Yugoslav Film and Music Icon Olivera Katarina Dies at 87

Olivera Katarina, one of the most recognizable artists from the former Yugoslavia, has died at the age of 87. Her family announced her passing on Tuesday, with the Film Center of Serbia confirming the news on Wednesday. Serbian media reported she died after a brief illness, though her family has not released further details.

Born Olivera Petrović in Belgrade in 1940, she adopted the stage name Katarina from her mother. Initially studying law, she transitioned to acting and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent. International fame came with her role as Lenca, a singer, in Aleksandar Petrović's 1967 film 'I Even Met Happy Gypsies.' The film, featuring the Roma anthem 'Đelem, Đelem,' received the Grand Jury Prize and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Throughout her career, Katarina appeared in numerous films and pursued a singing career, becoming particularly remembered for her renditions of folk and Roma songs. She performed globally, including an impressive 72 shows at the renowned Olympia in Paris. Her biography, 'Aristocratic Foot,' published in 2002, detailed her experiences, including encounters with Josip Broz Tito and claims of jealousy from his wife, Jovanka Broz, and alleged poisoning.

Katarina's life was marked by both international acclaim and later personal struggles. She reportedly lived in solitude in her later years, facing financial difficulties and selling furniture to pay bills while living in a rented apartment in Belgrade.

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Dali so mi nekaj, od česar sem dobila rane v ustih. Grlo, usta, vse je bilo v ranah. Hranili so me po kapljicah.