Lijepo li je Hrvat biti 🇭🇷
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Croatia has come a long way since gaining independence in 1991.
The 20th century was brutal: two world wars, fascism, Nazism, 45 years of communism, and finally the War of Independence in the 1990s.
People complain about life’s hardships today, but whenever I catch myself complaining, I remember how blessed I am to live in peaceful times.
I only need to compare my life with my father’s.
When he was 21, the War of Independence began. He was completing compulsory military service in the Yugoslav army in the middle of Serbia. One night, he escaped over a fence, crossed an orchard, and traveled through Hungary and Slovenia to return to his island of Rab. He then joined the Croatian army and went to war.
When I was 21, I was studying at one of Europe’s oldest universities in Portugal. I spent my days reading Austrian economics and my nights drinking vinho tinto. A slightly easier life than my father had.
At 25, my father served in the police force maintaining peace after Operation Storm and guarding against terrorist attacks.
At 25, I had traveled to 20 countries while building an online business. Again, a slightly easier life.
At 28, my father had to take out a huge interest loan just to buy his family a washing machine.
Now that I am 28, I have no financial worries. I am building a family with my wife, growing Antešić Family Wealth, and continuing to travel. Once again, a much easier life than my father had.
We live in peace and prosperity because we stand on the shoulders of giants—our families.
That is why I am grateful for life and try never to complain.
My wife and I are building family wealth, while I help families across Europe and the United States do the same.
Croatia is now a highly attractive country: a member of the EU and NATO, with a growing economy, a returning diaspora, and one of the world’s strongest passports.
During a recent business trip to the US, I encouraged American colleagues of Croatian heritage to pursue Croatian citizenship. They have nothing to lose and much to gain.
Today, I primarily help American families manage their investments and plan their financial futures. I find this especially meaningful because I know how much Croatian Americans helped our homeland.
Many Croats who emigrated to the US in the late 1800's and in the 20th century became financially successful. American Croatians helped Croatia a lot during the War of Independence in the 1990s by actively funding military and humanitarian aid.
The best way to honor my father’s generation—and everyone in Croatia and abroad who stood beside them—is to use the peace they secured for us well: to raise strong families, build honest businesses, preserve our culture, and leave Croatia stronger for the next generation.
To all Croatians at home and around the world: Happy Victory Day! 🇭🇷
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📍 Kali, Ugljan Island, Croatia