Pray and work
Oldřich Chadima was born on December 1, 1936 as the second son of a poor peasant family in Vidlatá Seč near Litomyšl. He attended public school in Vidlatá Seč and subsequently in Opatovec, where he moved with his family after the war. From an early age, he dreamed of becoming a teacher. After completing primary education, he did not have the opportunity to study at secondary school. In 1953, he trained as a bricklayer. He completed his high school diploma only in 1961. Between 1956 and 1959, he completed compulsory military service with a border company in southern Slovakia. After the Velvet Revolution, he founded his own construction company, which was taken over by his son.