“Two houses are better than one stressed one,” Ajlin Petrela speaks about her split from the mayor of Kolonjë, Erion Isai

Ajlin Petrela, the director and former wife of comedian and mayor of Kolonjë, Erion Isai, has spoken for the first time about the reasons behind the end of their marriage. They are parents to two daughters, Ajër and E’dua.

In an interview with MCN, Petrela emphasized that the decision to separate was mutual and prioritized the well-being of their daughters.

“It was a decision made by both sides. It’s better for the girls to live happily in two homes than to be stressed in one,” she said, adding that she did not want the girls to experience trauma from any conflicts between their parents.

Ajlin Petrela also stressed that her relationship with Erion Isai remains calm and respectful for the sake of the children.

The director revealed that she is in a romantic relationship, but she met her new partner through social media and keeps his identity private to protect their privacy. “We just returned from a trip. The person I’m with has no connection to the media world; we try to keep him isolated,” she said.

According to her, the relationship began around nine months ago and starting a new chapter as a mother of two was a challenge, but now she and her new partner have managed to organize their personal lives away from the media.

Mayor Erion Isai also commented on the separation, confirming that his marriage to Ajlin Petrela officially ended in April 2024, by mutual agreement and respect for shared principles. He emphasized that over the past two years he has focused on his role as a father and strives to do his best for his daughters.

Excerpts from the interview:

We maintain a calm relationship in front of each other, with respect and for the sake of the girls. I think I will never speak about this publicly.

He is the father of my daughters. My concern is only their upbringing; it’s not like we’re going out together, and this is very normal—no one would find it unusual. Here it’s different, and the girls are still very young.

Ajër is aware of the situation; she was old enough when it all happened. The younger one is not yet aware. She is still very small.

It was a decision made by both sides. It’s better for the girls to live happily in two homes than to be stressed in one.

I would never want the girls to experience trauma as they grow up because of conflicts they might witness at home.

The new romantic relationship?

We just returned from a trip. Weekend getaways from Tirana are frequent. The person I’m with is private, has no connection to the media world at all, and we try to keep him isolated. He doesn’t want his personal matters interfered with, and I don’t want to complicate anything in any way.

That’s why we keep him isolated.

Does he mind if you post a portrait photo?

Yes (laughs).

How did you meet?

A doctor brought us together without even knowing it. We have mutual friends, my doctor invited him, and now we are together.

He will kill me for talking so much about this (laughs). He is a calm person and isn’t impressed by these things.

The person I’m with didn’t even consider the divorce or the children—it was about starting life anew. The challenge is bigger because you have two daughters; I didn’t know how it would go. It was difficult, but thank God he adjusted. We’ve been together for nine months.

“KORÇA BOOM”