Public figures bid farewell to Ksenija Urličić: ‘I cannot believe she is gone’

Ksenija Urličić, a leading Croatian television editor known to colleagues as the “Iron Lady,” has died at 87. Tributes quickly followed from people whose careers and projects were shaped by her work at Croatian Radio Television.

Urličić began her television career as an announcer and rose to become editor and chief editor of HRT’s entertainment program. Former presenter Duško Ćurlić described their last conversation, which took place about 10 days earlier after the death of Urličić’s husband, Ivo. He said he was stunned by her death and remembered working with her on an HRT entertainment and music program in the mid-1990s.

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I cannot believe Ksenija is gone.

Ćurlić recalled that they once created a slogan while joking during a voice-over recording: “Let’s be serious, this is an entertainment program.” He said the line captured Urličić’s belief that entertainment was serious work. In his farewell, he thanked her for the lessons and experiences that would remain with those who knew her.

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Let’s be serious, this is an entertainment program.

Former presenter Mirna Berend wrote that Urličić had taught her much. Former model Sanja Bjedov Popović shared a photograph of the two and recalled that Urličić received the Timeless Beauty award five years ago. She described her affectionately as “Aunt Ksenija,” despite Urličić never allowing her to use that title.

Longtime collaborator Ljudevit Grgurić Grga told Jutarnji list that he could not believe she was gone. He described her as an unmatched boss who was firm, strict and principled, but also someone who loved her work and protected her colleagues. Urličić was remembered for creating numerous important television projects.

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Madam Ksenija, thank you for so much, both the good and the less good, but definitely for what you remember and learn forever, in one way or another.