Daughter of the Austrian Baron, Stefan von Breisky – renowned for his sumptuous parties in Malveira da Serra, where he gathered his friends from both European nobility and Portuguese society- and a French and Polish mother, Wanda von Breisky, 46 years old, was born in Portugal but is a citizen of the world, realizing from an early age that her life would take her many places. Although after the birth of her children, Cleo, aged 10, and Vincent, aged seven, Wanda took the decision to base herself permanently in Portugal, she continues to travel frequently, as Cadenzalux, the real estate company she created, requires her to do so.
Afterall, the name Wanda is derived from the ‘verb to go’… Wanda von Breisky
– My mother always says that I was born in a hurry, that I was ready to discover and explore the world right from the word go! Even though I was very close to my parents, and even though they split up when I was eight, I always wanted to leave home early. At 17, I was ready to fly the nest. My mother did not approve of the decision very much, but she trusted me, and my father, who I get most of my strength from, was fully supportive of my decision. I’m a lot like my father. I have his bohemian side and I’m definitely the loudest in the family and the one that gets the most laughs, just like he did. I went to boarding school in Berkshire, England, where I spent a year and a half, and then I was accepted to art school in London. Sadly, a car accident interrupted my studies, and I lost my passion for art. I couldn’t paint anymore; I had lost my creativity. I turned to Marketing and Design, but I didn’t like it and decided not to pursue it any further. When I was 20 I moved to Germany where I was accepted into the Fine Arts program at Christie’s, which I then followed with a Master’s in Art Business at Sotheby’s.
After completing her studies Wanda returned to London and it was there that she created her first company.
– Yes, I started my first business when I was 27. It was a risk. I had already organized many exhibitions in London and had the right contacts and knowledge, so I decided to just do it. I lived for 14 years in London but at that point my business partner decided she wanted to step back to dedicate more time to her family and I was tired and knew that I needed a change. It was then that a friend suggested I try my hand at real estate. She thought I would be a natural at it and it turns out she was right. I have never looked back! I spent time working in various companies in Brazil, Miami, and London before returning to Portugal and at the beginning of this year I created my own real estate company, CadenzaLux.
It was her father’s illness that brought her back to Portugal.
Yes, when I received the call from my father I didn’t hesitate. As soon as he was first diagnosed with skin cancer I returned home and ended up staying even after his death. I had always maintained a very close relationship with my parents and I didn’t think twice about my decision. My father was my best friend.
He understood me completely and there was never any judgment between us. He was an exceptional father. Yes, he was very bohemian and yes he didn’t always fit always into society and of course there were things he could have done differently, but he was a wonderful father.
“I try not to be too hard on myself or think that I’m being either a bad mother or a bad professional.”
It’s been 15 years since he died, and she still talks about him with a twinkle in her eye….
Of course, to me it’s like he’s still here. There is still the sadness I felt when he died but also the joy that he gave all of us who were lucky enough to know him. There isn’t a week that goes by where I don’t come across someone who tells me a story about him and that is wonderful. I think that was also one of the reasons that made me
stay here as I feel very close to him.
– Do you talk about your father to your children?
Of course, they have seen pictures and videos and I have told them a lot of stories about him, but they can’t understand what he was really like. I have saved some magazine articles for them to read when they are older. My father was a man full of joy and touched everyone he met. regardless of their status.
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