Kuchařová: Behind Beauty is a Voice That Gives Strength
30 ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
Behind Beauty is a Voice
That Gives Strength
A successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and ambassador for the UN and the project The ŽENY,
Taťána Kuchařová proves that beauty can carry profound meaning. For more than seventeen years,
she has been helping older people, connecng generaons and acvely working to change society.
The public knows you primarily as a former Miss
World. But several years have passed since then,
and you have moved on considerably – both
professionally and personally. What are you
focused on today?
Yes, the Miss World title was certainly a huge milestone
– it opened doors for me, but at the same time
it marked the beginning of something much bigger.
Today, alongside my commercial work in fashion,
beauty, and health, I am also devoted to several
interesting projects. In addition to my Beauty of Help
Foundation, which supports older people, there is the
Archimedes project, which is creating a global network
of educational and community centres addressing
environmental topics. I am also mentoring women
within the project The ŽENY. I serve as an ambassador
for international forums on behalf of the non-profit
sector and the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), for instance within the UN.
In addition, I collaborate on other cultural and social
projects that simply make sense to me- projects focused
on longevity and healthy aging, cycling as it relates
to quality of life and sustainability, and connecting
generations. In every area, I seek for a broader impact
– and that is what truly fulfils me.
You founded the Beauty of Help Foundation, which
has been helping older people live with dignity
in their own homes for over seventeen years.
What drew you to this cause?
I was only eighteen when I began charitable work,
and twenty when I founded my own organisation —
I very quickly realised how overlooked our older people
are. Yet these are the people who deserve our respect,
time and care the most.
The foundation grew out of a sincere inner conviction
that we should support dignified aging and strengthen
intergenerational connections. Today, we can point
to thousands of stories of help, concrete numbers
and outcomes — and that is my true mission. What
has probably influenced me the most in this work are
my own grandparents.
You are involved not only in charitable work, but also
in empowering women and addressing key social
issues. As an ambassador for the project The ŽENY
and as a representative of the Czech Republic at UN
international forums, you share your experience
with others. What inspired you to start supporting
women on their own journeys?
I’ve been through my share of it — the pressure,
the stereotypes, and the expectations placed
on women. And although I had opportunities others
didn’t, I often felt I had to be twice as good to be
taken seriously. I wanted to help create a space where
women support and inspire one another and share
their know-how. That’s exactly why The ŽENY came
about. I believe that when women join forces and back
one another, the sky’s the limit.
It’s important to be able to ask for help
when you feel you need it. There’s
no weakness in that, but there is strength.
Je důležité umět si říct o pomoc, když to tak cítíte.
V tom není slabost, ale síla.
Vaše kariéra je mimořádně různorodá, co vás nejvíc
posunulo vpřed? A na co jste nejvíc hrdá?
Paradoxně to byly právě překážky a výzvy, které mě
posunuly nejvíc. Modeling mi dal disciplínu, veřejná
role zodpovědnost a práce v nezisku hlubší smysl. Ale
nejvíc hrdá jsem na to, že jsem si v tom všem zachovala
samu sebe – i v prostředí, které vás často chce změnit.
A že jsem díky tomu mohla pomoci ostatním a zane-
chala stopu. To je pro mne to největší ocenění.
Děkuji za rozhovor.