Maria Osterwa-Czekaj, who worked for decades as a journalist at the Kraków centre of Polish Television, has died. She worked there until 2000. The woman was 83 years old. The cause of her death was not given, but it is known that she died on the night from Sunday to Monday. “Marysia is dead. Very sad. We haven't had any contact for some time, but we used to like each other and meet up. And so it is: it seems to us that not today, not tomorrow, next week, next month – and here comes such news. And the meeting plans are out of date, because people pass away quickly,” wrote Krakow city councilor Małgorzata Jantos online. MEP Róża Rhun also decided to say a few farewell sentences. “This Krakow is so empty without you, Marysia. What an empty Piarist. But you, I am sure, are free from this sick body, free, free and independent, because such is your nature, you swing joyfully in the air… and we, mediocrities, cry” – she stated.
Maria Osterwa-Czekaj's career
Maria Osterwa-Czekaj was the daughter of the outstanding actor and director Juliusz Osterwa. At baptism she received the names Maria Taddea Dorota, but according to sources, at home she was affectionately called “Matadorek”. The journalist was the granddaughter of Prince Paweł Jan Sapieha, the brother of Cardinal Adam Sapieha, and Matylda Windisch-Graetz. Until 1981 she was an assistant to Professor Andrzej Pawłowski at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. She was the screenwriter and director of the films “Believe in Memory”, “The Man Who Knew Edith Stein”. She also collaborated on the production of the film “Eaglets”.
Bogumiła Wander died after a long illness
We have just learned about another TVP star who died at the same age as Maria Osterwa-Czekaj. I'm talking about Bogumile Wander. The presenter passed away on July 30, 2024 after a long illness. When Alzheimer's left her without contact a few years ago, her husband Krzysztof Baranowski did everything he could to provide her with the best care. He sold their luxury villa and paid for her stay in the best specialist center, where she could count on 24-hour help. – Her very successful marriage with Mr. Baranowski was wonderful. Such an exemplary one. She loved him very much and spoke of him with tenderness and care. Believe me, this love was really visible. Krzysztof always took care of Bogusia. Until the end, actually. Unfortunately, they had a difficult fate in recent years due to an illness that separated them – she told us a friend stars Catherine Miller.