 In 2009, because of Pleket's failing health, Pleket quit altogether—at that time, he was performing solo, as "Havenzanger Henk Pleket".Pleket was awarded with knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2003, as was his colleague Willem Mulder.He participated in the Dutch TV show "De Afvallers" in 2007, and died on October 23, 2011 of cancer.