EXHIBIT C(6)

                                               April 29, 2002
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
720 East Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Gentlemen:

         This opinion is furnished in connection with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6, Registration No. 33-89188, of
Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account. The prospectus included in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 ("Prospectus") describes the Variable CompLife
insurance policies to be issued in connection with the Account ("Policies"). 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 cash values and death benefits 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 dividend scale and experience.
         The rate structure of the Policies has not been designed so as to make
         the relationship between premiums and benefits, as shown in the
         illustrations, appear more favorable to a prospective purchaser of a
         Policy for male age 35, than to prospective purchasers of Policies for
         a male at other ages or for a female.

2.       With respect to the charge of 1.25% of premiums for federal income
         taxes measured by premiums, described on page 11 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 (9%) 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