Following the death of Antonie Zacpalová at age 91, her eldest daughter Dominika Gottová remained in Finland citing financial and health difficulties.
Antonie Zacpalová Dies in Prague at Age 91
Antonie Zacpalová died on October 5, 2026, at the age of 91 in a Prague hospital after spending her final years in a senior living facility in the Vysočany district. In the 1960s, she built a career as a jazz ballet dancer and soloist in the Karlín Musical Theatre dance ensemble, appearing on screen in films such as Uhorkový hrdina and Keby tisíc klarinetov. During that era, she met Karel Gott, who in 1972 picked her up at a concert after offering a ride home that ended at his villa.
Her relationship with the late singer brought their first daughter, Dominika Gottová, into the world in 1973. Years later, Karel Gott provided financial support, including purchasing a cottage and a two-story house in the Vinohrady district, which Zacpalová eventually sold to help support Dominika after her move to Finland according to reporting from Blesk. The singer also provided a six-million-koruna settlement and covered her senior home fees, while Dominika collected her monthly pension. Zacpalová also shared private details of her past relationships with actor Miloš Kopecký, singer Rudolf Cortés, and jazz trumpeter Richard Kubernát.
Vlasta Ševečková was with Zacpalová the day before her passing, noting that she was in good spirits, had an appetite, and did not complain about anything.
According to Blesk, the family did not own a private grave site because Zacpalová’s father had been scattered. Ševečková noted that they had never discussed funeral wishes, and that securing a grave and covering funeral expenses would have posed a heavy financial burden for Dominika.
Dominika Gottová Stays in Finland Due to Financial Pressures
Following her mother’s passing, Dominika Gottová expressed grief on social media but did not travel to Prague. Living in a social apartment in Finland with her husband, musician Timo Tolkki, she stated that they faced severe financial constraints due to ongoing health issues as reported by Plus 7 Dní.
Dominika Gottová told Plus 7 Dní that We are not doing well financially because Timo and I have health issues.
Because Dominika and Ivana Gottová had not spoken since Karel Gott’s death in October 2019, reaching out to the singer’s widow required her husband to place the call according to Pluska. Local media also reported that Dominika asked the senior home to communicate exclusively via email rather than phone calls, leaving the arrangements unaddressed while the mandatory statutory 96-hour window to claim the body expired. Meanwhile, former admirer Petr Veselý, who was previously linked to Iveta Bartošová, also visited Zacpalová in the senior home.
Ivana Gottová and Supporters Intervene to Prevent a Pauper's Burial
With no relative stepping forward to claim the remains within the statutory 96-hour window, Zacpalová faced a potential social funeral organized by Prague 9 at municipal expense. Learning of the situation through the press, Ivana Gottová decided to step in despite past public disagreements with Dominika.
An anonymous source close to Ivana Gottová stated that Ivana didn't want Tonička to have a pauper's funeral. She simply wouldn't forgive herself if the woman who had her husband's first child was buried like someone nobody cared about.
However, when Ivana contacted the Pegas funeral service to cover the expenses according to Azet, she discovered that the arrangements had already been quietly settled by Vlasta Ševečková, a close friend and long-time fan of Karel Gott who regularly visited Zacpalová at the senior home, bringing her groceries, and taking her to the cinema, hair salon, and walks. Ševečková noted that she remained in contact with Dominika regarding her heavy psychological toll, and confirmed that the final farewell would take place privately within a tight circle of those close to Zacpalová.