Episode 8 Helena Ameisen

It was a wild and quick paced interview with writer Helena Ameisen. Her story of love and loss will leave you breathless. She has had so many experiences prior to and following the untimely passing of her Egyptian husband but her passion and inner fire swirls you around and takes you on her extraordinary journey.

Helena Ameisen comes from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. She was born in Kraków, Poland and immigrated to Australia with her family in 1960 to escape the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe. I

On a one year, round-the-world trip in 1981, she met her future husband – a much older Muslim businessman from Egypt. A tumultuous love affair ensued which changed the trajectory of her life. She married and moved to Egypt where she lived from 1985-2002.

After her husband’s untimely death in January 2002, she returned to Sydney with her two children.

Her memoir, ‘Maktoub – It is Written’ covers her love interest’s pursuit across the globe and their nine rendezvous culminating in marriage which results in a rift with her father who refuses to attend the wedding, then disowns and disinherits her.

Sound Production by Dan Nave, Executive Director of The Lab Studios,  whose

ongoing generosity continues to make these podcasts possible.