Living in Harmony: Jana Ina and Giovanni's Two Decades of Teamwork
Group of Longtime Collaborators for Two Decades - A group has stayed cohesive and strong for two decades.
20 years, two teenagers, two bustling schedules - yet Jana Ina (48) and Giovanni Zarrella (47) have never lost each other's support. "We're each other's biggest enthusiasts. Competition? Nothing of the kind, just backing each other up," Jana Ina declares during a video shoot at Eon's Testing Lab in Essen.
Family life is anything but tranquil, with shows, broadcasts, and school appointments filling their calendars up to the brim. But how do they stay on top of things? "We maintain a shared family calendar, marking every appointment, even the kids' appointments. We also designate specific days just for us," explains the presenter. Family always takes priority: "We want to cherish our children's memorable moments, even if it means sacrificing sleep."
Celebrating Two Decades: No Firm Plans Yet
In August, the couple will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, but there's no grand scheme in sight. They tend to make decisions on the fly, as Jana Ina chuckles: "At the moment, we go by the day, but we'll figure it out!" Despite their public lives, Jana Ina and Giovanni have learned to draw the line between their personal and professional lives: "I show a lot of our everyday life on Instagram, make jokes about parenting teens. But we draw the line at the kids - and our followers respect it."
Their approachable nature is evident, Jana Ina says, whether it's at the supermarket or the bakery: "People treat us like old friends or neighbors. My husband chats up every baker, sings along, and chats away... As long as people are friendly, we're friendly too."
The Zarrellas' teamwork extends beyond parenting and managing schedules. They're a well-oiled team when it comes to saving energy too, as Jana Ina reveals during the video shoot on the energy transition: "He keeps tabs on smart tariffs, so I can charge my car flexibly when it's most cost-effective. I, on the other hand, make sure to turn off lights and unplug devices." Even the kids lend a hand: "They often remind us to turn off lights when it's bright outside."
Sustainability: A Way of Life for the Zarrellas
Hailing from Brazil, sustainability is a natural part of Jana Ina's daily family life. Swapping her hybrid for a fully electric car was the first step - installing solar panels is next on deck. "We saw it at our neighbor's and thought, 'That looks great!'" she reveals. "On our daily walks, I gather info. If I can charge my car at home using solar panels, that's ideal!"
Learning why her car charges at night instead of immediately gave Jana Ina a sense of accomplishment: "I initially thought my charging box was busted. But now I get it: I'm on a flexible tariff. The car charges at night when energy demand is lower - it's better for the environment and my wallet." Giovanni approves too: "My husband's a true Swabian – he's all about saving cash."
"At home, we make sure that devices aren't left running all day. You don't need to keep a smartphone charger plugged in round-the-clock. Just connect it when you need it," says Jana Ina. "The little things you can do to save energy add up at the end of the year. You save electricity and help the environment. That should be everyone's goal."
- Giovanni Zarrella
- Jana Ina
- Marriage
- Jana Ina Zarrella
- Children
- Car
- Sustainability
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of the environment as Jana Ina adopts a sustainable lifestyle, installing solar panels for her home and advocating for the use of a fully electric car, following her Brazilian upbringing. Despite their busy schedules, Jana Ina and Giovanni ensure they maintain a home-and-garden environment that promotes sustainable living, encouraging their children to turn off lights during the day to save energy.
