Greek actress Betty Valasi passes away at 89

Renowned Greek actress Betty Valasi passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the age of 89. In her final years, she resided at the 'Spiti tou Agonisti' facility. Born in 1937 in Thessaloniki to parents who were refugees from Asia Minor, she leaves behind a significant legacy in Greek theater, television, and film.

Valasi began her formal theatrical career in 1961 at the Kalouta Theater, working alongside esteemed directors such as Karolos Koun and actress Mary Aroni. She gained widespread public recognition for her iconic leading role in the 1980 ERT television series 'Loxandra', which was based on the acclaimed novel by Maria Iordanidou and centered on the experiences of the Greek community in Constantinople. Over her long career, she performed in numerous theatrical productions and appeared in at least 14 feature films between 1960 and 2004.

In her personal life, she married actor Titos Vandis in 1984, and the couple remained together until his death in 2003. Her passing has been met with sadness across the Greek artistic community, marking the end of a notable career that bridged several decades of Greek cultural history.