Exclusive Interview - Athina Oikonomakou: A Success Built Beyond Appearances
- Amani Aggoun
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
Athina Oikonomakou’s journey reflects a success that goes beyond her public image: that of an actress, entrepreneur, and woman deeply connected to her roots and values, offering a more intimate perspective on her path.
A celebrated actress in Greece, entrepreneur, and mother of two, Athina Oikonomakou has built a career in which success is measured not by visibility alone, but by the ability to remain true to oneself. In this exclusive interview, she reflects on identity, creativity, motherhood, and her ongoing search for balance between the many roles that shape her life.
Her Greek roots remain central to her story. They are not something she consciously seeks to promote, but rather a constant presence that informs every decision she makes. Born in Skala, Laconia, a small town in the southern Peloponnese, she remembers a childhood defined by simplicity, freedom, endless days spent outdoors, and a natural ease in connecting with others. She describes those years as a "simple and carefree" childhood, filled with swimming, ice cream, and long summer days playing with other children. Looking back, she now sees that simplicity as one of the foundations of who she has become.
Yet beneath those happy memories lay a strong sense of responsibility. With a father often away at sea for work and a mother determined to instill discipline and strong values, Athina grew up believing she had to be the perfect child. Today, she speaks openly about what she calls the "good girl syndrome"—the tendency to meet everyone else's expectations before listening to her own needs. At seventeen, moving to Athens marked a profound turning point. The rhythm of the capital contrasted sharply with the slower pace of her childhood, yet her roots continued to keep her grounded.
"My roots have always kept me grounded, no matter how much my life changed."
For Athina, Greece is above all a feeling. When asked to describe it, three words immediately come to mind: light, emotion, and hospitality. She speaks of a country where human connections remain essential, where relationships are lived intensely, and where expressing emotions comes naturally.
She also offers a thoughtful perspective on the evolution of Greek society, particularly regarding the role of women, which she believes is still shaped by the tension between cultural traditions and the desire for greater independence. To her, the ability to evolve without losing one's identity is one of Greece's greatest strengths.
"I believe that the more at peace someone is with themselves, the less they feel the need to prove anything to others." — Athina Oikonomakou
Finding Her Path Through Creativity and Commitment
Acting was not always part of the plan. After being accepted to the Agricultural University of Athens, Athina quickly realized that the path she had chosen did not reflect who she truly was. She had always felt an innate need to create and express herself in different ways. Her mother had long recognized her artistic sensitivity and encouraged her to audition for Mimi Denissi's Central Stage Drama School. It was there that she discovered an environment where she instantly felt she belonged."It was the first time I felt so emotionally and creatively connected to something."
A few years later, chance accelerated her professional journey. While accompanying friends to a casting audition, she was unexpectedly invited to audition herself. Just days later, she signed her very first acting contract. Soon afterward, she landed the role of Xenia Pappa in the television series Deligianneio Parthenagogeio, a character that truly marked the beginning of her career. Success came quickly, bringing with it the reality of becoming a young actress suddenly thrust into the public eye.
She recalls an intense work schedule, often lasting twelve to fifteen hours a day, but also a period of tremendous personal and professional growth. Ironically, because her character wore a wig, many people struggled to recognize her in everyday life. "It was the hardest experience of my life, but also the one that shaped me the most."
Those years taught her resilience, discipline, and a conviction that continues to guide her today: nothing lasting is built without commitment.
A Multifaceted Life Without Chasing Perfection
Today, Athina divides her time between acting, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. Yet she has no desire to project the image of a woman who effortlessly masters everything. For her, balance is never fixed—it changes with each stage of life. Motherhood has profoundly reshaped her priorities. Her children are now at the very center of her life, naturally influencing every decision she makes.
"My children are my emotional center, and everything else adjusts around them."
She speaks candidly about the pressures women face, the exhaustion, the unrealistic expectations, and the importance of learning to be kinder to oneself. Over time, the pursuit of perfection has given way to a deeper appreciation for presence, authenticity, and what truly matters.This shift has also transformed her understanding of success. Today, success is no longer simply about achieving or building something—it is about creating work that carries genuine meaning.
Creating With a Distinct Identity
Her entrepreneurial journey developed naturally as an extension of her artistic vision. Through Project SOMA, her "Made in Greece" fashion brand, she champions a contemporary Greek aesthetic defined by clean lines, minimalism, and timeless design.Supporting Greek production is, for her, a deeply considered choice, even when it comes with additional challenges. Entrepreneurship is not merely a business venture, but another way to express creativity while building projects with a strong sense of identity.
Her ventures in Milan—including the wellness hub Wome Milano and the sneaker brand Evenu Milano—reflect her desire to broaden her horizons while maintaining the same high standards. Through these initiatives, she seeks not simply growth, but meaningful impact. That philosophy also explains her involvement with the charitable organization Slums Dunk, whose mission aligns with her own desire to contribute to projects that create genuine social value.
Simplicity as an Anchor
Despite her public profile, Athina remains deeply attached to a life rooted in simplicity. Her family, upbringing, and close relationships continue to provide the balance she values most. She considers humility to be one of the most precious human qualities, admiring those who accomplish extraordinary things while remaining approachable and genuinely connected to others. Although audiences often associate her with dramatic roles, she admits that comedy is where she feels most at home.
"The truth is, I feel very close to comedy. Humor and sarcasm are such strong parts of my personality, and comedic roles are probably where I feel the freest and most like myself."
That sense of freedom is also what continues to draw her to acting: the opportunity to avoid being confined to a single identity, to explore different emotions, and to discover new dimensions of herself.
A Public Presence Guided by Authenticity
Highly active on social media, Athina is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with public visibility. She rejects the idea of portraying a flawless life and instead strives to share a more honest reflection of reality. She champions truth, accountability, and emotional honesty, particularly for the young women who follow her.
"We don't need to be perfect to be worthy."
Representing Greece internationally is a source of pride, provided she can convey a contemporary image that moves beyond stereotypes. She hopes to embody a modern vision of Greek womanhood—dynamic, sensitive, hardworking, and deeply human.
Moving Forward Despite Doubt
Like anyone who chooses to change direction or follow a deeply held intuition, Athina has experienced fear and uncertainty. She does not believe these feelings disappear with time, but rather that we learn to move forward despite them.
"The greatest failure is never trying."
Her journey reflects precisely that willingness to embrace change, question herself, and continually redefine her path. Behind the public figure is a woman who continues to learn, to doubt, and to seek harmony between ambition and personal values.
Her happiest moments, however, remain beautifully simple: spending time with her family, sharing moments with close friends, returning to Greece each summer, and enjoying the company of those she loves. She describes herself as someone profoundly devoted to human connection, with an essential need for peace, sincerity, and authentic relationships—values that still connect her to the young girl from Skala she once was.
Success Beyond Appearances
Over the years, Athina has learned to place her values before appearances. Respect, dignity, perseverance, hard work, and inner peace have become the foundations upon which she has built her life. After fourteen years of psychotherapy and personal growth, she came to understand that genuine happiness lies in aligning what we feel, what we think, and how we choose to live.
In a world that seems to move ever faster, she advocates a different approach: slowing down, reconnecting with oneself, and choosing a more mindful way of living. Perhaps that best defines Athina Oikonomakou—a woman who has built a multifaceted career without ever losing touch with her roots; an artist and entrepreneur who continues to move forward without compromising her authenticity.
Grateful to the Greece that shaped her, she carries with her the spirit of a land defined by light, emotion, and deep human connection—a heritage that remains her compass, even as life's paths evolve.
To those who follow her journey, she leaves a simple message: believe in your potential, embrace challenges, and dare to move forward, even when fear is present.
"If there's one thing I'd like people to take away from my journey, it's that you really can achieve things that once seemed impossibly far away—as long as you're willing to work for them, endure the challenges, and take the leap, even when you're afraid."
Final version of the article: Victoria di Cala (BC)
