“I love to write. It’s how I express myself best… The ascent of Olympus left me somewhat silent; as I descended from the mountain walking through the ‘forest of silence,’ I heard my footsteps, and they were quiet. Even I was quiet. This inner voice we all have was just a silent, calm whisper; I felt serene, clear, and incredibly grateful… We all have our mountains to climb in life,” Tatiana Blatnik wrote a month ago on her Instagram account about her hike on Olympus, an experience of purification and catharsis.
What is certain is that she has begun a new chapter in her life after 14 years of marriage and shared paths with Nikolaos Glucksburg. Their divorce dropped like a bomb last March, as, at least publicly, there had never seemed to be clouds on the horizon. “Nikolaos and Tatiana, after fourteen years of life together, have decided to proceed with the dissolution of their marriage,” stated the announcement released by the office of the former royal family, emphasizing the deep appreciation and respect they hold for one another, as well as the love with which they journeyed all these years.
Two months later, a tragic event would again shake her life: the disappearance of her half-brother, Atilio Brilenburg, who was last seen in Malibu last May. Certainly, 2024 has not been kind to Blatnik, who seems to embody a model of emotional resilience, moving forward with grace and dignity into this new chapter of her life.
Tatiana has been based in Athens since 2013, when she and Nikolaos decided to move permanently to his homeland, even amidst the economic crisis. It was not an easy transition from the cosmopolitan life of London. However, Blatnik quickly adapted to the rhythm of the capital. “I live a very simple life in Greece. I work, go to the supermarket, cook, and take my dog for walks,” she had stated to Vogue.
It was then that she collaborated with the NGO “Boroume” to contribute to the humanitarian crisis experienced by the Greeks. In collaboration with author Diana Farr Louis, they edited the publication A Taste of Greece (2016), gathering recipes and memories from 40 international personalities (among them Nobu, Margaret Atwood, Victoria Hislop, etc.) to support the work of “Boroume” with the proceeds from the sales.
Her Early Years and Meeting Nikolaos
Tatiana was born in Caracas, the daughter of Ladislav Vladimir Blatnik of Slovenian descent, and Marie Blanche Berlen, who had aristocratic roots in Germany. Her father had previously been engaged to actress Natalie Wood. However, her childhood was marked by the death of her father, who passed away when she was only 7 years old. She grew up in Switzerland and then moved to the U.S. to study Social Sciences at Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
It was on a ski trip in Gstaad, Switzerland, that she met Nikolaos, with the two announcing their engagement just six years later. She has stated that she was charmed by his polite manners and romantic approach—at one point, they even exchanged letters as he was based in London and she in the American capital. She later moved to London and began her professional career as an event manager at Diane von Furstenberg. The couple lived in Chelsea, London, and visited Greece together for the first time in 2004 in anticipation of the Olympic Games.
The Dream Wedding in Spetses
“The wedding was like Mamma Mia, but for aristocrats,” characterized the couple’s wedding in Spetses on August 25, 2010. Tatiana arrived at the Church of St. Nicholas in a flower-decorated carriage, dazzling in her wedding gown designed by Angel Sanchez, embroidered with French lace. Celebrations began the night before with a cocktail party at Poseidonion Grand Hotel, the iconic hotel of Spetses. The presence of Nikolaos’ aunt, Queen Sofia, as well as then-Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia, along with royals from all over Europe, graced the event. The couple exchanged vows of fidelity in front of 350 guests at a fairy-tale wedding.
Everything Now Leads to a “Breath”
In 2020, the pandemic pushed Tatiana Blatnik to take the next step in her life and create the organization “Breathe,” which aims to protect our right to mental health and combat stigma. “True strength is recognizing that you are vulnerable,” she has stated, and it seems that this motto also guides her in life.
