Veteran Greek actress Betty Valassi died on Thursday at the age of 89.
Her civil funeral will take place on Monday, October 19, at 11:30 a.m., at the First Cemetery of Athens.
Valassi won over Greek viewers in the early 1980s with her portrayal of Grandma Loxandra, the lead character in a TV series of the same name inspired by the 1963 novel written by Maria Iordanidou.
The 30-episode series, one of the last Greek productions made in black and white, is set in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many Greeks lived in the city.
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In addition to “Loxandra”, Valassi performed in dozens of Greek theater productions, working with some of the most prominent actors and directors in Greece, including Katina Paxinou, Angelos Terzakis, Theodoros Angelopoulos, Nikos Koundouros, and Jules Dassin.
She made her debut in 1961 at the Kalouta Theatre in featuring Karolos Koun and Mary Aroni. She played the role of Pallas Athena in the satirical trilogy “Odyssey” by Manolis Skouloudis.
Valassi was born in Thessaloniki in 1937 to parents who were refugees from Asia Minor. She was married to late actor Titos Vandis.
Political and Outspoken
Politically active and outspoken, Valassi openly declared her affiliation with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). She also participated in the activities of the Greek Actors’ Guild, ran as a parliamentary candidate, and served as an elected municipal councilor for the City of Athens. Her public presence was marked by directness and a clear personal stance, traits she maintained well beyond the theatrical stage.
She spent the last four year of her life the “Home of the Fighter” (Spiti tou Agonisti).
In a statement, the KKE paid tribute to Valassi, describing her as an artist who viewed theater and life as two inseparable worlds.
Greek actress Betty Valassi with her husband actor Titos Vandis.
“Betty Valassi leaves behind a significant legacy in art and culture. She leaves behind the memory of a creative, dynamic, and uncompromising woman. She also leaves behind the example of an artist who demonstrated that art cannot be detached from life,” the statement read.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni also expressed her condolences, describing Valassi as a performer with a sharp critical faculty and an exceptionally broad range.
“She was also an active citizen with a genuine interest in public affairs, steadfast in her convictions and her political commitment, within the ranks of KKE, serving her ideals with consistency, selflessness, and dedication,” Mendoni said.
Valassi is survived by her son, Nikolas Harry Minissali, and her grandson, Titos.