Ljiljana Petrović Batler, a prominent Romani singer, faced significant challenges in her life, including becoming a mother at 14 and working various jobs, including cleaning toilets, to support her family after fleeing to Germany during the Yugoslav wars.

Despite her struggles, she achieved fame in Yugoslavia and was affectionately known as the ‘mother of Romani soul,’ often addressing issues of racism and prejudice against the Romani community.

Batler’s life story is marked by resilience and a deep connection to her roots in Belgrade, where she expressed a strong desire to return and be buried after her passing in 2010.

• RODILA JE DETE SA SAMO 14 GODINA, POSTIGLA VANSERIJSKU SLAVU U JUGOSLAVIJI, A ONDA ČISTILA KLOZETE DA BI SE PREHRANILI. In: Puls Online. 29.08.2026. https://www.pulsonline.rs/musko-zenski-razgovori/rodila-je-dete-sa-14-godina-postigla-veliku-slavu-a-onda-cistila-klozete/g7jqbtk