Czech cultural and sports ministers have proposed bestowing state honors upon the late actress Jana Brejchová, according to a report on Monday from the Ministry of Culture spokesperson Barbora Šťastná. The ministers intend to discuss the proposal with the family.
Brejchová began her acting career at the age of 13 in 1953, and from the 1960s onward, collaborated with prominent directors such as Vojtěch Jasný, Jiří Krejčík, and Evald Schorm. Throughout her six-decade career, she appeared in over 100 films and television productions, earning numerous accolades.
Over the course of her 60-year acting career, she starred in more than 100 films. She was particularly well-known for her portrayal of Empress Elisabet in the musical *Noc na Karlštejně* (Night at Karlštejn Castle), alongside Vlastimil Brodský as Emperor Charles IV. Brodský was also, for a time, her life partner, and they had a daughter, Tereza, who followed in her parents’ footsteps.
Some of her most celebrated films include *Vlčí jáma* (The Wolf’s Pit), *Vyšší princip* (Higher Principle), *Každý den odvahu* (Every Day Courage), *Mladý muž a bílá velryba* (Young Man and the White Whale), *Zánik samoty Berhof* (The Demise of the Berhof Residence), and *Kráska v nesnázích* (Beauty in Trouble). In 2010, she received the Czech Lion Award for her extraordinary contribution to Czech cinema.
She worked in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, and graced the covers of international magazines.
A state funeral with honors was held in autumn 2019 for singer Karel Gott, and at the end of 2023, former Foreign Minister and ex-chancellor to President Václav Havel, Karel Schwarzenberg, was also honored with a state funeral after his family accepted the state’s offer.
A state funeral with honors involves fewer formalities than a full state funeral, which is reserved for exceptionally significant figures.
Czech authorities are considering a state funeral with honors for acclaimed actress Jana Brejchová, who passed away recently. The proposal, put forth by the Ministers of Culture and Sport on Monday, February 10, 2026, awaits discussion with the actress’s family.
Brejchová’s prolific career spanned six decades, beginning with her debut at age 13 in 1953. She became a fixture of Czech cinema, working with a who’s who of the country’s most celebrated directors, including Vojtěch Jasný, Jiří Krejčík, and Evald Schorm. Her extensive filmography boasts over 100 credits, solidifying her status as a national treasure.
Perhaps best known for her iconic role as Empress Elisabet in the beloved musical Noc na Karlštejně (Night at Karlštejn Castle), Brejchová captivated audiences alongside Vlastimil Brodský, who played Emperor Charles IV. The pair were also romantically linked and share a daughter, Tereza, who has continued the family legacy in the performing arts.
Among her many notable films are Vlčí jáma (The Wolf’s Pit), Vyšší princip (Higher Principle), Každý den odvahu (Every Day Courage), and Zánik samoty Berhof (The Demise of the Berhof Residence). Her contributions to Czech film were recognized in 2010 with a Czech Lion Award for lifetime achievement.
Brejchová’s talent extended beyond Czech borders, with work in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, and appearances in international publications. The potential state honors follow similar tributes given to singer Karel Gott in 2019 and former Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg in late 2023, demonstrating the nation’s respect for its cultural icons. A state funeral with honors is a less formal occasion than a full state funeral, reserved for figures of exceptional national importance.
