Blanka Kačer Mateša is a Croatian lawyer and university professor, best known as the head of the Department of Civil Law at the Faculty of Law in Split. She is the author of numerous scientific papers in the field of civil law, and especially deals with sports and medical law. It became even more visible to the public after marrying the president of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, in December 2023. Below we present a detailed and updated biography of Blanka Kačer.
- Personal information and position: She is an associate professor of law at the University of Split. She is currently the head of the Department of Civil Law and the director of the postgraduate specialist study – Sports Law.
- Education: She graduated in 2002 from the Faculty of Law in Split, and in 2013 completed her doctoral studies in civil-legal science at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb. During her studies, she was extremely successful – she received the dean’s and rector’s award and a state scholarship for the best student in Croatia. She also passed the bar exam and worked for two years at the County Court in Split.
- CAREER: After her doctorate, she remained in the academic community of Split. She continued her career at her home faculty, where in 2021 she was elected to the scientific title of associate professor, Ph.D. doping problems together with Prof. Hrvoje Kačer). She teaches courses in civil law and leads the study of sports law, in whose organization she is highly ranked.
Key career dates:
- 2002: Diploma at the Faculty of Law in Split.
- 2013: Doctorate in civil law, Faculty of Law in Zagreb.
- 2021: Election to the title of associate professor, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Law Split.
- 2023: Marriage to Zlatko Mateša, president of HOO (becomes publicly recognized as “new Mrs. Mateša”).
Education and academic development
Blanka Kačer was an excellent student from an early age. She attended the Split Language High School, which provided her with a strong linguistic basis for further legal studies. She studied civil law at the Faculty of Law in Split, where she was a regular holder of a scholarship for excellence. Here she won the dean’s and rector’s award and the state scholarship for the best students.
After graduation, he enrolled in postgraduate studies in civil law at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb and in 2013 obtained the title of Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) in civil and family law. As part of her doctoral studies, she defended her thesis, passed the bar exam and worked at the County Court in Split. During this period, she stood out as very engaged in academic activities, and after her doctorate, she soon continued her career at the university.
Professional career
After her doctorate, Kačer remained at the Faculty of Law in Split. Over a number of years, she progressed from a younger researcher and lecturer to senior academic titles. Since November 2021, she has been working as an associate professor (member of the title) at the Department of Civil Law. In the role of professor, he teaches courses in civil law and successfully leads studies of orientations such as medical law and sports law.
During her career, she published several scientific articles and participated in project activities in the field of law. In recent years, she has specially devoted herself to legal issues in sports (sports law) and health/medical law. He participates in scientific meetings within this; For example, at a conference right&football 2022 held in Opatija, she gave a lecture on doping in sports together with prof. Hrvoje Kačer. It is also the subject of numerous student and professional workshops.
Research and expert contribution
Her main research areas are civil law, with a special interest in sports and medical law. In the interview, she stated that in addition to classical civil issues, she particularly focused on sports law, and in recent years she has been intensively working on health care (patient protection possibilities, responsibility in medicine). Preparation of professional books – she announced, for example, the writing of a book on responsibility in aesthetic surgery, which would be the first such manual in the region.
In addition to scientific papers, Blanka Kačer is active in professional organizations. The role of the president of the Croatian Society for Sports Law (HDŠP) was noted. For example, she participated in the publication of the textbook “Sports Law” (2019) as a representative of the legal profession together with other authors – she is even cited as the president of HDŠP. Such a role shows its relevance in the field of sports law in Croatia.
Personal life and public interest
Blanka Kačer also attracted attention outside of academia. For twenty years she was married to prof. Hrvoje Kačer (1958–2023), also a lawyer and expert in sports law. He has two children with Hrvoje Kačer (sons Roko and Bruno). Hrvoje Kačer died at the beginning of 2023, after a long and serious illness.
In the second part of 2023, Blanka Kačer drew a lot of public attention because of her love affair with Zlatko Mateš, 30 years her senior, former prime minister and current president of the Croatian Olympic Committee. After some time, the couple got engaged, and at the end of 2023, they held an intimate church wedding. In interviews, she told reporters that the relationship with Mateša was created gradually and that she found new happiness in her after a difficult period of life. Due to the big age difference (Mateša is 30 years older), their love story was often commented on in the media and on social networks, which is associate professor. Kačer Mateša and publicly commented on warning about respect and protection of personality.
Life in Split and Hobby
Although the resume itself is career-oriented, it is worth mentioning that Blanka Kačer is originally and connected to Split. She grew up in Split’s Varoš and points out that family pride has always preserved her combination of “noble roots” with the female strength of working women lawyers, which she cited as inspiration for her legal career. In her spare time, she likes riding – a hobby she’s been doing for years, even during difficult days after her husband’s death. He also loves fashion and travel and often participates in public events, showing his style (interview Gloria mentioned fashion passion several times). As the wife of a prominent sports official, she is often at the main sports and social events alongside Mateša.
Conclusion
Blanka Kačer (now Mateša) is an example of a successful Croatian legal academic: she combined higher education, academic work and social engagement. Hers biography She shows how she came from an excellent student through a doctor of law to a prominent professor and head of specialist studies. In addition, her story also intrigues the public because of her acquaintance and marriage with Zlatko Mateša, which has received additional media attention.
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