Hungary doesn’t make as big a deal of First Ladies like they do the US or France, but it’s still fun to compare the women behind the men, especially as the wives and girlfriends can play a significant — although informal — role in campaign communications and later in supporting the Prime Minister at official functions.
And, lately, opposition leader Péter Magyar has brought his girlfriend into Tisza’s campaign in interesting ways so it’s worth taking a look at the two women: Anikó Lévai (Team Orbán) and Ilona Szabó (Team Magyar).
Let’s square one thing away: These are two very different relationships. Viktor Orbán has been married to Aniko for almost 40 years, whereas Péter Magyar has only been dating his girlfriend for less than a year.
Aniko Levai
Aniko has a law degree — there’s even a fun anecdote where she was a trainee in the same law firm as Péter’s father and used to hold Péter in her lap when he was a baby.
Actually, when you think about it, this is an insane anecdote about how weird life can be! She can’t have imagined that she would spend decades as First Lady and then that that baby would come after her husband — and maybe end his career.
Aniko didn’t spend long in the legal field and after a short stint in politics, settled into a life of charitable works, raising five children, and supporting her husband during his 20+ years as Prime Minister.
Although she doesn’t play a hugely public role — save for appearing next to Orbán during commemoration events or volunteering during natural disasters — her role behind the scenes may be rather more Machiavellian than her mousey appearance lets on.
For example, in the photo below on the left you can see her at an event with Zsolt Hernádi Chair of MOL — a Hungarian oil and gas company. Interestingly — you can also see Péter Magyar there with them (this was reportedly taken in July 2023 — seven months before Péter spoke out against Fidesz publically).
Péter himself has also reported that Aniko was there at some “business meetings” with Orbán. And she certainly hasn’t stopped the enrichment of her nepo baby kids on moral grounds. Recently she led a panel where József Szájer seemed to be welcomed back into the Fidesz fold — he’s the Fidesz politician who was drafting changes to the constitution along conservative lines until he was caught at a gay orgy in Brussels with drugs in his backpack as he was climbing down a drainpipe to escape — allegedly.
I’m truly sorry to say it but in terms of visual communications she’s not great. Aniko sort of gets around in dowdy, sloppy-looking clothes. Her hair is unkempt. And sadly she looks a bit haggard.
Even if you believe Orbán’s tax returns that indicate that he and his wife basically have nothing, their daughter lives large so you’d think she’d spare her mum some cash for some good skincare!
Ilona Szabo aka "Ili"
On the other hand, there’s Péter’s newish girlfriend: Ilona Szabo, better known as Ili.
At this point they have been dating for less than a year, and not all that much is known about her. She started as his personal assistant — reportedly introduced by either Ervin Nagy (the actor who has been hugely publically supportive of Péter Magyar) or Dezső Farkas (a member of Tisza’s leadership team at the time).
She is in her 30s and, according to her LinkedIn, studied economics and public policy. Previously she worked in project management at the Ludovika University of Public Service and also in a corporate role at ALDI. She did Erasmus at a university in France, and also took some time to travel in South America. She apparently speaks good english and some german.
All in all a pretty standard trajectory for people in their 20s and early 30s these days… Until she met Péter when her life changed for good.
In about August 2024 — after Péter’s breakup with that cretin Evelin Vogel — she started appearing in the background of photos in an assistant type role holding her phone or a satchel and generally helping out. See below for what I mean, she’s behind his left shoulder:
In any case, in the second half of last year you could start to tell that they were probably dating as their interactions became slightly more intimate — nothing super obvious just things like standing very close to him, for example (see below).
He announced they were dating in March 2025, which is where she becomes relevant in terms of political communication.
She played a prominent role in the March 15th commemorations — riding in on a horse while wearing a traditional outfit.
Later, in April, she was there in Holloko for the Easter tradition whereby men throw a bucket of water on the girls. In fact, she took part wearing traditional dress with Péter throwing water on her. I wrote about how savvy this was here.
In April, she also travelled to Rome with Péter for the Pope’s funeral…leading to some classic La Dolce Vita snaps.
Then in May, during Péter’s 300 kilometre walk from Budapest to Romania, she was there alongside him on many of the days including one day when in rained which led to some cool photos.
So how do Aniko Levai and Ili Szabo compare?
You can’t do anything about ageing but the fact of the matter is that Ili represents the next generation. She is more relatable to people under 50.
Like Magyar vis-à-vis Orbán, Ili radiates energy and vigour compared to Aniko whose face looks strange drawn.
Just as you can’t imagine Orbán walking 300 kilometres to Romania, you can’t imagine Aniko doing that either. But we literally saw Ili doing that — even in the rain.
While Ili has now been pictured hiking and rowing on the Balaton, I couldn’t find a single photo of Aniko doing sports. I’m not saying she doesn’t exercise it’s just not part of her visual communication.
That’s not all. Ili always has a broad smile. She seems friendly and approachable. On the other hand Aniko has been looking quite depressed. She always seems to be frowning with deep furrows. Almost downcast. Or even worse: aloof. Appearing at select events and not really “one of the people.”
In politics, perception is everything and it matters.
Then there’s the fact that she’s up for taking part in Péter’s funny escapades… getting a bucket of water thrown on her at Easter, for example, shows that she’s up for a bit of fun and not full of herself.
Ili’s appearance at Easter in traditional dress also helps connect Péter to traditional Hungarian values and regional Hungary — which he will need to win big at the elections.
Her riding a horse at the March 15th commemorations reinforces her own bonafides with regional Hungary. Her hometown is Debrecen.
Aniko is also from regional Hungary (Szolnok) but this hasn’t been reinforced visually in recent times. The election is fast approaching — she needs to get out there! All hands on deck, Aniko!!
Ili vs Fidesz WAGs
To be fair, Aniko is but one of the Fidesz wives.
There are many other Fidesz wives and girlfriends (WAGs) who are constantly in the press for living luxuriously on the taxpayer dime.
Think Andrea Várkonyi, Cecilia Rogan, Barbara Rogan and even Orbán’s daughter Rahel. Just google them and you’ll see their lifestyles don’t scream “of the people.” Independent politician Akos Hadhazy has done an excellent job cataloging some of their excesses.
Ili is the opposite. She lets her wavy hair flow freely and doesn’t seem to wear makeup. There are no designer clothes in sight.
This, again, reinforces that Péter is a man of the people compared to Fidesz elites who are now totally out of touch with reality.
So, although Aniko herself does not dress or look flashy, she has kind of faded into the background so when you think of Fidesz WAGs you’re more likely to think of botox and designer bags. Not ideal in a nation where people are really struggling.
The verdict
Anyway, my verdict is this: Ili is the perfect choice to help Péter win the election. Relatable, youthful, vibrant and energetic. She looks fun! She represents hope for a brighter future.
Whereas Aniko looks tired, listless and — honestly — somewhat depressed. In a way, she represents a sad past.
You often hear people say of Obran “he’s not looking well.” So to the extent that people think of Aniko at all, she too reinforces their impressions of Orbán: Low energy. Lethargic. And a little bit sad.
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