Ksenija Urličić, Croatian Television’s “Steel Lady,” Dies at 86

Ksenija Urličić, one of the most influential figures in Croatian television, died on August 31, 2026, at the age of 86. She spent more than four decades at Television Zagreb and later at HRT.

As an editor, Urličić shaped numerous popular programs, including Sedma noć. She also conceived Dora, the Croatian music competition associated with selecting the country’s Eurovision entry. Colleagues called her the “Steel Lady,” a nickname linked to her decisiveness, professionalism and authority.

Her influence extended beyond entertainment programming. In the early 1990s, she could have pursued political office, including a seat in the Croatian Parliament, but chose to become editor of Croatian Television’s entertainment department. The position gave her control over a costly and politically important broadcasting system during the difficult wartime years.

Urličić later said that retirement ultimately saved her life, even though the prospect initially seemed unlikely to bring a brighter chapter. Her brother, Žarko Domljan, a former speaker of the Croatian Parliament, had told her that retirement would turn the page toward a more cheerful part of life.

The interview being republished after her death first appeared in 2023. In it, Urličić described her faith in direct terms: “I am a believer, our faith is in eternal life, our hope is the resurrection, and our love is memory.”

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I am a believer, our faith is in eternal life, our hope is the resurrection, and our love is memory.