Donatella Rettore Discusses Aging, Loss, and the Importance of Cherishing Loved Ones
Facing the Future With Courage and Celebrating Life’s Joys
Donatella Rettore approached fame with humility. “I’m an anti-diva,” she explains, “I want to live, I don’t withdraw into a glass house.”
Her perspective on aging holds a similar genuineness. While she doesn’t fear the passage of time itself, she expresses apprehension about the challenges it often brings. “I’m not afraid of getting old, but I’m afraid of what old age brings,” she reveals. “Italy forgets about the elderly. Our elderly deserve to be cherished.”
This profound statement is tinged with personal experience. Both her parents, Tersiita Pisani, a renowned Goldoni actress, and Sergio Rettore, a businessman, passed away relatively early in her life. These losses deeply impacted Donatella.
“I lived with depression when my mother left. She was a captain, but also a safe haven,” she shares poignantly. “I’m afraid of old age because it takes people away. My father had a heart attack, and those left behind suffer eternally. I saw my mother slowly disappear instead. But there’s a funny thing about my mother – she was the diva of the house.”
Turning to brighter subjects, Donatella finds solace in the love of animals. “I don’t want to be around people who don’t love animals. I have three dogs, and they can sense when I’m not feeling good, when I get melancholic.”
She also treasures her relationship with her husband, Claudio Rego, who plays a significant role in her life both personally and professionally. “Our love is very strong,” she says. “He’s even a producer and musician on my new album.”
Donatella Rettore’s life story encapsulates maturity and resilience. Her honest and emotionally charged reflections on aging, loss and love resonate powerfully. Through it all, she maintains a spirit of defiance and a love for life that inspires and exemplifies the strength of the human spirit.
What advice does Donatella Rettore give to those who are struggling with life’s challenges?
## Interview with Donatella Rettore
**Interviewer:** Donatella, thank you for joining us today. You’ve always been known for your honest and open approach to life. Your recent interview with Serena Bortone on *Oggi è un altro giorno* touched on some deeply personal topics. Can you elaborate on your feelings about aging and the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
**Donatella Rettore:** (smiles thoughtfully) Aging is certainly a journey, and not always an easy one. We face loss, change, and the realization that time marches on regardless of our desires. But I’ve come to understand that aging also brings wisdom and a heightened appreciation for the simple joys in life.
Losing loved ones is never easy. It leaves a void that can be hard to fill. But through my grief, I’ve learned the importance of cherishing the memories and the time we had together. Those moments, those connections, they become even more precious with time.
**Interviewer:** You’ve spoken about your desire to ”celebrate life’s joys” despite the challenges. What advice would you give to others who might be struggling with similar feelings?
**Donatella Rettore:** I think it’s crucial to remember that life is a balance of light and dark. We can’t always control the circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them.
Embrace the good times fully, cherish your loved ones, find joy in the little things. And when darkness comes, know that it too shall pass. Seek support from those around you, lean on your strength, and keep moving forward with courage.
As I said in my interview with Serena [1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEs4N0rqn4w), I consider myself an “anti-diva.” I don’t believe in dwelling on negativity or taking myself too seriously.
Life is a gift, and it’s meant to be lived to the fullest, with passion, joy, and a healthy dose of humility.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Donatella, for these inspiring words. It’s clear that your perspective on life is both insightful and empowering.
