The Woman behind Milošević — the story of the ‘Lady Macbeth of the Balkans’

I was reading this book called “The Death of Yugoslavia” based on a BBC documentary, and the name was quite suggestive already. What I did not know was that I was going to be introduced to Mirjana “Mira” Marković. Very honestly I didn’t know who she was until I was reading this book.

You know how they say “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman.” — well, in this case, this sentence has a very twisted meaning.

So who is she? For the public eye and for quick reference, she was the wife of Slobodan Milošević. But she was not just “the wife” and this is why I’m writing this article. Please be aware, this might start as a romantic story, but don’t be fooled.

Their relationship began in high school as proper high school love birds. And since then they were inseparable. What bonded them the most was their deep rooted family trauma.

Over the course of their romance, Marković and Milošević developed a deep and abiding love that was full of understanding for each others lives and wounds. They were often seen showing this strong affection in public, despite being so deep into the Political Scene and all the controversies that followed.

Marković studied in Belgrade, where she earned a degree in sociology and later on became a teacher. Marković and Milošević’s political careers began to take off in the 1980s, when Milošević became the President of the League of Communists of Serbia.

Marković founded her own political party, the Yugoslav United Left (JUL), which governed in coalition with her husband’s Socialist party. This quickly became one of the most powerful political parties in the country.

During the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, Marković played a significant role in the political and social spheres. She was known for her extreme nationalism and for advocating for the preservation of the Yugoslav state. She was a big influential political figure in her own right and was a strong advocate of her beliefs, which often aligned with her husband’s political agenda, or the agenda she might have made for him.

In 2001, after Milošević was deposed and extradited to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, Marković went into exile in Russia. She was wanted by Serbian authorities for charges of abuse of power and corruption, but Russia refused to extradite her, and there she remained until her death in 2019.

Her influence was vast, please see below:

1.Ideological influence: Marković and Milošević shared a commitment to communism and Marxist-Leninist ideology, which was deeply ingrained in both of their political identities. Marković’s background as a sociologist and her interest in Marxist theory influenced Milošević’s political views and helped shape the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), which they founded in 1990.

2. Political partnership: Marković and Milošević had another strong partnership outside of their love life — In politics, with Marković serving as the key advisor to her husband. She was known for her strong personality and assertiveness, which helped her to exert significant influence over Milošević and the policies of his government. Some might say all his ideas were actually hers.

3. Nationalistic influence: Marković was an extreme nationalist and advocated for the preservation of the Yugoslav state. Her nationalist views influenced Milošević’s policies, which were characterised by a strong Serbian nationalism that contributed to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

4. Propaganda and media control: Marković was instrumental in creating a propaganda machine that helped Milošević to maintain his hold on power. She controlled the state-run media (Pink TV) and used it to promote the policies of her husband’s government, while also suppressing the voices of the opposition. This propaganda machine helped to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that allowed Milošević to maintain his hold on power for many years.

5. International influence: Marković clearly had ties to the Russian government, and she used these connections to promote Milošević’s interests on the international stage. She was also instrumental in shaping Milošević’s foreign policy, which was characterised by a confrontational stance towards the West.

Marković’s legacy is complicated and controversial. While she is remembered by some as a strong leader and advocate for her beliefs, others see her as a divisive figure who contributed to the violence and bloodshed of the Yugoslav Wars.

Regardless of one’s opinions on Marković and her politics, her life and career serve as a reminder of the complex and tragic history of the Balkans in the 20th century. Her story also culminates the dangers of extreme and hateful nationalism and the importance of finding ways to peacefully resolve conflicts and build a more stable and prosperous future for all nations.

Young Mira and Slobodan — source: https://arhiva.nacional.hr/en/clanak/23828/the-perfect-criminal-couple