Between the Throne and the Search for Personal Happiness: King Milan and Artemisa Hristić

Lecture by historian Aleksandar Marušić, senior curator at the Museum of the Rudnik-Takovo Region, titled “Between the Throne and the Search for Personal Happiness: King Milan Obrenović and Artemiza Hristić”, will be held at the Gallery of the National Museum Kraljevo, on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025, starting at 7 p.m.

The private life of the “first Serbian king after Kosovo” was undeniably marked by his relationship with his wife, Queen Natalija. However, the focus of this lecture will be the emotional life of the Serbian sovereign, woven with numerous affairs, with particular emphasis on his love and relationship with Artemiza Hristić.

Many may wonder – who was she really? Born Joanidis, the daughter of a Greek merchant and supplier to the royal court in Belgrade, she entered Serbian high society through her marriage to Milan Hristić, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For a time, she served at court as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Natalija. Her beauty quickly caught the eye of King Milan, and a passionate romance soon ignited between them. To spend more time with his beloved, the Serbian king appointed her husband as his personal secretary. After separating from Queen Natalija in 1888, Milan intended to marry Artemiza and urged her to obtain a divorce. However, she was unable to do so easily and eventually left Belgrade. She lived in Constantinople, where in 1889 she gave birth to a son believed by many to be King Milan’s child.

A special part of the lecture will be dedicated to the luxurious porcelain dining set gifted to Artemiza Hristić by her royal lover.

Today, this set is part of the permanent exhibition of the Museum of the Rudnik-Takovo Region in Gornji Milanovac.