Zdravko Mamić for HEDONIST: I Spent Two or Three Million Euros on Music

This is how Zdravko Mamić began his conversation with HEDONIST magazine. The former head of Dinamo Zagreb has been living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2018, in the municipality of Čitluk, more precisely in the small town of Međugorje. In 2021, the County Court in Osijek sentenced him to six and a half years in prison for embezzling around 116 million kuna from the club and causing damage to the Croatian state budget of 12.2 million kuna.

Editor’s note: This text is part of the HEDONIST archive and was originally published in the 2021 print edition, Issue 05.

He adds that he avoids going to stadiums, mostly for comfort, as his presence often sparks rumors that he is taking over a club, which, he insists, is not true. Known as a great hedonist, he first associated hedonism with prayer, especially in Međugorje, which he says welcomed him with open arms.

“Prayer is hedonism for me - it makes me a better, calmer, more moral person. Hedonism is also walking through these Herzegovinian vineyards, or eating traditional dishes - cabbage, sarma, sogan dolma… I never refuse those! If someone wants to invite me over, just prepare that kind of food, and I’m coming,” Mamić says with his characteristic smile.

At first glance, it’s clear that “Maminjo,” as he is often called, is in good shape. He credits it partly to genetics and partly to regular training.

“My mother is 90, while my father and grandfather died of heart attacks. So I’ve started thinking about prevention. I hope I’ll inherit my mother’s longevity. I go to the gym three or four times a week. I walk a lot - that relaxes me. I enjoy a good TV series or reading a quote from the Bible. I’m not a big reader, but I do read occasionally - now I finally have time for things I didn’t before,” he says.

Mamić doesn’t like alcohol, but admits he drinks occasionally for social reasons.

“I tolerate alcohol well. When I drink, it’s only wine, never spirits. I even completed a sommelier course here, so I understand wine quite well now. When I was young, a great man from Sarajevo, Rajko Dragić, taught me how to drink. Everyone would toast and drink, while he would just touch the wine to his lips. Later, everyone around him would be drunk, and he’d be fresh and ready for a meeting in the morning,” he recalls.

He currently drives a BMW 7 Series, though he says brand names don’t matter much to him - comfort and safety do.

“I drive fast. I’ve driven many cars - Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley… I never pretended to be something I’m not; I lived within my means. I’d love for everyone to have a better car than me. Everyone wants a better car - it’s simply better to have than not,” he says, with a touch of humor.

His talent for business and making money is one of his trademarks. Speaking to HEDONIST, Mamić shared what he considers the secret of his success.

“I developed my talents throughout life. At eight, I made my first entrepreneurial steps in a village near Bjelovar. I rented out horse-drawn carts and transported grain and corn to silos. Later, I sold foam seat cushions at Dinamo matches - after the game, I’d collect them and sell them again at the next one. When Levi’s jeans were a big deal, I sold them ‘by the truckload’ to Hungarians,” he says.

He sourced those jeans through a friend in London, and people would rush to buy them, amazed they were genuine.

“No one believes me when I say that today, considering all the money that passed through my hands, I’m actually a poor man. I could have been as rich as Bill Gates, but I gave away money generously. I spent two or three million euros on music alone,” Mamić reveals.

Money, he says, is temporary. What matters is earning it and sharing it - with family, friends, and people in need. He considers himself financially vulnerable today.

“I’m not complaining - my brother Zoran takes care of me. My assets are completely frozen. I have basic financial struggles, but I regret nothing. I believe that what a man creates and doesn’t spend, he never truly had. What matters to me is that when I grow old, I can afford a coffee and spend my final days in dignity,” Mamić said in his interview for HEDONIST.

Banja Luka

Mamić has fond memories of Banja Luka.

“I always enjoy coming to Banja Luka. I have a great time here - good food, good drinks. I remember a fantastic restaurant called ‘Sirano.’ I’m glad that Borac has returned to the top of football in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I wish them continued success,” he said.

• Written by Dejan Kondić / HEDONIST
• Originally published in HEDONIST Magazine, Issue 05, 2021