Donkers was born in
Amsterdam and grew up in
Amsterdam-Noord. He studied sociology at the
University of Amsterdam and served on the editorial staff of
Propria Cures between 1965 and 1966. His nickname "Gonzo" referred to the style of
gonzo journalism associated with
Hunter S. Thompson. As an author, Donkers made his prose debut with
Opgeruimde verhalen in 1973. From 1974, he was a co-editor of
De Revisor. His books included
Amerika, Amerika (1982) and the novel
Donkeyville USA (1994). He also wrote
Zo dicht bij Amsterdam, a journalistic book about Amsterdam-Noord, and translated work by
F. Scott Fitzgerald. He also contributed to publications including
De Groene Amsterdammer,
Haagse Post and
Nieuwe Revu. Later in his career, Donkers recorded more than 100 audiobooks. He continued broadcasting into his eighties; after leaving VPRO, his final radio programme was ''Gonzo's Return'' on NH Gooi. ==References==