"Birds of a feather flock together" - we know the old saying.
Alongside family, friends are the most important people in Ilona's life whom she shares her goals, her work, her plans and even her everyday life.
"Perhaps the road to success seems easier when you have the encouragement and support of friends," says Ilona.
Talking to Ilona, it turns out that she is lucky to have someone who has always been there for her, someone she can count on, someone who listens to her and gives her advice.
One thing that has never changed in Ilona's life is her respect for friendship.
In addition to opening and running Pierrot in 1982, Ilona has always valued the private sphere, entertaining friends at home in her own environment, or going to the theatre, the Opera or abroad together. As much as Pierrot was an island in the restaurant scene in Budapest, she has created her own island in her home - both in Budapest and on Lake Balaton.
This is how friends celebrate with Ilona and her friends on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Pierrot and the Zsidai Group.
"I've always looked up to Ilona - and not just because of her achievements - but because she is a very, very loving person, well-balanced - that's the basis. She is also a very positive person. I've learned a lot from her - for example, to strive for harmony." / Eszter Sztrókay
"Ilona has a lot of obsessions, which are beautiful obsessions that she holds on to and never lets go, no matter what. This is the Buda Castle for her. So the Castle is a very old story for her, and I have to admit that I can't imagine Ilona anywhere else. The Castle is her very old love, and it will certainly remain so for the rest of her life - to the delight of many of us!" / Miklós Horváth
"The very first thing you can say about Ilona is that she is a born entrepreneur. She has everything it takes to be an entrepreneur. I would add that in this not so easy profession Ilona is a particularly beautiful person." / László Madarász
"Ilona has travelled almost all over the world in her work and passion, learning from everything and putting it to good use for herself and her environment." / Zsuzsa Faludi
"I value Ilona's friendship, which is very close and personal: we have had very good conversations for many years, alone, whether here at Pierrot or elsewhere. She calls me and says: "My dear Miklós, now we have to talk!" / Miklós Balogh
"The thing that makes me appreciate her the most is the power she has to create for herself the values that she believes in and which she obviously imagined for herself at the beginning." / Elek Straub
"Ilona is also a perfectionist and thorough, that when she does something, she is 100% on it and in the end, every place, every venture, every task is successful if you have that attitude. That's how her favourite Pierrot has worked for forty years." / Ágnes Mosonyi