Actress Nadeshda Brennicke about her second home Costa Rica, tears while surfing and why she is now ready for love.
It’s admirable how consistent Nadezhda Brennicke, 50, living her dream. The actress, who became famous through films such as “Antibody” and “Banklady”, bred thoroughbred horses in Oderbruch, Brandenburg, for 15 years before turning her life completely upside down in 2020. She sold her farm and found a second home in Costa Rica, 10,000 kilometers away.
GALA: How did you come across your dream place?
Nadesha Brennicke: About my uncle, who always raved about Costa Rica and lives there. When my beloved stallion died, it was like a turning point in time. I felt I had to travel to broaden my horizons. So I visited my uncle, rented a car and drove all by myself through Costa Rica – and got stuck in Santa Teresa because I fell in love with this place immediately.
Nadeshda Brennicke: “Here I am simply Nadja from Germany”
What does Costa Rica give you that you can’t find in Germany?
It starts with the fact that no one there knows me. I’m Nadja from Germany, “The German Girl”. And what I do doesn’t interest anyone at first. That’s why Costa Rica offered me freedom and further development, which I simply missed after 15 years on my horse farm – a kind of self-reflection. The time at my Pippi Longstocking farm was great for raising my son, but when Nikita moved out, I felt something was missing.
What did you personally discover about yourself there?
An uncanny thirst for adventure. And I noticed how much courage I actually have and how easy it was for me to travel through this country alone – with a basic trust that nothing would happen to me. I’m a fearless person.
What about spiders, snakes and scorpions?
Of course I met them too. When I was living on a friend’s farm and opened the kitchen drawer in the morning, all of a sudden there was a tarantula in there. You’ll be happy if you miss it. (laughs) I find snakes even scarier. Often you can only tell if they are poisonous at the front end. There are snakes that can even kill horses and cats!
Her son Nikita is always by her side
Does your son Nikita share your enthusiasm for Costa Rica?
Yes, to build a house here you have to start a company and I did that with him. Whatever happens, for example if we build another house that we also rent out – Nikita will be a part of it. He also became a passionate surfer here.
Nikita and Nadezhda
© Tristar Media
Do you surf yourself?
Yes, although I’m actually afraid of deep water. My primal fear of everything I can’t see – my imagination is just too big for that. For me, surfing is a kind of brain hygiene because I manage to switch off my head completely.
What do you mean?
You have to fight your way through the surf first, that washes away a lot. Then I really notice how all the emotions that have been building up fall away from me. And I may suddenly start sobbing without really knowing why. Something just unravels. Then my head is clear and I don’t think about anything anymore. And it has another great advantage: After two weeks, your butt will automatically go where you thought it would never go again! (laughs)
Can you imagine living in the rainforest forever?
Probably not, I didn’t emigrate, but spend the winter there from the end of November to February. I can’t imagine a summer without hiking in the Alps, where I grew up.
She is ready for a new partner
You seem to get along very well on your own – and don’t need a man for your happiness in life…
I said that for a long time and probably believed it too. I’m actually very good at being alone. I just fulfilled my dreams and didn’t wait for someone else to do it. But now I would like to have a soul mate. Because there is value in sharing things, and I’m ready for that. But in fact, it must also be a soul mate. I’m not interested in compromises.
What does Mister Right have to bring?
I would like to laugh a lot more again and experience lightness in my life, so it would have to be someone with a sense of humor and a certain thirst for adventure, who does not find animals repulsive and perhaps does not want five children and has three small children. (laughs)
Would you say that you are at peace with yourself?
That’s always only temporary. It’s been my experience that whenever I think, “Now I get it,” I slam into the nearest rock. And you think: “What was that, I was already enlightened!” But life comes in waves and you should always remember what is important to you and what you really want. Then you at least have the chance to get as close as possible to what might be your own satisfaction.