Jovanka Broz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jovanka Broz
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| Јованка Броз | |
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| First Lady of Yugoslavia | |
| In role 14 January 1953 – 4 May 1980 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jovanka Budisavljević
7 December 1924 Pećane near Udbina, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (now Croatia) |
| Died | 20 October 2013 (aged 88) Belgrade, Serbia |
| Resting place | House of Flowers, Belgrade, Serbia 44°47′12.21″N 20°27′6.1″E / 44.7867250°N 20.451694°E |
| Nationality | Yugoslav |
| Spouse | |
| Parents |
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| Awards |  National Order of Merit |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Yugoslavia |
| Branch/service | Yugoslav Partisans Yugoslav People's Army |
| Years of service | 1941–52 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Jovanka Broz (born Jovanka Budisavljević; December 7, 1924 – October 20, 2013) was an important figure in the history of Yugoslavia. She was the First Lady of Yugoslavia, meaning she was the wife of its president, Josip Broz Tito.
Jovanka also held a military rank as a lieutenant colonel in the Yugoslav People's Army. She was married to President Tito from 1952 until he passed away in 1980. After his death, her personal belongings were taken, and she moved to a state-owned home. She lived there under strict rules, almost like house arrest.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Partisans
Jovanka Budisavljević was born on December 7, 1924. Her family was Croatian Serb and lived in a place called Pećane, near Udbina, in what is now Croatia. At that time, it was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
In April 1941, World War II began in Yugoslavia. Her family had to leave their home because of the Ustaše regime. This group was very hostile towards Serbs. Their house was even burned down by Ustaše soldiers. At just 17 years old, Jovanka decided to join the Yugoslav Partisans. The Partisans were a group fighting against the invaders during the war.
Life with President Tito
Jovanka Broz played a special role in the life of Marshal Tito. A former general, Marjan Kranjc, said she was assigned to Tito as early as 1945. Her job was to check his food and make sure everything was clean to prevent illness.
After Tito's close friend Davorjanka Paunović passed away in 1946, Jovanka became his personal secretary. This meant she was part of Tito's closest security team. She also had to sign a secret agreement to cooperate with the State Security Service.
Their Relationship
Milovan Đilas, a key figure in the communist movement, wrote about Jovanka's relationship with Tito. He explained that it was a very challenging situation for her. She was always by Tito's side, even waiting for hours in hallways during meetings. She wanted to be available if he needed anything.
Đilas also wrote that Jovanka saw Tito as a hero of the war and the communist party. She believed everyone should give their all for him. She was also falling deeply in love with him. She was ready to dedicate her life to him, even if it meant staying unknown.
Their Marriage
The exact date of Jovanka and Tito's wedding is not fully known. Their secret wedding ceremony happened either in 1951 or April 1952. The location is also unclear. Some say it was in the Dunavka villa in Ilok, while others mention Belgrade's Čukarica area.
Later Challenges
Many people believe that Jovanka became a victim of politicians' ambitions. These politicians might have influenced the aging Marshal Tito to turn against his wife. In 1975, Tito left their shared home. She did not see him from 1977 until his death in 1980.
After Marshal Tito died, Jovanka lived alone in a suburb of Belgrade called Dedinje. She was under house arrest. Her house was in very poor condition, with a leaking roof, and no one helped with repairs. For eight years, she lived without heating. She also did not have her pension or important documents like her ID and passport until 2009. Her car was taken, so she could not visit her husband's grave whenever she wanted. The government had to approve if she left her house. For 30 years, she had very few basic human rights.
Her Passing
Jovanka Broz was admitted to a hospital on August 23, 2013. She passed away from a heart attack in a Belgrade hospital on October 20, 2013, at the age of 88. She was buried in The House of Flowers mausoleum, close to her husband's grave.
Her Book
A book titled My Life, My Truth was released just three weeks before she died.
Honours and Awards
Jovanka Broz received several important awards and honours from different countries:
France : Dame Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (May 8, 1956).
Netherlands : Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (October 22, 1970).
Iran : Commemorative Medal of the 2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire (October 14, 1971).
Nepalese Royal Family: Member First Class of the Most Illustrious Order of the Three Divine Powers (February 2, 1974).
See also
In Spanish: Jovanka Broz para niños
