Aldona Jankowska proves again that he can talk about himself bluntly and at the same time with great self-irony. In a conversation with Michał Misiorek, she honestly admits that her pension is “PLN 1,800 plus”, although she does not treat it for a moment as a reason to complain. Her story shows a lot of distance, life wisdom and the belief that creative freedom is worth more than financial stability.
The actress doesn’t beat around the bush. When asked about the amount of his pension, he answers directly and without the slightest hesitation. She explains that the low amount is not a surprise to her, because for most of her professional life she chose projects based on creative freedom, not a stable job. She recalls that the ability to decide about her own life was always more important to her than the sense of security provided by permanent employment. She adds that she does not regret any decision and would choose exactly the same path today.
There is no regret in her voice, rather peace and reconciliation with the fact that her professional path led through artistic challenges that were not always associated with high pension contributions. As she says, thanks to this freedom she has experienced many special moments, and this is first on her list of values.
The conversation also brings up the topic of complexes, and Jankowska approaches it with surprising sincerity. She admits that when she was younger, she struggled to maintain her impeccable appearance just like many women in the industry. In hindsight, he looks at it with a smile and distance. Observing young actresses, she notices a similar pattern – restrictive diets, a lot of work on their appearance and pressure, which she remembers well.
Today, there is no longer any need to hide your age. She speaks openly about him, and being sixty has not made much of an impression on her. It was much more difficult for her to get through her fiftieth birthday when she realized that a lot of her life was behind her. Ultimately, however, she remembers this moment with humor, especially since her family organized a party for her, which she still talks about with a smile
The actress has a great sense of humor, especially when the conversation turns to stereotypes about age and attractiveness. She emphasizes that, despite popular beliefs, she does not feel invisible. In her opinion, family and friendship bonds acquire a completely different depth with age, becoming calmer and more conscious. In turn, male-female relationships are no longer as important as they used to be, which does not mean that they disappear completely. They simply fade into the background, giving way to other values.
With characteristic wit, she recalls a friend who constantly talked to her about younger women. When he finally heard that she was also not interested in men his age, he was almost outraged. This scene perfectly reflects her temperament and how she can turn stereotypes to her advantage.
Although she is officially retired, the thought of leaving the stage seems foreign to her. She emphasizes that playing is not only a profession, but above all a part of her identity. Her creativity gives her energy and a sense of meaning, and contact with the audience – as she notes – is the best proof that she still has viewers who want to watch her.
She also does not hide the fact that retirement would not allow her to support herself, but she does not talk about it with bitterness. On the contrary, she treats it as a natural consequence of the decisions she has made throughout her life. When he says he wants to work until the end, it sounds as passionate as it is sincere gratitude for still being able to do what he loves.