Maria Panagopoulou: Her Emotion for Kostas Hardavellas – ‘I’m Not Ready to Meet People Yet’

The death of her husband and renowned journalist, Kostas Hardavellas, remains an open wound for Maria Panagopoulou. Following a severe health incident, the loss continues to deeply affect her. During the presentation of Spyros Petroulakis’s book titled “The Sonata of the Invisible Birds,” dedicated to Hardavella, who passed away in December 2024, Panagopoulou opened up about her feelings. The event took place on Monday, March 31, 2025, during the Buongiorno show. She expressed that the evening was profoundly moving as the book honors both Hardavella and Dimitris Himellos, who passed within hours of each other. Panagopoulou revealed how much the dedication moved her, stating, “When I learned that the book is dedicated to Kostas, I cried a lot, just like now. It’s very emotional.” She also shared that while many people have been thoughtful, she isn’t yet ready to meet others, attending only because she knows it’s what Kostas would want. She concluded by expressing gratitude towards a stranger who has reached out weekly since Kostas’s passing, highlighting the touching impact of human kindness.