After 23 years of a shared life journey, Smaragda Karydi and Thodoris Atheridis decided to separate. The former couple has gone their separate ways; however, the end of their relationship came in a friendly atmosphere, and they continue to maintain good relations.

The two actors were one of the most beloved couples in Greek show business and always spoke highly of one another. Referring to how he met the actress, Thodoris Atheridis had previously stated: “With Smaragda, it wasn’t luck. Life brings it about that two people meet at a time when they have common needs. For me, luck is like a secret plan of God, in the sense of the mysterious. I believe that things are organized in a certain way and that there is a plan for this.”

Last October, Smaragda Karydi spoke about the support on which her relationship with Thodoris Atheridis was based. The actress mentioned that his attitude was decisive in her turning to directing, as he believed in her abilities long before she herself did.

At the same time, Smaragda Karydi admitted that at times she was timid and prone to avoiding effort—traits that made her more cautious about taking initiatives. The actress was a guest on Thursday, October 16, on the show “Breakfast@Star,” where, among other things, she spoke about her relationship with the actor. Answering a question about whether Thodoris Atheridis advises her professionally, she replied: “He doesn’t advise me, but in general he supports me and believes in me a lot. He was telling me to direct many years before I dared to do it. I was late to do it because sometimes I have a bad combination—avoidance, timidity, laziness. All of that together. Even though I work very hard, there’s also that, because people are not just one thing.”

In another interview, the actress stated that no one should be taken for granted and that a long-term relationship requires daily effort. Smaragda Karydi notably said that she “hasn’t tied her donkey” when asked whether she feels secure in terms of partnership. In the interview she gave to OK! magazine, Smaragda Karydi said she does not view her relationship with the mindset of lifelong commitment. Specifically, she said: “I haven’t tied my donkey. I can’t say that the issue is resolved. No one is a given in this life. You are constantly striving. The only way to stay with someone for a very long time, at least according to my character, is not to say it’s a lifelong commitment. You look at each day separately. That’s also how I quit smoking. I said that day by day I would say, ‘I won’t smoke.’ That has lasted since 2008. There’s no need to label things in advance. That’s how you end up stuck.”

For his part, Thodoris Atheridis gave an in-depth interview last January and, among other things, spoke about his relationship with Smaragda Karydi. The actor, who was a guest on the show “Proino,” confessed that he is in love with her even after the 22 years they have been a couple, noting that when there is respect and admiration within a relationship, passion remains alive. “After a few years, the sexual passion of coming together fades, but if you respect and admire the other person, it never goes away. It does change, of course—it becomes more tender—but above all, what keeps a relationship going is admiration and respect for the other person. We still say that about each other…,” he said.