# Five years of silence, then love won

> Vinko kept his HIV diagnosis secret from Andrea for five years. When it finally came out, it brought them closer than ever.
- Title: Five years of silence, then love won · Abc | Shortify
- Summary: Vinko kept his HIV diagnosis secret from Andrea for five years. When it finally came out, it brought them closer than ever. Vinko Anthony hid his HIV…
- Keywords: vinko anthony, andrea zara, hiv diagnosis, same-sex relationships, trust and honesty, croatia, matchmaking, news, politics, Five, years, silence
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-18/love-story-secret-diagnosis-vinko-and-andrea/107096790
- Published: 2026-10-17T23:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: vinko anthony, andrea zara, hiv diagnosis, same-sex relationships, trust and honesty, croatia, matchmaking, news, politics
## Dancing on a rock in Dubrovnik
In two thousand ten, Vinko Anthony was swimming in Dubrovnik, Croatia when he saw Andrea Zara dancing naked on a rock with no music.

> Oh my God.
## Twenty thousand people, one chance
Vinko went to a summer festival in Dubrovnik with twenty thousand people, hoping to see Andrea again. At the first bar, he turned his head and there was Andrea in a blue shirt.
## Two thousand seven hundred forty-three emails
After Croatia, Vinko and Andrea emailed for three months. There were two thousand seven hundred forty-three emails between them. Vinko photocopied them all to show immigration officials as proof of their relationship.
## Married in swimsuits in the heat
In January two thousand eleven, Andrea came to Australia. After visiting the immigration office, they went to the births and marriages office wearing swimsuits in forty-degree Sydney heat and got married in the waiting room.
## A secret Vinko carried alone
Vinko had HIV for many years before meeting Andrea.He spoke to two close friends about telling Andrea and wrote many unsent letters.
## Five years of dishonesty
Vinko kept the secret for five years.A day became a week, a week became a month, a month became a year, then two years, then five.The relationship was under threat because of the dishonesty.
## Pills left on the bathroom bench
Vinko left his HIV medication on the bathroom bench where Andrea would see it.Andrea noticed the pills had changed, checked the box, and found antiviral pills for HIV.
## Andrea's research changed everything
Andrea did his due diligence, researching HIV, getting tested himself, and speaking with a doctor. He had grown up thinking HIV was scary, but understanding what the diagnosis actually meant changed his perspective completely.
## We are much bigger than this
When Vinko and Andrea talked about the diagnosis, Andrea said they were much bigger than it. Vinko felt safe. Andrea said, "We had this feeling we could have done anything together." It was empowerment.

> We are much bigger than this.
## From secret to matchmakers
Vinko and Andrea had started a professional matchmaking service for gay men early in their relationship. When they worked through the diagnosis together, they felt supported and empowered. Their love and relationship kept growing.
## Better with time
Andrea said their love and relationship are constantly growing. They evolve and develop together, respecting and supporting each other's choices. It is not always roses, but the relationship gets better and better with time.

> It's not always roses, but when you get older, you understand that the relationship gets better and better with time.
## Key takeaway

Vinko Anthony hid his HIV diagnosis from partner Andrea Zara for five years; when Andrea discovered it, he chose to stay and deepen their bond.