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Willems said her husband had aggressive brain cancer
Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Willems has announced that she will temporarily step down from her post to take care of her husband, who has a brain tumor.
Willems, who is also deputy prime minister, has decided to take leave until “the end of the summer” when her family will reassess the situation.
She said she had taken the step “in full consultation with the prime minister”.
For his part, Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo said in a statement that Minister Willems’ decision was “with the greatest respect.”
De Croo added that the minister will not officially resign from the government, and that her powers will be temporarily transferred to other ministers “by royal decree.”
Willems, who served as prime minister from 2019 to 2020, married Australian husband Chris Stone in 2009.
Her husband is a former player at Australian football club St Kilda and has been the vice president of the Belgian branch of the Australian Business Council in Europe since 2012.
The couple have three daughters, but Stone also has a fourth son from a previous relationship.
“A disease has suddenly entered our lives, and specifically my husband Christopher’s disease which – like so many men, women and even children – must begin his battle against fierce brain cancer,” Wilms wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.
“Being a minister requires precision and complete commitment and being available at any time, which will not allow me to provide the help and comfort Christopher and our children need during this difficult time,” she added.
The Belgian prime minister said he would temporarily take over Wilms’ post as foreign minister.
“In adversity like this, the role of wife and mother takes precedence,” de Croo added. “I wish Sophie, Christopher and their children much courage and strength.”