Vedrana Rudan, prominent Croatian writer and columnist, dies at 77

Croatian writer, journalist, and columnist Vedrana Rudan has passed away at the age of 77 following a long battle with aggressive bile duct cancer. Rudan was widely recognized for her provocative, direct, and often controversial style regarding politics, society, and women's rights.

In accordance with her final wishes, her family has decided to keep the time and location of her funeral private, limiting the service to an intimate circle. Her official social media channels announced her passing with the phrase, “Vedrana has gone to an area without signal,” a metaphor she had previously used to describe her own death and illness.

Her death has drawn significant reactions across the region. While many colleagues and public figures, including singer Svetlana Ceca Ražnatović, offered tributes, others, such as Iva Alilović, expressed dissenting views. Rudan leaves behind her husband, Ljubiša Drageljević, and two children, Slaven and Asja.