Slovakian media personality Rasto Sokol says he’s enjoying parenthood more now than he did three decades ago. The veteran entertainer shared insights into his personal and professional life in a recent interview.
Sokol’s voice is well-known throughout Slovakia, and he’s a regular presence in dubbing studios. He was even recording lines for a Turkish television series during the interview.
“The character I’m dubbing is a doctor, and the plot is quite complicated – his ex-girlfriend had a son with him, and he only found out about it when the boy was almost 25 years old. Now he wants to get to recognize him. It’s a really dramatic telenovela, but Turkish productions are good at that,” Sokol told Najmama.sk.
Audiences also see Sokol on screen in the JOJ television show Dobre vedieť!, which recently returned with a new lineup of team captains. Alongside Zuzka Šebová and Juraj Loj, the show blends trivia with humor.
The interview delved into Sokol’s personal life, covering topics such as:
- what it’s like raising a young son when his older children are in their thirties
- unique rituals that strengthen his bond with his son
- the unusual story behind his daughter’s wedding
- why the presenter isn’t rushing to the altar with his partner after many years
Dobre vedieť! has returned to the airwaves on Television JOJ. How is it working with the new team and captains?
I’m very happy that the show has been renewed. Over the years it was off the air, people constantly stopped me on the street or contacted me asking when Dobre vedieť! would be back. I’m grateful to Television JOJ for moving forward with it and giving me the opportunity to continue.
As for the team, Juraj Kemka, Robo Jakab, and Vladimír Kobielsky were part of the previous lineup. Now, for the first time, we have a female captain. Zuzka Šebová had a stint on the show previously, and JOJ decided to give her another chance.
It creates a wonderful dynamic, a playful competition between men and women. Zuzka is great at making fun of herself. Ďuro is an elegant gentleman, but he can also deliver a witty remark. They are both excellent actors and people.
Do you personally enjoy trivia competitions?
Yes, I enjoy various activities of that kind in my private life as well. What’s great about competitions is that you learn information you wouldn’t have thought to look up on Google. Our production team does incredible work – finding compelling facts that aren’t widely known and coming up with three funny answers so that any of them could be correct.
My biggest challenge as a host is not revealing the answer. I know the answers in advance, so I often laugh to myself and would love to shout, “Good grief, what nonsense you’re talking about, this is the right answer!” But I have to maintain decorum and can’t help them.
You’re also enjoying fun at home. After turning 50, you became a father again, and you’re fully enjoying your son?
Kubko turned four in July. He’s an incredible boy, I love that child. I also have older children from my first marriage – Maťo is 35 and Lucka is 30 years old.
Kubko was an unexpected ‘covid baby.’ He was born at a time when my age was starting to show, but when I saw that ‘bundle’ in the hospital, it completely revitalized me. He came at the right time, in the middle of the general depression from covid. In the 90s, I may not have devoted as much time to my children as I wanted to because of work, so I’m really enjoying this now.
Are you a strict father, or can your son easily soften you up?
I’m definitely the stricter one. Kubko is a real ‘mommy’s boy.’ He ‘cuddles’ with his mother, and with me, it’s more like boyish conversations. We have a morning ritual – we get up at six, I make coffee, he comes with his pillow, I make him milk, and we spend half an hour watching YouTube or talking.
He loves cars. At four years old, he knows all the brands, and we’re now discussing engines, six-cylinders, and eight-cylinders. Whenever I approach home from work, he asks, ‘Dad, did you buy me a car?’ When I say I only bought yogurt, he’s disappointed (laughs).
Is he going to kindergarten?
Yes, he started in September. Honestly, I was looking forward to having a little time to myself in the morning when everyone goes to work and school/kindergarten. My partner was a little sad about it, but he was excited to be with other children.
Your partner Erika has a teenage son from a previous relationship. You also have two older children. How do they get along? The age difference is significant…
My partner’s son, Marko, is now going through puberty, it’s a different world. He and Kubko sometimes play soccer, but they have their own interests. My older children have their own lives. There was a brief moment of jealousy with my daughter Lucka after Kubko was born, after all, it’s a ‘second family,’ but now everything is fine.
Lucka got married in the fall, and I’m incredibly happy. She’s 30 now, a successful animator, and she found a great man. They met, paradoxically, through her mother, who was Lucka’s therapist. Slovakia is a compact country.
And what about you and marriage? After all these years with your partner, are you planning to make it official?
My daughter asked me that too. My mother got married because of us, the children, so that we would all have the same surname. With us, my son’s surname is Sokol, I’m Sokol, but my partner has a different surname. Maybe we’ll address it someday for Kubko’s sake, but we’re not pushing it right now. I’m not rushing into marriage. My older son, Maťo, is 35 and isn’t asking for it either (laughs). The main thing is that we’re all healthy and happy.
More photos of the popular presenter and his family can be found in our photo gallery:
