Dragan Stankovic Proposes to Girlfriend on 50th Birthday
The proposal was the surprise of the night in Grocka: the businessman known as Serbia's bread king knelt before guests and put a ring on partner Aleksandra's finger. Four singers performed.
Businessman Dragan Stankovic, known publicly as “the bread king,” proposed to his partner Aleksandra last night at his 50th birthday celebration at a villa in Grocka. He got down on one knee in front of family and guests, took out a ring and put it on her hand. She said yes.
Aleksandra showed the ring to guests the moment she said yes, and they answered with applause. A playful moment followed right away: the birthday man picked her up and carried her toward the pool as if he were about to throw her in, then set her down and kissed her.
The couple spent the rest of the evening together, receiving congratulations from family and friends.
How long have Dragan and Aleksandra been together?
Three months. They first appeared together in public in mid May, at a Vesna Zmijanac concert, and have since shared photos from their outings on social media.
From that first public appearance to the ring, in other words, less than three months passed. No wedding date has been announced.
Red carpet, a harp at the gate, black and gold tables
The celebration was held at a venue now called Villa AS, formerly known as Jovana. The courtyard with the pool was decorated in a black and gold scheme, a red carpet led to the entrance, and a woman playing a harp greeted guests at the gate. A photo backdrop was set up right at the entrance.
Crystal candlesticks and small cards carrying a message from the host stood on the tables:
Life is not measured in years, but in the people who make it worth living. Thank you for being here with me tonight
The same card was placed on every table in the courtyard.
Among the first to arrive were Stankovic’s son and daughter in law. Informer editor in chief Dragan J. Vucicevic arrived later.
Who performed at the Grocka celebration?
The evening’s music was carried by four singers:
- Indira Radic
- Olja Karleusa
- Stoja
- Jovana Tipsin
Indira Radic sang into the birthday man’s ear. When Stankovic offered her a tip, she turned it down and told him to give the money to the band instead. He did.
Two flags and a banner in the courtyard
While Jovana Tipsin performed “Veseli se, srpski rode” (Rejoice, Serbian People), the host and his son unfurled two large Serbian flags and waved them. Some of the guests stood up and sang along.
A banner reading “Serbia Wins” was on display as well. The national symbols were not an improvisation that night, they were part of the decor arranged in advance, just like the candlesticks and the carpet at the entrance, so the song arrived at a moment when the flags were already at hand.
What the engagement changes
Stankovic earned the nickname “the bread king” from the bakery business on which he built his company, and for years he has ranked among the more successful domestic businessmen. Until now he had been known publicly for that business and for celebrations people talk about afterward. Last night, in front of cameras, he made a move from his private life that carries a sequel, since a wedding follows an engagement.
The villa where he celebrated has itself already changed its name once. The building once called Jovana now carries the monogram AS, the same monogram that stood on the backdrop where guests posed for photos at the entrance.
What the celebration reveals is the guest list. If a birthday party brings together four singers, the editor in chief of Informer and the host’s entire family, a wedding is unlikely to be a small affair.
Until then, what remains is what was seen last night: a ring, two flags, a harp at the gate and a message on a card that every guest took home.
