Martin Stropnický Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Children, Career, Position, Office

Martin Stropnický, is a Czech actor, diplomat, and politician whose multifaceted career bridges the worlds of performing arts and public service.

He graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in 1980 and built a reputation as a stage actor and director at Prague’s Vinohrady Theatre before entering diplomacy in 1990.

Stropnický served as Minister of Culture in 1998, Minister of Defence from 2014 to 2017, and Minister of Foreign Affairs alongside his role as Deputy Prime Minister from 2017 to 2018, while also holding ambassadorial posts in Portugal, Italy, the Vatican, and Israel from 2018 to 2023.

His return to the Chamber of Deputies in 2021 underscores his enduring influence in Czech politics and culture.

Profile

• Full Name: Martin Stropnický
• Stage Name: Martin Stropnický
• Born: 19 December, 1956
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Prague, Czechoslovakia
• Nationality: Czech
• Occupation: Actor, Diplomat, Politician
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Irena Stropnická
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Veronika Žilková (m. 2008–2023), Lucie Stropnická (m. ?–2005)
• Children: Matěj Stropnický, Kordula Stropnická, Anna Stropnická, Melichar Stropnický
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Martin Stropnický was born on December 19, 1956, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to actress and radio announcer Irena Stropnická, whose career in the arts profoundly shaped his path.

He grew up without a publicly known father or siblings, spending parts of his childhood in Italy and Turkey due to his father’s diplomatic work in trade, which sparked his early exposure to international cultures.

Stropnický began secondary studies at a French lycée in Ankara before completing his education at a Prague gymnasium.

He enrolled at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU) in 1975, graduating in 1980 with a degree in acting, and later studied at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna from 1990 to 1991.

He is of Czech descent, and his religious beliefs are unknown.

Career

Martin Stropnický began his professional life as an actor in 1980, joining the Prague Municipal Theatres and later the Vinohrady Theatre, where he performed in over 100 productions, including Shakespearean roles and modern Czech plays, while also directing and writing songs.

His early film appearances included Theodor Chindler – Die Geschichte einer deutschen Familie (1979) and Kariéra (1985), establishing him as a versatile performer.

In 1990, he transitioned to diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving as Ambassador to Portugal (1993–1994) and Italy (1994–1997), followed by a brief stint as Minister of Culture in the 1998 caretaker government under Josef Tošovský.

Stropnický returned to the arts from 1999 to 2003 as Ambassador to the Vatican, then resumed theater work as artistic director of the Vinohrady Theatre from 2003 to 2012, overseeing acclaimed productions.

Elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2013 for the ANO 2011 party, he became Minister of Defence in 2014 under Bohuslav Sobotka, focusing on NATO commitments and military modernization.

After ANO’s 2017 election win, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister until June 2018, navigating EU relations and Brexit discussions.

He rejoined Parliament in 2021 and returned to diplomacy as Ambassador to Israel from 2018 to 2023, promoting bilateral ties amid regional tensions.

Stropnický balances politics with occasional acting and voice work, including dubbing for international films, while his diplomatic legacy includes strengthening Czech positions in multilateral forums.

His influence persists through mentorship at DAMU and commentary on foreign policy, bridging his artistic roots with public service to shape Czech discourse on security and culture.

Social Media

• Facebook Handle: Martin Stropnický
• Twitter Handle: @stropnickym

Personal Life

Martin Stropnický married screenwriter Lucie Stropnická until their 2005 divorce, with whom he shares three children: Matěj Stropnický, Kordula Stropnická, and Anna Stropnická.

He wed actress Veronika Žilková in 2008, but they divorced in 2023; together, they had a son, Melichar Stropnický, who passed away in 2007 at six months old from a rare genetic condition.

Stropnický maintains close ties with his children, particularly Matěj, a politician and actor who came out as gay in 2017.

He resides in Prague, where he enjoys theater, reading, and family gatherings, often reflecting on the profound loss of Melichar in interviews.

Filmography

• Theodor Chindler – Die Geschichte einer deutschen Familie (1979)
• Kariéra (1985)
• Lost Gate (2012)
• Oldies But Goldies (2012)

Net Worth

Martin Stropnický has an estimated net worth of $2 million.

His wealth derives from a long acting career in theater and film, diplomatic salaries during ambassadorial posts and ministerial roles, and parliamentary stipends from his time in the Chamber of Deputies.