How the personal life of the popular favorite Valentina Tolkunova developed and what caused her death. “Tolkunova didn’t believe that her illness was incurable, so she didn’t prepare for death and didn’t write any will. When Tolkunova was diagnosed with cancer
The most sincere Soviet singer passed away a year ago
Valentina Tolkunova was called the soul of Russian song. Her quiet, heartfelt voice, humming "Snub-noses", "Standing at a half-stop", "I cannot do otherwise" has become a part of the history of the Soviet stage. As well as the singer herself. A beautiful brown-haired woman with a long braid almost immediately became famous. Tolkunova was adored by the audience and honored by the high leadership. Not a single concert was complete without her participation.
This was the case in the Soviet Union and continued after its collapse. In recent years, Tolkunova, however, performed less and less. In 2006, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2009 she already had a malignant brain tumor. Valentina Vasilievna passed away slowly and painfully. She felt very bad on February 16 after a concert in Mogilev. There she was taken to a hospital, and then transported to Moscow, to the Botkin hospital. From there she did not come out. A month later, the singer's condition deteriorated sharply, Valentina Vasilievna fell into a coma and on March 22 she passed away ...
Not many people know that in her youth Valentina Vasilievna often stayed in Poltava with her aunt and cousin Lyudmila. After the unexpected death of Lyudmila, Valentina Vasilievna took upon herself all the worries of raising her daughter Svetlana(pictured) . She became her second mother ...
“Arriving in Kiev, Valentina Vasilievna always stayed with me for the first time”
- Svetlana Vasilievna, you were probably born when your aunt's fame was already gaining momentum?
When Valentina Tolkunova became popular throughout the Soviet Union, I went to first grade. I was terribly proud that a beautiful, slender singer with a long braid, who was often shown on TV, was my aunt. Valentina Vasilievna came to us in Kiev, and then my mother and I went to Poltava. Valechka's own aunt Sofya Nikolaevna lived there. Unfortunately, she is no longer alive. Valentina Vasilievna used to stay in Poltava with her son Kolya and brother Serezha. My mother and I visited only for a while. Mom had a lot of work. She graduated from the Kiev Conservatory, becoming a fairly famous singer. Unfortunately, my mother passed away early. She was only 37 years old ...
- Valentina Vasilievna didn't want to take you to Moscow?
- It was very difficult, because she toured all the time. Therefore, I lived in Kiev with my grandparents. But Valentina Vasilievna constantly watched how my life was going. If dropped out free time, came to Kiev. By the way, I adored this city. After finishing school, I entered a Moscow university and lived with Valentina Vasilievna. True, she never stayed in Moscow. Having received higher education, returned home to Kiev.
I remember when telephone conversations were not yet so available, Valechka wrote me letters. Even while on tour. Later they called each other almost every day. Especially lately, when my aunt was already sick ... She lamented that she could not, as before, pamper her loved ones with gifts.
- Did you like to give gifts?
- What do you! I never came without gifts. I always brought huge suitcases. And not only for relatives, but also for friends. And in Kiev she had a huge number of them. Yuri Rybchinsky and Alexander Zlotnik always came to us for tea. By the way, when Valentina Tolkunova was just beginning her career, there were many Ukrainian folk songs in her repertoire ... During the first years, when she came on tour to Kiev, my aunt stayed with me. Later, of course, she was received as a real star - in the luxurious rooms of central hotels. True, at the same time she always looked to me for tea and said that only here she really rests.
They said that during the tour to Valentina Tolkunova, a line of her fans lined up, who could complain about life.
- It happened. Valentina Vasilievna was a very gentle, caring person. She also had such a voice - affectionate, melodious, she would never yell at anyone. Relatives knew that she did not refuse to help anyone. They also turned to her with material problems, and Valyusha gave money without much hesitation. I remember once a fan wrote her a letter in which she told that she was in poverty, she had nothing to wear. What do you think?! The next day, my aunt put together a parcel for her, packing up a substantial part of her wardrobe.
"Even while in the Botkin hospital, Valyusha was still preparing a concert for May 9"
But Valentina Tolkunova's dresses were famous throughout the Soviet Union. She specially ordered them in Arkhangelsk.
- Yes, I went there several times a year. She had a favorite dressmaker there who knew perfectly well the tastes of her famous client. By the way, the beautiful cream dress in which Valentina Vasilievna was buried was also sewn by her. They wrote that Tolkunova bequeathed that it was in it that she was taken on her last journey, but this is not true. Valyusha did not fully believe that her illness was fatal. Even the doctors decided not to tell her that the disease was incurable. Only we, close relatives, knew about the true situation. Valentina Vasilievna's mother also decided not to tell.
- They say that Tolkunova fought with a terrible illness to the last.
- Until the last days she believed that she would overcome the disease, rise and still go on stage. Even being in the hospital, I was preparing a concert for 9 May. I called Alexandra Pakhmutova from the clinic and asked to write a song especially for her. Tolkunova did NOT prepare for death and, as many said, did not write any will. Aunt wanted to live so much ... Somewhere a couple of days before her death, the director Lev Leshchenko came to her ward. Valentina Vasilievna immediately began to tell him how to get up as soon as possible, to go on stage again.
- This is despite the fact that Valentina Vasilievna has already been treated for cancer.
- Yes, in 2006 she was diagnosed with a terrible disease, her aunt underwent chemotherapy. Unfortunately, due to constant concerts, tours, I did not pay enough attention to myself. No matter how we persuaded her to “stop,” she answered all the time: “The main thing for me is the stage ...” She often repeated that she wanted to keep as many of her songs as possible. She was one of the last to record a disc of spiritual songs.
- Do you remember the last conversation with Valentina Vasilievna?
“It was a few days before her death. She was still conscious. Valya asked me about my affairs, work, and advised me something. She said: "I want so much, Svetochka, that everything was safe with you." You know, she was like a mother to me ... But then, during our last conversation, I did not have the feeling that Valyusha was saying goodbye. The voice was, however, unusually quiet. When she was taken to the intensive care unit, only her mother was nearby. She said that Valyusha said: "Mommy, don't worry, everything will be fine ..." It's scary when you worry about your children ...
- The husband of Valentina Vasilievna, journalist Yuri Paporov, passed away almost after her.
- Yes, he was ill for a long time. Valyusha took him home from the hospital, already being unwell herself. But she decided that she should inspect him. He passed away literally two months after her death. Of course, grief completely broke his health. He could not live without Vali.
- Was Tolkunova a happy woman?
- I think so, although we have never talked with her on any very intimate topics. Valentina Vasilievna was married twice. Her first husband is the famous composer and conductor Yuri Saulsky, but they did not live long. The second husband became her support. They had a son, Kolya. Of course, different things happened in life. But Valya was by nature an optimist, she believed only in good things.
- Did you call her Aunt Valya?
- Just Valya, Valyusha, so I'm used to it since childhood.
"Without a pearl string, Valya never went on stage"
- Is luxurious hair your family wealth?
- Probably (laughs). My mom also had very beautiful hair. They were inherited by me too. As long as I remember Valya, she always had a luxurious long braid. My mother periodically cut her hair, then grew it. But Valya said that she would never change her hairstyle.
Valentina Vasilievna herself admitted that she practically did not have time for the household and the arrangement of her life.
“But what she always had excellent were the cars. Valya loved cars and was an excellent driver from her youth. The last one was a huge silver jeep, which she drove with surprising ease. My aunt has lived all her life in a house located in the very center of Moscow. To be honest, Tolkunova's apartment was simple, not what a star should be. Everything you needed was there, but the furnishings were not chic. Now Valyusha's son lives there. The grand piano remained in the living room - a large one, half a room. It was for him that Valya learned all her songs.
(Pictured) As a child, Valya and her mother Evgenia Nikolaevna (on the far right) often came to Poltava to visit their relatives
Alexandra Pakhmutova often came, sat down to the instrument and played new melodies. All the famous authors of Soviet pop songs visited Tolkunova's house. If someone came, they immediately set the table, put a kettle with strong tea leaves.
- Did Tolkunova like to cook?
- Her house was very hospitable, but Valentina Vasilyevna's mother, who always lived with her, cooked mainly. The guests knew that it was impossible to leave Tolkunova's house without eating and drinking tea. Valya cooked well herself. She made especially tasty borsch, in which she certainly put beans. And her signature dish was cheese cakes.
- Did Valentina Vasilievna stick to diets?
- I did not allow myself sweet and starchy foods. These products were taboo in her house. She loved salads, which she cooked with amazing skill, and fruits. I could sit on apples all day.
Tolkunova's stage outfits were the envy of her colleagues. And in Everyday life was picky in your wardrobe?
- Valyusha could go into a completely ordinary store and buy the first thing she came across. It didn't matter to my aunt who the fashion designer was. Sometimes I bought things and then gave them to me. In fact, until the end of her days, she almost completely clothed me. Sometimes she called and asked: "Svetochka, what do you need?" For her, things have never been a cult. I considered them rather a necessity, like, say, food. She even treated diamonds very calmly. And she didn't like cosmetics. She was painted mainly only for the stage. I remember how she was outraged by one artist who made plastic surgery... "Why? - said Valya. - It is absolutely useless. If the age has already approached, you can't get away from it ... "
- The famous beads woven into Tolkunova's braid were real pearls?
- Of course. It was a pearl thread that Valya had worn since her youth. For her, it was a talisman, without a thread, she did not go on stage. They buried her with her ...
Back on February 17, Valentina Tolkunova was hospitalized in the Botkin hospital after she fell ill during a tour in Belarus.
She had to undergo another course of treatment. At some point, medical procedures helped Valentina Vasilievna. She felt well and even decided to give up chemotherapy. Only the closest people knew about the serious condition of Valentina Vasilyevna - the artist forbade doctors to disclose information about her illnesses.
On the night of March 20, while in her ward, he felt a sharp deterioration in health. The doctors immediately took all the necessary measures and transferred her to intensive care. Unfortunately, all the efforts of the doctors were in vain.
A few hours later, Valentina Vasilievna asked to bring her a priest. Batiushka performed the unction procedure right in the ward.
The immediate cause of her death was acute heart failure. The artist was conscious during her last hours. At 6 o'clock in the morning, Tolkunova fell into a coma, after which she was connected to a ventilator.
Three years ago, the people's favorite was diagnosed with breast cancer. the artist underwent the first operation to remove the tumor and underwent several chemotherapy sessions. The disease seemed to recede. But, as it turned out, she only lurked. Some of the cancer cells survived, and they metastasized to the liver, lungs and brain. Last summer, doctors again had to resort to surgery. Then the doctors did not hide their fears about the degree of the disease - Valentina Vasilievna was diagnosed with the third stage of cancer.
Despite a painful illness, Valentina Vasilievna took part in concerts until recently. She expected to perform at the Theater Russian army on the eve of the 65th anniversary of our Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Valentina Vasilievna Tolkunova deserved truly nationwide love in the 70-80s. She was the performer of many popular songs, including "I'm Standing at a Half-Stop", "Silver Weddings", "My dear, if there were no war."
Valentina Tolkunova was born on July 12, 1946 in Armavir, Krasnodar Territory. A year later, her family moved to Moscow. In 1964 she entered the conductor-choir department at the Moscow State Institute of Culture, graduating in 1976. In 1971 she graduated from the Gnessin School of Music.
In 1966, the composer and conductor Yuri Saulsky organized a vocal-instrumental orchestra "VIO-66" and invited Valechka Tolkunova, at that time, to a vocal group - more precisely, a jazz band. She gave the ensemble five years as a jazz vocalist.
The singer's solo debut took place in 1972 at the recital of the poet Lev Oshanin, where she sang Vladimir Shainsky's song “Ah, Natasha”. Since 1973, Valentina Tolkunova has been the soloist of the Mosconcert, and since 1987, the artistic director of the Moscow Theater of Musical Drama and Song organized by her.
In February 1986, the premiere of the play "Russian Women" based on a poem by Nekrasov, on poems by Pushkin and Koltsov took place, where Valentina Tolkunova performed the main roles. Along with her opera debut, the singer starred in the fantasy film I Believe in the Rainbow the same year. Since 1989 - the head of the theater of musical drama and song of the creative association "ART", in which a number of musical performances were staged.
As a theatrical actress, she appeared on stage in the performances "Waiting" (1989), "I Can't Otherwise" (1990), "Spray of Champagne" (1991), "Don't Leave Me, Love" (1992) "I am your dewdrop, Russian woman "(1995)," The New Spring of Valentina Tolkunova ".
Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1979), People's Artist of Russia (1984). Has toured in Finland, Japan, India, Germany, Luxembourg, USA, Canada, Greece, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Israel. The singer has published 12 records and CDs. She has performed more than 300 songs in musical films and theatrical performances alone. V. Tolkunova 23 times became a laureate of the television competition "Song of the Year".
Refused chemotherapy. The singer claimed that she was feeling well and was on the mend. However, the disease was stronger. “It happened this morning. Valentina Vasilievna and, unfortunately, we were psychologically ready for this,” said the interlocutor of ITAR-TASS. Now the question of the place and time of the funeral is being decided.
Valentina Tolkunova was admitted to the intensive care and anesthesiology department of the Mogilev regional hospital on the evening of February 16, right after a concert in the city Palace of Culture. Doctors explained this malaise as a serious overwork of the singer. Then she was transported to Moscow and she underwent treatment at the Botkin hospital.
Dmitry Medvedev expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the singer, the press service of the President of the Russian Federation reported.
People's Artist of Russia Lev Leshchenko considers Valentina Tolkunova a great singer and a great patriot. The singer told ITAR-TASS about this today, having learned about the death of Valentina Vasilievna.
“To say that I grieve is to say nothing,” he admitted. “I'm just in a trance. Her death is huge,
a tremendous loss for our culture and for all of us artists. "
Leshchenko expressed his condolences to the Tolkunova family.
Singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli believes that "without Tolkunova's pearly light, bright voice, our stage will be orphaned." "It is very difficult to talk about Valentina Vasilievna in the past tense," Gverdtsiteli admitted. According to the singer, Tolkunova was a real artist... “Already being very ill, she still went on stage and none of us even imagined that she had a very serious illness,” she said.
“Tolkunova was fragile, gentle, she embodied the image of a real Russian woman,” the singer said. She noticed that she would really miss communication with Valentina Vasilievna. “We talked a lot with her in the dressing rooms, Valentina Vasilievna always treated people kindly, gave advice tactfully and tried to convey her experience,” Gverdtsiteli said.
"Valentina Tolkunova was like a sister on the stage for me," Iosif Kobzon admitted. According to the singer, he was engaged in concert activities of an aspiring singer, having invited her to the Mosconcert. "She was a young, timid performer," said Kobzon, "but we put her together with the wonderful accompanist David Ashkenazi, and they formed a wonderful creative union."
According to Joseph Kobzon, Valentina Tolkunova was not only an excellent singer for everyone, but also a loved one. "All her songs: about snub-nosed noses, and about silver weddings, and" Talk to Me, Mom "were understandable and reached the hearts of the listeners, - Iosif Kobzon is sure. - I do not think that anyone will occupy her niche. there was one. "
Kobzon said that he knew about the serious illness of Valentina Tolkunova. But, as always, death came unexpectedly. “Now we are engaged in decently seeing off our dear, beloved Valya,” said Kobzon. He is convinced that it is necessary to say goodbye to a wonderful singer in State Theater stage.
Valentina Tolkunova was 63 years old. In 1966 she came to the big band under the direction of Yuri Saulsky, sang jazz music... Among the most famous songs she performed are "I'm Standing at a Half-Station", "I Can't Otherwise", "Snub-noses" and "In everything I want to get to the very bottom."
Tolkunova - Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1979), People's Artist of Russia (1984), recalls Interfax. She toured Finland, Japan, India, Germany, Luxembourg, USA, Canada, Greece, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Israel. The singer has published 12 records and CDs. She has performed more than 300 songs in musical films and theatrical performances alone. Tolkunova won the Song of the Year television competition 23 times.
Valentina Tolkunova is a legendary Soviet singer, whose work has long become synonymous with Russian folk songs. During her career, this bright singer has performed more than a dozen inimitable compositions, and therefore today her work seems to be a real cultural phenomenon - the music of a whole generation.That is why Valentina Tolkunova is rarely called a "star", but more often called a "legend". After all, her work exists outside the boundaries of space and time. That is why the conversation about the life and career path of the great Soviet singer seems so interesting.
The early years, childhood and family of Valentina Tolkunova
Future famous singer was born in the city of Armavir on July 12, 1946. As Valentina herself recalled, music filled her life from the very early years... Her parents loved Russians folk songs and guitar romances, and therefore very soon she herself fell in love with such music.However, all this did not happen in Armavir. The thing is that the family of our today's heroine moved to Moscow when Valentina was only a year old. In the capital of the RSFSR, she went to school, and also began to engage in musical creativity for the first time. The first step to the big stage for our today's heroine was the ensemble of the Central House of Children of Railway Workers, which at that time was managed by S.O.Dunaevsky.
In this place, our today's heroine honed her skills, practicing singing with an experienced teacher Tatyana Ovchinnikova. Valentina Tolkunova began performing on stage at the age of ten.
As the singer herself admitted, music has always been an important part of her life. It was incredibly difficult for Valentina Tolkunova to imagine herself without a microphone in her hands. That is why, after graduating from the standard school "ten-year", our today's heroine decided to continue her studies at the conductor-choral department of the Moscow State Institute of Culture. Diploma of completion of this educational institution Valentina Tolkunova received it a few years later. However, this was not enough for her. Trying to make her talent truly unique, in 1966 the Russian singer entered the Gnessin Music School.
It was here that the future celebrity first began to get involved in the fashionable jazz at that time. In 1966, she went to audition for the VIO-66 team and successfully passed the tests. In the vocal and instrumental orchestra, the girl worked as a soloist for five years. During these years, her repertoire consisted mainly of jazz and instrumental music. It was these songs that were most in demand among listeners at that time, and therefore all the concerts of Tolkunova and VIO-66 were held with constant success.
Valentina Tolkunova - I cannot do otherwise
In 1971, just after graduating from the Gnessin School, the talented singer received an offer to record several compositions specifically for the TV movie "Day by Day". The artist agreed and very soon her songs became one of the main components of the success of the entire tape. Moreover, some time later, these compositions were released on a separate disc, which literally in a matter of weeks became a real bestseller in the USSR.
Star Trek of singer Valentina Tolkunova
After the first success, Valentina Tolkunova often received offers from prominent Soviet composers. Thus, compositions by M. Tariverdiev, E. Kolmanovsky, V. Uspensky and many, many others appeared in the singer's repertoire. These songs strengthened the singer's popularity on the Soviet stage, and very soon L. Oshanin invited the young artist to perform on the stage of the Column Hall in Moscow as part of a large anniversary concert. The performance turned out to be successful, and soon our today's heroine began to frequently appear on radio and television.In 1973, Valentina Tolkunova became the soloist of the Mosconcert. It was during this period that a pronounced tilt towards traditional Russian songs began in the singer's work. The image of a simple rural woman suited the popular Soviet performer very well. Very soon Valentina Vasilievna developed her own unusual style, which was based on a subtle combination of "cordiality, dignity and gentleness." Her vocals have always had a characteristic folk manner of performance, and therefore the transition from pop songs to folk songs was given to a woman unusually easily.
Valentina Tolkunova - Noses-Kurnosiki
It is unique musical style and made Valentina Tolkunova one of the most popular and sought-after singers of her time. She performed at many concerts, sang in front of high-ranking officials and millions of ordinary spectators.
In 1986, as a real legend of the Soviet stage, the woman created her own song theater. Within the framework of this project, the great singer staged many wonderful musical performances, each of which was very popular among the audience. The most famous were the performances "Russian women", "Spray of champagne", "Do not leave me, love", "I cannot do otherwise", as well as many others. All the performances of the song theater were staged on the stage of the Rossiya Concert Hall.
For his many years of work and great contribution to development musical art, Valentina Tolkunova received the title of Honored, and then People's Artist RSFSR. In addition, there are many other awards in her personal collection. A special place among those is occupied by the Orders of Honor and Friendship, awarded to the Russian singer in 1996 and 2006, respectively.
V last years In her life, the woman did a lot of charity work. She gave concerts for large families, and also donated to the restoration of various churches.
Death of singer Valentina Tolkunova, cause of death
In 2006, Valentina Tolkunova was diagnosed with breast cancer. An operation followed, a long course of chemotherapy ... In the end, the treatment bore fruit, but in 2009, the artist was diagnosed with another tumor - the brain. It was she who became the cause of the death of the singer.
The grave of Valentina Tolkunova is today in Moscow at the Troekurovsky cemetery.
Personal life of Valentina Tolkunova
There were two marriages in the singer's life. The first spouse of Valentina Tolkunova was the composer Yuri Saulsky. The marriage with him lasted five years.In 1977, the woman remarried. The new husband of the artist was journalist Yuri Paporov. In this marriage, the woman gave birth to her only son - Nikolai (born 1977) With her husband Yuri, our today's heroine lived until the end of her days.