How the star of Soviet television lives after the loss of her only son: Truth and fiction in the life of Svetlana Morgunova

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In the era of Soviet television, Svetlana Morgunova was one of the few television presenters on whom millions of Soviet women were equal. She was distinguished by her special style, always looked perfect and her every appearance on the screen, be it a concert or the popular Blue Light program, was greeted with delight by the audience. While working on television and after Svetlana Morgunova's retirement, many rumors arose around her. In the spring of 2020, the TV presenter buried her only son, who was her pride and reliable support in life.

Actress, teacher, TV presenter

She was born and raised in Moscow, lived on the Arbat, not far from the Vakhtangov Theater, where she went to see performances almost every evening. Once she saw an advertisement for the recruitment of a youth group to the Mossovet Theater, which was announced by Yuri Zavadsky. Of course, she decided to do it.

Legendary actors were sitting in the selection committee: Vera Maretskaya, Lyubov Orlova, Rostislav Plyatt. They were the ones who made the decision to join the studio. Svetlana Morgunova passed a rigorous selection process and started her studies. True, she never graduated from the studio, although she participated in several performances. The fact is that she read a new announcement in the newspaper, this time about recruiting for the announcer's group. Subsequently, the legendary Yuri Levitan became her mentor and "godfather" in the profession.

When Svetlana Morgunova was asked if she wanted to become a TV star, she just laughed and called herself a simple "teacher." And, although there is nowhere mention of Svetlana Mikhailovna's graduation from the philological faculty, she herself admitted: she did an internship at a school for working youth, and the students came to her lessons with pleasure.

Svetlana Morgunova even gave television Russian language lessons in the 1970s. The program was broadcast in Japan and attracted thousands of audiences at the screens. The beauty presenter has become a very popular person in the Land of the Rising Sun. One of the Japanese, struck by the beauty and charm of the Soviet announcer, even embroidered her portrait with satin stitch, having copied it first from the TV screen.

Truth and fiction

It went on the air for the first time on April 12, 1961, during a concert in the Small Hall of the Conservatory. It was very exciting and will be remembered for a lifetime. Svetlana Morgunova served on television for almost half a century. During this time she held hundreds of concerts and programs, but the programs "Time" and "Blue Light" brought her popularity.

Svetlana Mikhailovna has repeatedly held concerts in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses and in the House of Unions, represented famous actors and performers. However, at that time she herself could already be called a real star. She always looked impeccable: stylish, fit, with a constant smile on her face. Millions of Soviet women tried to imitate her, copying the hairstyle of the announcer and trying to repeat her style of dress.

Svetlana Morgunova has always been a very open person, she was happy to communicate with fans, but she never allowed interference in her personal life. This gave rise to a lot of rumors and speculation. From time to time they talked about the announcer's romance with different performers, and the fact of her unofficial relationship with Muslim Magomayev was considered almost proven.

When the journalists asked Svetlana Mikhailovna a direct question, she honestly admitted: sympathy was always present in relations with Muslim Magometovich. As with his wife Tamara Sinyavskaya. She often hosted concerts of the legendary singer and was delighted to have the opportunity to communicate with this talented person.

The announcer was also proud of the fact that fate gave her the happiness to meet many talented people, composers, poets, actors, singers and many others. Gennady Khazanov tested the sparkling of his jokes on her, Joseph Kobzon treated her with great warmth, but Svetlana Mikhailovna had no novels with celebrities.

For her, romances at work were generally unacceptable. As the announcer herself admitted, her upbringing did not allow her to start intrigues.

Two marriages and the main man in life

Svetlana Mikhailovna was married twice. Her first marriage was very happy, but the husband of the announcer and the father of her only son Maxim died suddenly. The second attempt to build their personal happiness was unsuccessful, and the family fell apart.

The announcer always spent a lot of time at work, but at the same time managed to raise her son. Maxim was very attached to his mother, was proud of her, admired her beauty and sense of style. He served in the army, graduated from the university, worked, hosted the "Military Affairs" program on the NTV channel, and then moved to the press service of the "Kolomenskoye" museum. Maxim was always the main man in the life of the legendary announcer.

After Svetlana Morgunova retired, rumors began to appear in the press that the legendary presenter had ceased to take care of herself and even became addicted to alcohol. However, all this did not correspond to reality. Svetlana Mikhailovna has really passed in recent years, but one must understand that she is already at a very mature age, and therefore it is not at all necessary to expect that she will look the same as she did half a century ago.

She herself admitted: if she needs the help of a plastic surgeon, she will most likely get cold feet and give up the idea of the operation.

Life after loss

In May 2020, the son of Svetlana Mikhailovna Maxim died as a result of complications caused by infection with the coronavirus. This was a severe blow to the mother. After Maxim's funeral, the announcer told her friends that her life had lost its meaning. At first, she only ate and slept, practically refused to communicate with people.

But friends did not leave Svetlana Morgunova to fend for herself. They constantly call the former announcer, asking about her health. An au pair is always next to Svetlana Mikhailovna, and Maxim's widow and his daughter often visit their mother-in-law and grandmother. Of course, she desperately yearns, endlessly revisits Maxim's photographs.

After a severe shock, her health problems worsened, she is worried about heart pain and pressure. But Svetlana Morgunova decided to live for the sake of her granddaughter, to hold on as far as her strength is. And she lives, no matter how difficult it is, enjoys the visits of her friend and sister, tries to keep herself in shape as much as possible.

Svetlana Morgunova's colleague Anna Shatilova was one of the most famous Soviet TV presenters. She still appears on screens and amazes with her magnificent appearance, high professionalism and self-esteem. But there is a thing that even today haunts the legendary Anna Shatilova, who was called the face of Soviet television.