Betty Valasi, acclaimed Greek actress, dies at 89

Renowned Greek actress Betty Valasi has passed away at the age of 89. She was widely recognized for her iconic role as ‘Loxandra’ in the 1980 ERT television series, which remains a landmark in Greek broadcasting.

Born in Thessaloniki in 1937 to refugees from Asia Minor, Valasi had a prolific career spanning theatre, cinema, and television. She trained under masters such as Katina Paxinou and Angelos Terzakis, making her stage debut in 1961. Her filmography includes at least 14 major Greek films and collaborations with notable directors like Theo Angelopoulos.

In her later years, Valasi resided at the ‘House of the Fighter’ while facing health challenges including dementia. Her political funeral is scheduled for Monday, October 19, at the First Cemetery of Athens. She was a long-time member of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and was married to actor Titos Vandis until his death in 2003.