Public opinion across the entire country remains shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of Lena Samara, daughter of Antonis Samaras and his wife, Georgia Kritikou.
“On Monday, August 11, we will bid farewell to our Lena, at the Holy Church of Saints Theodore at the First Cemetery of Athens, at 13:00,” announced Antonis Samaras himself, around 2 p.m. today, with a post on the X platform.
An epileptic seizure, which was caused by a probable cerebrovascular hemorrhage, appears to have forced doctors at Athens’ “Sismanoglio” hospital to order the emergency transfer of the former prime minister’s daughter, Lena Samara, to Athens’ “Evangelismos” hospital, so that she could be hospitalized intubated in the institution’s intensive care unit (ICU). Lena could not survive…
The greatest tragedy struck Antonis Samaras and his wife, Georgia Kritikou, last night when Lena Samara suffered cardiac arrest and died at “Evangelismos,” at just 34 years old. Lena’s father and mother were in an adjacent room of the institution when their daughter drew her last breath.
It is worth noting that the development of Lena’s health condition was so rapid that her two transfers, initially to “Sismanoglio” and then to “Evangelismos,” were carried out by private means and not by ambulances from the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV). Doctors made tireless and superhuman efforts to keep Lena alive, but in vain…
It should be noted, however, that one in 100 epileptic seizures annually cannot be reversed and leads even to the death of people who are usually burdened with other underlying diseases. If the patient does not chronically suffer from epilepsy, the epileptic seizure can be caused even by bleeding in the brain. In this case, the cause of death is not epilepsy, but the cerebrovascular episode or other cause that triggered the epileptic seizure.
What the 1st Health Region of Attica says
However, in any case, the administration of the 1st Health Region (YPE) of Attica issued the following announcement this afternoon:
“Patient E.S. was transported by ambulance on 7/8 around 13:00 to the Emergency Department of G.N.A. SISMANOGLIO during the morning shift, where she was examined by a team of doctors (neurologist, pathologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist) and complete neurological, pathological, cardiological and ophthalmological assessment was performed.
After complete clinical, laboratory and imaging examination was completed, transfer to a neurological clinic was deemed necessary. The patient was transferred stabilized by ambulance with medical escort to G.N.A. “Evangelismos” hospital and was admitted to the hospital’s Neurological Clinic for further investigation and treatment.
During the investigation of the causes of her condition, the patient presented rapid deterioration and despite the superhuman efforts of the hospital’s medical and nursing staff, the patient died on 07/08 at 22:29″.
Entire political world “bows” to the tragedy
“Heartfelt condolences and courage to former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his family during these heartbreaking hours,” notes President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas in his condolence message.
With a post, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his grief for the death of Lena Samara. “Every word proves small and weak against the magnitude of such mourning,” he characteristically noted in his post and added: “The sudden and so unfair loss of Lena Samara shocks us all. Mareva and my thoughts are with Antonis and Georgia. Their pain is our pain. Courage…”
“The mind cannot comprehend this about Lena Samara! We are all shocked by the loss of the 34-year-old woman. My thoughts, everyone’s thoughts, are with her parents, Antonis and Georgia! May God give them strength,” wrote Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias also expressed his condolences: “My sincere condolences to Georgia and Antonis Samaras for the loss of their daughter, Lena”.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis wrote: “Unbearable pain. The greatest. Words are poor in the face of such a tragic event. Sincere condolences to Antonis Samaras and his family. Courage and strength”.
“The sudden loss of Antonis and Georgia Samaras’ beloved daughter shocked us. My sincere condolences. Courage and strength. My thoughts are with them”, wrote PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis on X.
“With sincere sadness I express my warm condolences to Antonis Samaras and his family for the loss of their beloved daughter, Lena. Faced with this tragic loss and the unspeakable burden for the parents, I wish strength and courage to him and his family”, wrote SYRIZA leader Sokratis Famellos on X.
A condolence message also from KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoubas: “My sincere condolences to Antonis Samaras, his wife Georgia and their family for the tragic loss of their beloved daughter, Lena. At these moments words are excessive, only courage and strength to all”.
Democratic Movement president Stefanos Kasselakis wrote in his post: “At such moments words are poor. I express my deep condolences to the family of Antonis and Georgia Samaras for the loss of their daughter, Lena”.
“The news of the unexpected death of Lena Samara shocks us all. I express my sincere condolences to her parents, Antonis and Georgia, as well as to all her loved ones”, former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in his condolence message for the loss of Lena Samara.
Who was Lena
Eleni-Danae Samara had taken the name of her grandmother Eleni-Lena Zanna. She was the great-great-granddaughter of author Penelope Delta and granddaughter of “Evangelismos” cardiologist Konstantinos Samaras.
In 2008 she had graduated from Athens College. One of her closest friends, from then until today, was Lilian – Venetia Vildiridi, who today is the General Secretary of Health Services of the Ministry of Health, who rushed to “Evangelismos” as soon as the tragic news became known, in order to see her beloved and best friend Lena for the last time.
Lena’s passion was tennis. In 2007 she had participated in the Athens College student team in the Heart-to-Heart Partnership Program, an event organized by the Greek embassy in Beijing in anticipation of the 2008 Olympic Games.
She then followed in her mother’s professional footsteps and studied civil engineering at City University London.
Lena Samara was by her father’s side in January 2009, when he took over the Ministry of Culture, just as she was later when Antonis Samaras was elected to the presidency of New Democracy.
