Lena Marinkovic on Trzan Surname: “It Will Happen Soon”

Lena Marinkovic is changing her surname to Trzan. The daughter of singer Goca Trzan and reality TV personality Ivan Marinkovic confirmed the move publicly for the first time on August 13, in a comment beneath her own Instagram post.

It started with a question from a follower, who wrote under one of her photos: “Isn’t it Lena Trzan?”

Her reply fit into two words.

“It will happen soon,” Lena Marinkovic wrote.

Trzan is her mother’s maiden name. By taking it, Lena would formally cut her last remaining tie to her father, with whom she has had no contact for years. Her reply quickly drew a large number of likes and supportive comments.

Why Is Goca Trzan’s Daughter Changing Her Surname?

Because there is practically no relationship left with her father. Goca Trzan has said before that Ivan Marinkovic had not seen their daughter in ten years, spending much of that time on reality shows. The singer also said she had asked relatives, and everyone Lena stayed with, not to let her watch those broadcasts, so she would not see her father in that light.

The role of father figure in Lena’s upbringing was filled by Rasa Novakovic, Goca Trzan’s second husband. He has appeared alongside mother and daughter in family posts for years.

Lena recently turned 19 and finished high school.

Father Cried on Reality TV Over Relationship With Daughter

Ivan Marinkovic has spoken about his strained relationship with his daughter on camera during “Elita” (Elite), where he cried at one point. He said what hurt him most was that Lena did not attend his mother’s funeral. He had also complained on the show about his relationship with his ex-wife.

He has not publicly commented on Lena’s announcement that she is changing her surname.

Mother’s Birthday Post

For Lena’s nineteenth birthday, Goca Trzan posted a photo of the two of them from a diving trip, along with a longer message:

This photo of us diving together is so symbolic: I wanted to help you overcome your fear of depth, of the unknown, of sharks, so we faced them together. Just as I faced my own fear 19 years ago, fear of loss, of life, of unconditional love, and you came to me as the reward, as the way to conquer them. You became my greatest joy and my greatest worry at the same time. My beautiful daughter, may this new year of your life bring you luck, the end of high school, graduation, the start of a new chapter that may carry new fears. For Rasa and me, your fear is just another step we will climb together. We love you.

Rasa in that message is Rasa Novakovic. The singer’s post mentions graduation and the start of a new chapter, and Lena’s announcement about the surname came just a few weeks later.

What Was Actually Said, and What Wasn’t

Lena Marinkovic did not say when exactly she is starting the process. She did not explain her reasons, and she did not name her father. She left one word about the timing, “soon,” and nothing more.

Here is what is actually known from her post:

• The surname she is taking is Trzan, her mother’s maiden name
• The announcement came as a reply to a follower’s comment, not as a standalone post
• No date for the change was given
• Ivan Marinkovic has not reacted

For the entertainment press, this is the continuation of a story that has run for years, only now told in her own words for the first time. Until now, others have spoken about the relationship between Lena and her father: her mother in interviews, and he himself on reality TV. Now she has spoken too, in two words beneath a single photo.