It was unexpected news – like a lightning strike – plunged into mourning the people of civilization and not only. Despina Gerulana, who left us so early at just 65 years old, was loved everywhere: in the Benaki Museum, where she worked for many years, in Elefsina, where she recently served as president of the board of directors. organizations for the preparation of the Capital of Culture, in the world of artists, theater and cinema (in her youth she was an actress), collectors with whom she had a personal relationship and love. Whatever she undertook, she did it with passion, dedication and diligence: let the work be done well, and it does not matter to her at all to be seen or put on display.

A woman of extraordinary beauty and charm, a descendant of the Kalligads, Benakis and Herulans (a grandiose mixture imbued with culture and humility, which is rare in Greece), she lost her beloved husband Andreas Degas two years ago. Then she was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an autoimmune disease. In the last month, her health deteriorated sharply and she was hospitalized, but yesterday ended up in a private hospital in Cholargos. Since she never talked about the ordeal she faced, the news of her death came as a shock to her. She fought quietly and with dignity, like everyone else in her life. She knew how to be stoic.

Born in 1958 in Athens, the daughter of Emilia Kalliga, the only granddaughter of Antonis Benakis and Marinos Gerulanos, from a family with large lands in Argyroupoli. Her ancestors bequeathed patriotism, adoration of nature, appeal to craftsmanship, love of knowledge to her and her brothers and sisters: Irini, Pavlos and Marina. Despina studied at the Philosophical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Back in Athens, she accepted an offer from family friend Takis Horn to play with him in the theater and her first appearance was as Hilda in The Archmaster Solness.

Later he also studied at the Karolos Koun School of Art Theater and also starred in the film Variety in 1985 directed by Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Finally, considering herself not very talented, she decided to do something else. Inspired by set designer Dionysios Fotopoulos, she traveled to Paris, where she attended classes in drawing, sculpture and jewelry making with Lila de Nobili, and in 1991 she presented her first solo jewelry exhibition in Athens. Other individual and group exhibitions followed.

Her biggest contribution was perhaps that since 1994 she was responsible for the sales of the Benaki Museum. With a sharp eye, great respect for beautiful and well-made objects, she introduced us to many artists, choosing their work for Kumpari, Piraeus and other places. Her presence in the difficult and arduous preparations for the Capital of Culture was more than decisive. He was a level-headed individual who managed to calm tensions when knives or petty egos came out from time to time. Together with her late husband, she went through a little odyssey to adopt two children, Sotiris and Emilia, who are autistic.

We will miss Despina – each of us – because she was a charismatic and generous being. We are lucky to have met her. The latter was happy on Thursday at Ritson with his family.