How Saša Popović spent his final hours — his last wish for everyone
The Grand Stars impresario died on March 1 last year; close friends say he kept his composure and even forbade public mourning in his final days.
How Saša Popović spent his final hours — his last wish for everyone
The Grand Stars impresario died on March 1 last year; close friends say he kept his composure and even forbade public mourning in his final days.
Saša Popović, the long-time figure behind Zvezde Granda, passed away on March 1 last year, leaving behind his daughter Aleksandra, his wife Suzana and his stepson Daniel. Colleagues from across the music scene and many performers with whom he worked publicly expressed sorrow on social networks and offered condolences to the family.
Account from a friend who was by his side
Mikica Gačić — the accordionist who says he remained on the phone with Popović until almost the end — spoke about the last days on the TV show SCENA. "A great sorrow, a great sadness and a great loss for all of us. For the entire music scene, one of the greatest and best has gone," Gačić told viewers, describing the mood after the producer's death.
Gačić went on to recount how Popović faced his final moments with what the musician called restraint and dignity: "Suzana was with him, and Aleksandra, his daughter. And his son Daniel. They were in the room next to him when he exhaled, but he wouldn't let anyone mourn. He had such dignity until the last day. When we spoke, he wouldn't allow anyone to mention the illness. He knew about every contestant not only when they were at the audition, but also what that person sang at the audition," the well-known accordionist said on SCENA.
According to Gačić, Popović continued to plan professionally until the end. He instructed colleagues to keep working and to carry on with scheduled projects — he even urged that the auditions arranged for April 14 be completed and spoke about engagements in Montenegro and North Macedonia. "Finish the auditions, do them, I'm coming back in September," Popović reportedly told his friend and colleague at Grand.
Popović was buried in Belgrade on March 6, one day before his daughter Aleksandra's 26th birthday; instead of celebrating, she and the family mourned. Aleksandra posted on social networks two days after his death, and later Suzana also shared messages with followers. Short archival video clips and interviews recalling moments from his life — including an anecdote about how he first met the singer Ceca at an event in Strumica — have circulated since his passing.
Photo: press material from the event
