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                                  Exhibit C(6)


                                                    April 27, 2001

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
720 East Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Gentlemen:

         This opinion is furnished in connection with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6, Registration No. 333-59103, of
Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account. The prospectus included in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 ("Prospectus") describes the Flexible Premium
Variable Joint Life Insurance Policy to be issued in connection with the Account
("Policy"). The Policy form was prepared under my direction, and I am familiar
with the Registration Statement and Exhibits thereto. In my opinion:

1.       The illustrations of death benefits, policy values, cash values and
         accumulated premiums included in Exhibit A(5)(I) of the Registration
         Statement, as amended, based on the assumptions stated in the
         illustrations, are consistent with the provisions of the Policies and
         current charges and experience. The Policy has not been designed so as
         to make the illustrations appear more favorable for a prospective male
         and female insured, both age 55, as shown, than for other combinations
         of insureds based on age and gender or for insureds on a sex-neutral
         basis.

2.       With respect to the charge of 1.25% of premiums for federal income
         taxes measured by premiums, described on page 9 of the Prospectus,

         (a)      the charge is reasonable in relation to the issuer's increased
                  federal tax burden under Section 848 of the Internal Revenue
                  Code of 1986;

         (b)      the targeted rate of return (11%) used in calculating the
                  charge is reasonable; and

         (c)      the factors taken into account in determining such targeted
                  rate of return are appropriate.

         I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to my name under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus.

                                                       Sincerely,

                                                       WILLIAM C. KOENIG

                                                       William C. Koenig
                                                       Senior Vice President
                                                         and Chief Actuary