Greek actors Emilios Chilakis and Athena Maximou, married for nearly 20 years and together for 21, have spoken about the origins of their relationship, their decision not to have children, and their shared dream of growing old on the island of Kythira.
The couple's story began in 2004, when Chilakis went to the Lambeti Theatre to watch Maximou perform in Marivaux's play, known in Greek as "Psevtoypiretra." He has said he could not take his eyes off her that night. Maximou, for her part, had already noticed him years earlier after seeing him in the film "Apontes" (Absent) and had been impressed. The two had actually been introduced before, through actor and director Nikos Karathanos, but nothing came of it at the time.
How the relationship began
The real spark came when they met again in 2004. Chilakis has admitted the intensity of his feelings frightened him, since he had not expected, at 34, to experience such a powerful love. He pulled back for a while, but a few months later they found themselves in the same production, "If on a Winter's Night," staged by the Municipal Regional Theatre of Patras (DIPETHE). There they got to know each other properly, and from January 2005 they became a couple and have not separated since.
The decision to marry followed before long. In an earlier interview, Maximou revealed that the proposal came in an unconventional way. Chilakis was in New York for months at the time and sent her a text message essentially informing her that the woman they had chosen as best woman had already agreed, and all that remained was the bride's answer.
The wedding on Island
The couple married on October 1, 2006, in the small chapel of Agios Dionysios on Island, with Mirella Papaoikonomou as best woman. They chose to keep the day away from publicity, and no photographs from the ceremony were ever released.
This year, ahead of their 20th wedding anniversary, Chilakis again described that day as one of the most beautiful memories of his life. He said his wedding to Maximou was the finest moment of his life, that the memory was like one big party, and that on October 1 they would mark 20 years together. He recalled that around 200 people had been there with them, and said that on that day the couple promised each other to stay together through hard times, a promise he believes they have kept ever since. He added that the wedding took place in the chapel on Island with about 200 guests, and that he and Athena had made and kept that promise.
Not having children and facing criticism
Their years together have not been without difficult moments. One especially personal chapter involved the question of having children. In a joint interview with OK! magazine, the couple revealed that after their own attempts to become parents, they seriously considered adoption. The process lasted about a year and a half and, as Maximou admitted, proved emotionally painful. At some point they decided together to close that chapter, and now approach the younger people they work with as figures they can pass experience, care and knowledge on to.
Chilakis has also spoken openly about the social pressure the couple faced for not having children. Appearing on the show "Studio 4," he said he and Maximou had experienced bullying for exactly that reason, noting that even heterosexual couples without children are often told they cannot be considered a "family" or are not entitled to an opinion on certain matters. He described the repeatedly asked interview question about when they would have a child as especially painful.
Speaking on the programme "Kalytera Arga" with Athanaida Nega, Chilakis said he considers his wife and their dog to be his family, adding that no one can question that bond. He said they are a family, himself, his wife and their dog, that they did not have children, that they could not at first and later did not want to, and that the matter was closed, but they remain a family.
Onstage together again
Over the years the couple have learned to protect their relationship without pretending tension or disagreement never arise. Chilakis has said that even when they clash, they try not to dismiss one another, and their disagreements often end in laughter. He has said they are still charmed by each other, crediting the relationship's endurance to respect, admiration and acceptance of each other's different personalities. Maximou, for her part, has said one of the things she loves most about her husband is that he gives her space to grow and become better.
Theatre remains one of the strongest bonds between them. They have worked together onstage many times, and Chilakis has said he would want to work with Maximou even if she were not his wife, because he deeply admires her as an actress. In 2026 the two are back onstage together in Akis Dimou's play "Takounia ston Valto," staged on the rooftop of the Lambeti Theatre, the same venue where their personal story began more than two decades ago.
A shared dream in Kythira
If the couple share one dream for the years ahead, it lies far from the noise of the city. Chilakis recently said on the programme "Proian se Idon" that he dreams of growing old with Maximou on the island of Kythira, spending increasing amounts of time there. He said he wants to spend the last years of his life somewhere he will not need to prove anything.
After more than 20 years together, the way Chilakis speaks about his wife may still say it best: he has said the joy he felt the first time he saw her is the same joy he still feels waking up beside her.
