| Branka Veselinovic | |
 Veselinovic in 2012 | |
| Birth: | 16 September 1918 Stari Becej, Austria-Hungary (present day Becej, Serbia) |
| Death: | 8 February 2023 Belgrade, Serbia |
| Age: | 104 years, 145 days |
| Country: |  SRB
|
| Centenarian | |
Branka Veselinovic (Serbian: Бранка Веселиновић; 16 September 1918 – 8 February 2023) was a Serbian centenarian and actress. Her acting career spanned more than 84 years, including over 100 stage plays and 50 film and television productions. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living actress in Serbia and the world, as well as the oldest Serbian actress ever.
Biography[]
Personal life[]
Branka Veselinovic was born as Branka Cosic in Stari Becej, Austria-Hungary (now Serbia) on 16 September 1918. She was the sixth child of Aleksandar, a librarian, and his wife, Jovanka (née Monasevic), a teacher. Her parents were accomplished in the artistic field, and she learnt to play the piano at an early age. She was also able to write verses and recite them with ease. She has six siblings. Veselinovic speaks Russian, English, German, Czech, Hungarian, Slovenian, and Macedonian. She married actor and translator Mladja Veselinovic on 30 September 1948. They remained married until his death in 2012. She was a close friend of poet Desanka Maksimovic and actor Mija Aleksic.
Career[]
Veselinovic studied acting at National Theatre in Belgrade from 1936 until 1938. At the age of 19, she trained at the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad, where she made her debut as a stage actress in the play Charles' Aunt. She earned a reputation for her humorous and satirical roles. In 1940, she moved to Belgrade.
From 1940, she began to make a name for herself by appearing in numerous stage performances across different theatres in Belgrade. Between 1940 and 1978, she was cast in several performances at the Art Theater (1940–1942), the National Theater (1944–1947), and the Yugoslav Drama Theater (1947–1978), with over 40 stage performances at the latter. On 3 April 1948, she appeared in the first stage performance at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre, in the play King Betajnova. In the US, she played the main character in the English-language play Mother Courage. In 1964, she received the Sterija Award for playing the role of Gina in Branislav Nusic's Bereaved Family. In 1970, she appeared in Mel Brooks's film adaptation of The Twelve Chairs. She has had over 100 stage performances and 50 film and television productions.
Veselinovic turned 100 in September 2018. She was the oldest living actress in Serbia as well as the oldest Serbian actress ever. Veselinovic was a lifelong ambassador of UNICEF. She became the oldest living actress in the world, following the death of the 104-year-old American actress Marsha Hunt on 7 September 2022. 11 days later, she celebrated her 104th birthday.
Branka Veselinovic died in Belgrade, Serbia on 8 February 2023 at the age of 104 years, 145 days.
Gallery[]
References[]
- Branka Veselinović: Neka vam Bog da moje godine Novosti, 2 August 2015
- Стоти рођендан Бранке Веселиновић Politika, 17 September 2018
- Branka Veselinović humanošću i dobrotom prkosi godinama Balkans Aljazeera.net, 13 November 2017
- Torta i cveće za legendarnu glumicu: Branka Veselinović napunila 102 godine Telegraf, 16 September 2020
- PIŠEM, SLIKAM I VEŽBAM SVAKI DAN: Branka Veselinović proslavila 103. rođendan, a evo kakav je JEDAN NJEN DAN! KURIR, 16 September 2021
- ČITAM I PIŠEM PESME BEZ NAOČARA: Branka Veselinović proslavila 103. rođendan Na Dlanu, 16 September 2021
- Branka Veselinović je od danas najstarija glumica na svetu Nova.rs, 16 September 2022
- BRANKA VESELINOVIĆ SLAVI 104. ROĐENDAN: Najstarija glumica na svetu za KURIR otkrila šta RADI SVAKOG DANA zbog DOBROG ZDRAVLJA KURIR, 16 September 2022
- Branka Veselinović je ZVANIČNO NAJSTARIJA glumica na svetu: Danas proslavlja 104. rođendan Naj Žena, 16 September 2022
- NAJSTARIJA JE GLUMICA NA SVETU Branka Veselinović proslavila 104. rođendan, a ovo je tajna njene dugovečnosti (VIDEO) Alo.rs, 16 September 2022
- POSLEDNJI INTERVJU BRANKA VESELINOVIĆ DALA ZA INFORMER: Ima starijih od mene, zavisi kako se osećate! INFORMER, 8 February 2023
- World’s oldest living actress, Branka Veselinović, dies aged 104 Euronews, 8 February 2023