Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire owner of the Royal Mail, has come under renewed scrutiny following revelations about his personal life and continued concerns over his management of the historic British postal service. Known as the "Czech Sphinx" for his enigmatic demeanor, Kretinsky, 51, has reportedly been in a relationship with 28-year-old model Marie Jedlickova.
Jedlickova, who previously dated Max Talich for seven years and was engaged to him, reportedly ended her relationship with Talich "brutally" and without warning last year. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Prague and became Kretinsky's lover. Her appearance in a Royal Mail Mother's Day advertisement and another video promoting the company's Christmas postal service has drawn attention, especially given her lack of prior acting experience. Sources close to Kretinsky state Jedlickova received no fees for these appearances and is not on the Royal Mail's payroll.
The relationship has raised questions about Kretinsky's stewardship, particularly from critics who have already voiced concerns about the Royal Mail's performance under his ownership. Liam Byrne, chairman of the House of Commons business and trade committee, previously described the company as "a national institution in meltdown." Kretinsky's fortune is estimated at over £8 billion, and his previous girlfriend was a Czech showjumper in her 20s.
Kretinsky, who purchased the Royal Mail's parent company in 2024 for £3.6 billion, faces ongoing criticism regarding the postal service's operational efficiency. In the past year, nearly a quarter of first-class letters failed to arrive on time, and second-class deliveries have a similar lateness rate. The company's workforce and the public have expressed frustration with Kretinsky's perceived prioritization of the profitable parcel service over letter delivery, alongside significant increases in stamp prices.
Kretinsky has promised to invest £500 million in improvements over the next five years, expressing apologies for the current state of service while acknowledging the challenges. He has attributed the difficulties to the complex nature of delivering mail across Britain at a low price point.
The British government, concerned about national security implications of Kretinsky's ownership of the Royal Mail, subjected the takeover to rigorous investigation and imposed a "golden share" to give them veto power over key operational decisions. Kretinsky's business empire is diverse, spanning energy, retail, media, and football, with stakes in fossil-fuel power plants across Europe and significant holdings in Russian gas infrastructure through his stake in Eustream. He is also set to take control of West Ham United and owns Sparta Prague.
Kretinsky's rise to prominence began in the chaotic economic landscape following the collapse of Communism in Czechoslovakia. Born in 1975, he developed an early interest in business, making profitable investments with small sums lent by his stepfather, an art photographer. He co-founded EPH, a major investment company, with privatization baron Petr Kellner, who died in a helicopter crash five years ago. Kretinsky was in a relationship with Kellner's daughter, Ana Kellnerova, during this period.
Max Talich, Jedlickova's former fiancé, expressed surprise at her relationship with Kretinsky, noting the significant age difference and disparity in their perceived interests. He stated that while he and his mother remain fond of Jedlickova and worry about her well-being, he questions what the two discuss. Talich also voiced disappointment that Jedlickova's focus shifted towards a more glamorous lifestyle after entering the Miss Czech Republic contest.
Despite the controversies, Kretinsky's stepfather described him as an "awesome kid" with boundless energy and loyalty. Kretinsky himself has stated that his primary motivation is the satisfaction derived from reviving and improving struggling businesses, a sentiment that may be met with skepticism by those relying on the Royal Mail's services.