Greek journalist Maria Anastasopoulou has spoken about her former colleague Giorgos Papadakis, saying that even though he had nothing left to prove in his career, he worked every day as though he had everything to prove.
Anastasopoulou made the comments in an interview with OK! magazine, in which she discussed her professional career and her two-year partnership with ANT1, including the time she spent working alongside Papadakis on the morning programme "Kalimera, Ellada."
Praise for Papadakis's Work Ethic
Asked about the qualities that stood out in the late journalist and presenter, Anastasopoulou pointed to his work ethic. She said she had held on to his diligence, adding that throughout her career she had never seen anyone work harder. She described him as a journalist who did not have to prove anything to anyone, yet who worked every day as though he had to prove everything to everyone.
Giorgos Papadakis was a longtime fixture of Greek breakfast television, best known for hosting "Kalimera, Ellada" on the private broadcaster ANT1.
No Regrets About the Move to ANT1
Anastasopoulou was also asked whether she regretted joining forces with Papadakis on the programme. She said the opposite was true. She recalled that early in her career a colleague had told her that in every job, people are really working toward the next one.
She described her move to ANT1 as a major decision, coming after 15 years at the rival network SKAI. She said she realised at the time that everything comes down to mindset, and that adjustment follows once a conscious choice has been made. She said that when someone makes a deliberate decision, they defend it, support it and try to do their best within it.
Anastasopoulou said she was at an age where she knew her own footing when she decided to take the step. She admitted that at first she wondered whether she had what it took and whether she would manage, but that inwardly she knew she would succeed. She said the two years at ANT1 ultimately went well and led her to her current role on "Live You."
Timeline With Papadakis at Kalimera, Ellada
Anastasopoulou also traced the sequence of events from September 2022, when Papadakis had publicly stated that she would be his successor on "Kalimera, Ellada," through to the end of her collaboration with ANT1 in the summer of 2024.
She said she now considers that entire discussion pointless, particularly after Papadakis's death. She said she spent two years next to him on "Kalimera, Ellada" and that this remains a very important part of her professional record.
Reflecting on Papadakis's Death
Anastasopoulou said it had been extremely upsetting when Papadakis left the programme, noting that she and her colleagues were present for his departure. She said that a few months later, he died. She added that, in light of that, everything else now seems very minor to her by comparison.
