Bożena Dykiel has died: remembering her unforgettable roles

Bożena Dykiel, one of Poland’s most recognizable actresses, died on 13 February 2026 at the age of 77. Fr Andrzej Luter was the first to announce her death on his social media profile, and it was then confirmed by TVN and the actress’s husband, Ryszard Kirejczyk, in a conversation with PAP. The actress was born on 26 August 1948.

Cause of death

The official cause of Bożena Dykiel’s death has not yet been made public. However, it is known that she had been struggling with serious health problems for several years. In 2017, she lost consciousness on the set of the series “Na Wspólnej” – she was diagnosed with a heart defect that required surgery. The actress also spoke openly about her battle with depression, admitting that her profession was particularly conducive to this illness.

Key roles

Bożena Dykiel is remembered by audiences above all for her role as Miećka Aniołowa in Stanisław Bareja’s cult series “Alternatywy 4” (1986). For more than 20 years, she played Maria Zięba in the TVN soap opera “Na Wspólnej” – she unexpectedly left the series in 2025.

On the big screen, she worked with, among others, Andrzej Wajda – she played Kasia in “Wesele” (1973), Mada Müller in “Ziemia obiecana” (1975), and roles in “Człowiek z żelaza” and “Wielki Tydzień”. She also appeared in Marek Koterski’s “Dzień świra”, Janusz Zaorski’s “Awans”, and films by Jerzy Hoffman and Roman Załuski. She also starred in the film “Znachor” (1982).

Controversial statements

The actress was known for her sharp tongue and for not hiding her views. In 2021, as an ambassador of the “Faces of Depression” campaign, she claimed on “Dzień dobry TVN” that depression results from a lithium deficiency, promoted “magic” mood-boosting glasses, and called the COVID-19 pandemic a plot by the rich. These statements sparked a wave of criticism and ended her cooperation with the foundation.

In 2022, at a film premiere, she yelled “Wynocha!” (“Get lost!”) at photographers when she refused to pose. In 2015, on the programme “Świat się kręci”, she sharply criticised the then president and the ruling party, accusing them of “robbing Poles”. She was also outspoken on women’s rights, sex education and access to contraception.

The actress is survived by her husband, Ryszard Kirejczyk, with whom she spent more than 50 years, and by two daughters.