Croatian water polo legend says daughter’s departure for US college left him lost for three months

For Dubravko Šimenc, one of the hardest moments of raising children came when his oldest daughter, Nika, left Croatia to attend college in the United States.

“I did not know where I was for three months,” Šimenc said, recalling how he could not stop crying after her departure.

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I did not know where I was for three months.

The former Croatian water polo player represented Yugoslavia and Croatia, making 200 appearances for the former and 150 for the latter. He also played in Croatia, Italy, the United States and Malta. His career included Olympic gold in 1988, Olympic silver in 1996, and world championship gold medals in 1986 and 1991.

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Being a parent is a huge obligation, a great responsibility, but also the greatest happiness life gives you.

Šimenc has also spoken about his daughter Karla, who has disabilities, and the family’s decision to have a third child nearly two decades after Karla’s birth. He said he and his wife hoped Nika and their son Toma would one day help care for Karla. He called parenthood a great responsibility and life’s greatest happiness.

In another interview, Šimenc said a medical checkup had detected the beginning of diabetes. He said he had taken the diagnosis seriously, followed dietary advice and increased his physical activity.

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Karla is our angel, the center of our universe.