Lena Mantas: ‘I Knew My Husband Would “Leave”, I Counted the Days for a Year’

In an emotional interview on ‘Buongiorno,’ Lena Mantas opened up about the loss of her husband and how it changed her life. “After losing my husband, I had to face the fact that he had ‘miscalculated’ me,” she confessed. The renowned author discussed her worldview and the profound impact of her husband’s passing. She explained, “I wasn’t exactly making decisions in the last year; things just happened. No one can fully understand the turmoil of losing a spouse. I knew he would leave, so I counted each day for a whole year. I stopped sleeping at night, worrying something might happen. We made travel plans together, but he didn’t grasp the severity of his health condition or my anxiety.” After a medical intervention, her husband seemed to recover, even joking about remarriage and oxygen therapy. However, until the end, he never shared any thoughts about death with her. This left Mantas to confront the reality that her husband had ‘underestimated’ her capabilities, as he had managed everything while she focused on writing. “He was my first and greatest admirer,” she fondly recalled. Mantas also reflected on feeling ‘excluded’ by her parents during childhood, which she believes ultimately strengthened her resilience. Her relationship with her husband began at age 18, where she became his absolute priority. Now, after his passing, she has returned to her disciplined routines. Her new book, ‘The House Next to the River: The Next Generation,’ continues the beloved story cherished by thousands of readers.