Biography

Tatjana Šimić was born on 9 June 1963 in Zagreb and grew up in a family of Croatian heritage. Early on, she discovered a passion for the performing arts, which eventually brought her to the Netherlands, where she found her creative home. Her big breakthrough came with the role of the spirited Kees in the Dutch television and film series Family Flodder. With her magnetic presence, she quickly won over millions of viewers and secured her place in show business. In the 1990s, Tatjana Šimić rose to fame as a celebrated sex symbol. She appeared on the cover of Playboy 17 times—thirteen times in the Dutch edition and four times in the German edition (February 1991; February 1994; May 1996; August 1998)—solidifying her reputation as one of the decade’s most sought-after personalities. Šimić also made waves musically: in 1992, she teamed up with singer Gerard Joling to record “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” which climbed into the top five of the Dutch charts. This hit underscored her versatility and knack for catchy pop renditions. Another iconic milestone in her career was Domino Day 2000, where Tatjana Šimić ceremonially tipped the first domino, setting off the spectacular chain-reaction event. In 2005, she offered an intimate look at her life in the autobiography Jij!. With honesty and warmth, she recounts the challenges and triumphs that have defined her extraordinary journey.