Olga Palinkaš

Born in 1941 in Zagreb, Olga Palinkaš, known by her artistic name Oja Kodar, is a Croatian actress, screenwriter, and director, acclaimed for her contributions to Yugoslav cinema. She is best known as the lifelong muse and lover of Orson Welles, who discovered her in a Zagreb hotel in 1961. Their passionate relationship spanned decades, and she played significant roles in his films while also pursuing her own artistic career, including sculpting. Oja's independence was a hallmark of her character, as she chose not to marry Welles, preferring to maintain her identity as an artist. Today, at 84, she resides in Primošten, Croatia.