According to Zsuzsanna Nagy, her husband is "infinitely direct, loves people and life very much, has a good sense of humor, is good-natured, doesn't like formalities, and is a free spirit."
The first lady of Hungary gave the first interview of her life to hirado.hu. Zsuzsanna is not an exhibitionist, her being radiates a serene and noble simplicity. He is a mental health specialist and family therapist by profession, so he wants to take up the cases of people in difficult situations in the future.
What did you originally plan for the coming years?
The plan was to get through these two and a half years, which are still left of my husband's presidency of the Constitutional Court, nicely, then we changed to a slower pace of life, in which the children would have received primary attention and role, since even now I help my daughter, I spend a lot of time with my two little grandchildren. We would have calmed down and taken care of the fruit trees, we would have been to Lake Balaton often, we would have prepared for a lot of swimming and hiking.
The Garden of Eden idyll was outlined...
Sure.
He smiles gently when he talks about this idyll. How did you feel when life suddenly overrode this and your husband was nominated as president of the republic?
Before that, of course, he asked me. I have accepted this situation and I will do my best to be his partner in this as well. The kids were obviously worried, but I was
I told Tamas that I would be by your side, behind you and with you in everything, and that came from the heart.
Only then did the rational thought flash, the emergency flasher turned on: oops, I wonder what this will mean?
You cannot prepare for this, but we will cope with the task.
How are you preparing for a period full of challenges?
Now maybe we can discuss everything even better, more deeply, more thoroughly. Humor is a great resource for us, which has already helped us through many difficulties. Of course, we will try to adhere to the standards that belong to his role, no matter what
I will try to stand by him to the best of my ability.
I know that wives also tend to take matters into their own hands, and then I will find something that suits my constitution and education.
What do you think?
To listen, support and help people who are in a difficult situation in some way. I do this well.
You know Tamás Sulyok best, what is the personality of our new president of the republic like?
He is extremely direct, he loves people and life very much, he has a good sense of humor, he is good-natured, he is not a fan of formalities, and he is a free spirit.
They met at a young age and have been a couple since graduation. What does this marriage mean to you?
A close alliance.
What is the secret of a stable, strong alliance?
We have certain personality traits that helped us in this, they supported us from above, and of course luck is also needed in life.
So he believes in God.
Yes.
As a result of the consciousness industry, the trend of "there is another" instead of loyalty is also spreading in the field of relationships. What advice would you give to young people on how to stand by each other in good times and bad?
How to stay happily together? A person first decides this in his head, and then tries to implement it by all means, for example by being tolerant, persistent,
he does not want to change the other, but tries to start the change himself.
I don't want to give advice to anyone, but it is essential that I know who I am. If two mature personalities come together who know their own faults, convulsions, difficulties, values, and resources, then the chance that the relationship will work well is much higher. Of course there will be ups and downs, but as we say,
where the chimney does not smoke, there is no life; if the water surface is flat, it is frozen. Life is constant movement and change.
As a result of his work, he knows the secrets of the soul. Are you used to making use of your expertise within the family?
I tried, I'm trying, but you know, the shoemaker often has holes in his shoes, and the doctor doesn't like to operate on his own child or wife either.
Politics is a difficult field. Do you think that the feminine quality, the subtle supporting energies, are necessary in public life?
The presence of women in public life and politics is certainly very important, but I think their role in the family is even more important, and this is where the great contrast arises, since many young mothers have to accept that they have to fulfill both here and there, and this comes with a lot of difficulties goes
My generation grew up in the Kádár system, there were not many opportunities for us to have a serious career as women. I believe that both sexes have their own virtues and values. Personally, I really do
I like it when they let me go, when they help me with my coat, when they see me as a woman.
I know that many of our children's age group and even younger ones do not require this. We are in a time of great change, and it is very difficult to formulate cleverness or clear wisdom here. According to the experts
this is the first era when the elderly often cannot give specific guidance and advice to their children and grandchildren.
We still live according to the older methods and principles, we also belong to them genetically, but today's youth must prevail under completely different conditions.
He likes to be helped to put his coat on, this shows a conservative value system.
I have a life behind me that is family-friendly, supports relationships, togetherness, and holding together. I come from a traditional family model, and we currently live within this framework.
Both grew up in the countryside, and a career in the capital did not banish the simplicity radiating from their being.
We will certainly preserve our individuality, if it has been served up to now, it will not fundamentally change in the coming years either.
If our style were to change, we would not be authentic,
since we have developed our personality long ago.
The appearance of famous people is often shaped by stylists. Would you be able to give up your individual style and wardrobe?
I already have an established style that I don't want to give up. I don't think that's out of the question, but I don't know what exactly awaits me. For my generation, there has never been such a big focus on dressing up. I remember when we were young we were glad to have a better pair of jeans, and later on clothes didn't play the main role in our lives, but it is certain that in this position in which
I represent my country and my nation, I must and I will appear with dignity.
Are you excited to have advisors to help you in this new role?
By all means, as this is teamwork! So far, I have met many attractive and helpful people. I will be able to work with all my colleagues in such a way that we will be friends and solve problems, situations and tasks together.
This high-ranking position comes with more publicity. And the tabloid media is not very tactful.
Maybe it's naivety, but I try not to think about it. Our circle of friends will certainly remain, and we will try to preserve our own habits and lifestyle as much as possible.
It's a strange situation that they ask me.
I'm not an exhibitionist.
on the other hand, I was always in the chair where you are sitting now: I watched, sympathized, asked, listened. For me, acting is still strange and unusual.
And how will they appear on social media?
I don't know yet, but it's not my responsibility to decide. The law stipulates what my husband must do, what my duties are, and there will be competent colleagues around the president. I haven't really been on social media before.
Not long ago, he was preparing for the quiet, retired idyll, but now he tackles his new task with great energy. What is the recipe for youthful vigor?
Maybe genetics. My mother is almost ninety-two years old, but she doesn't look eighty. I believe that as long as I can maintain my openness and interest, the drive and vitality are mine.
You are the Hungarian first lady, how do you live this?
With anticipation, trust, sometimes with more or less astonishment, I don't have an exact answer to this yet, since I wasn't really prepared for it. Now I have to learn, embrace what my role will be, but
I will do my best to stand up
to live up to the expectations placed on me and even feel good about myself in this situation.
Which presidential couple do you think they will most resemble?
Well...I think mostly to ourselves.
Featured image: hirado.hu/Gyula Péter Horváth
