother, where things went wrong once more. When she was nineteen, she became accidentally pregnant. Later, she had twins by choice with the help of a donor.
Rosemarie now lives with her three children and is getting benefits.
She has never worked before, but she has a dream: to open her own tattoo studio. “My passion is in drawing and tattooing. I wish I could do something with that,” she said hopefully.
Mixed Reactions Online
The episode generated heated reactions on social media. Her not working—she is healthy—bothered many of the viewers. “28 years old, three kids, has never worked … is that normal?” one viewer posted. One said, “Why do work if everything is covered?” Others pointed out that so many mothers are struggling and still doing their best.
Yet some voices expressed sympathy. One said, “She cares about her kids and wants the best for them. Maybe she just needs more support and direction.”
What Comes Next?
As always, Steenrijk, Straatarm illuminates not just financial gaps but also mindset, opportunity, and family life. Clearly, Roosmarie was deeply moved by what her children suffered. But the question for many is: Is this the start of change, or just a brief respite?
I have no idea whether Roosmarie ever actually opened that tattoo shop — but she and the rest of the characters provided us with a lot to ponder.
