Donalda Surduck, the doctor and cousin of Parashqevi Simaku, is the first family member to shed light on her situation. In a message to Mrs. Mira Kazhani, she revealed Parashqevi’s health struggles, her separation from her husband, and the loss of her mother a year ago.
Can We Help Parashqevi?
In her message, Donalda explained that they have lost contact with Parashqevi for many years and revealed her difficult health condition.
Excerpt from Donalda’s message to Mrs. Mira Kazhani:
“Hello Mrs. Mira, I am a relative of Parashqevi’s, and we have lost contact for a long time. The latest information I have is that she has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, which has affected her mental and physical state, making her less clear-minded.”
She also mentioned that Parashqevi has been separated from her husband for a long time. He was awarded custody of their son, which led him to settle in America to stay close to the child.
Additionally, Donalda referred to the loss of Parashqevi’s mother a year ago, who passed away alone and with sadness for her daughter.
A story filled with grief and challenges for Parashqevi and her family.
We thank you for this initiative, and perhaps it is still possible to find and support her.
Thank you.
Parashqevi Simaku is undoubtedly one of the icons of 1980s Albanian music. She won the hearts of her audience with her melodious voice, beauty, charm, and elegance. Parashqevi began her musical journey at the age of 14, participating in numerous festivals that fans eagerly anticipated, earning multiple first-place awards.
Parashqevi Simaku, beloved by Albanians, left Albania in 1992. No news was heard from her until her return in 1997 to participate in the Festival of Song and to give a concert in Albania. It was a challenging time, as Albania was embroiled in conflict.
She once gave an interview to journalist Rudina Xhunga at the Rogner Hotel on February 14, 1997. Despite the war in Albania, the conversation largely focused on the theme of love. However, the interview was never published at the time because the newspaper “Koha Jonë” was burned on March 2, 1997. It was later fully published after the newspaper’s reopening on May 4, 1997.
Since that time, Parashqevi Simaku has remained silent, and no one knows what became of her afterward. One thing is certain, though: she is still beloved in Albania.
Is there a date that you particularly treasure?
Yes, Valentine’s Day. On February 14, 1996, Robert, my husband, proposed to me. That evening in February, he invited me to the Xhons restaurant in Beverly Hills, where he gave me his family ring. I later learned that Marilyn Monroe had also gotten married at that same restaurant.
How did you two meet?
I didn’t have a romantic relationship prior because the only love that has ever grown in me—and one that I believe will never fade—is my love for music. However, family always holds a very special place in my life.
Our acquaintance came about because of a shared professional endeavor. He was a musician, playing the guitar and singing in a band of six musicians, while I was a singer. As we were putting the finishing touches on my album, one day he asked me if I would like to go out with him.
My immediate response was “yes,” but a Albanian woman doesn’t always say “yes” right away, even when living in America. I recall telling him something like: “Work with me, or fall in love with me.” His response was that he wasn’t fond of separating the two. He is very charming, and despite my initial hesitations, I explained to him that he needed to respect my cultural traditions first—meaning he would need to ask my parents for permission in the traditional way, through a letter.
At first, this idea didn’t sit well with him, but as he began writing a very long letter, it started to feel somewhat entertaining to him. He felt a spiritual obligation toward two strangers, and this fascinated him. My parents responded to his letter two weeks later. After being introduced to his family, a new life began for both of us—a shared life that feels as though it will last forever. Over time, I’ve come to understand that sharing life with someone as wonderful as Robert is truly worth it.
Robert is incredible. But what makes him incredible—is it his physical attractiveness, or are there other, invisible traits that make him so special to me?
It’s difficult to talk about your own husband, but the most important thing about Robert is his sensitivity, the warmth he brings into my life, and the love he offers.
Did you always dream of having a partner like him?
I once wrote a list of ten qualities that I wanted my future husband to have. Robert has 13.
When you left Albania in 1992, were you convinced that no one would ever measure up to your list of expectations?
I left Albania heartbroken from a relationship with a person who seemed to be heading in a completely different direction from mine. Despite my efforts, I realized that our paths would never align. I sacrificed my pain to venture into the unknown—not aimlessly, as my guiding ambition had always been to pursue a career in the arts.
Is Robert Albanian-American?
He has been American for 100 generations,- she continued…
Today, a video posted by journalist Blendi Fevziu—taken from the American television network ABC 7—showed a woman interacting with children, receiving a “Blessing Backpack” intended for the homeless. In the video, the woman, who bears a striking resemblance to a famous singer, introduces herself as “Simaku Nolfe.” This is actually her ex-husband’s surname, Robert Nolfe. This has led the Albanian community in the United States to connect her identity with her ex-husband’s name.
CREATED by:
“KORÇA BOOM”
