Žiža Stojanović: The Actress Who Beat War, Hunger, and Life’s Hardships
Žiža Stojanović, the beloved actress and star of the series “Happy People,” passed away on June 27 at the age of 95. Her life story is nothing short of a drama — from a harsh childhood during wartime Serbia, through hunger and poverty, to success on the theater stage.
Childhood in the Shadow of War
Žiža grew up in a family barely making ends meet. Her mother, Leposava, exchanged gold jewelry for basic food like flour and lard so that Žiža and her sister Dobrila would have something to eat. The war brought fear and uncertainty, along with hunger that shadowed every day.
First Steps Toward Acting
After the war, Žiža enrolled in the Third Girls’ Gymnasium and joined the Belgrade Cultural Society. She passed an audition and landed the role of Koštana. Her first paycheck of 4,000 dinars went straight to buying shoes — because until then, she often went barefoot. Alongside school, she completed a stenography course but refused a court job and moved to Novi Sad to attend acting school.
Love and Career
At the National Theater in Niš, she met actor Vladislav Matić, whom she married and with whom she had a daughter, Sanja. Later, she had a love affair with actor Dušan Bulajić, who eventually married Olivera Marković. Žiža continued her career at the National Theater in Novi Sad and then at the Yugoslav Drama Theater in Belgrade, which led to a divorce from her husband who did not support her decision.
Personal Tragedies and Strength
Years brought losses — her daughter Sanja died after a long illness, and Žiža was left with two grandchildren. Despite everything, her love for acting and life never left her. She remembered walking barefoot to rehearsals and how acting pushed her forward, fearless of hardships.
Why Žiža Matters to Us
Her story reminds us how cruel life can be but also how much strength and willpower one person can have. Žiža Stojanović was not just an actress — she was a symbol of perseverance, courage, and love for art.
If you thought actors’ lives were always glamorous, think again. Žiža’s story proves that behind every smile, there can be a battle we don’t see. Got a life story that can top this? Drop it in the comments — let’s see who the real life champion is!
