"After 40, life is just beginning": the swan song of the popular favorite of Mark Bernes

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

His songs "Dark Night", "Path - Frontal Track", "Cranes" were sung by the whole country. And his swan song, the most important in life, was Lilia Bodrova. Mark Bernes, who was reputed to be a womanizer and brawler, accidentally found himself with this woman at the same desk, already being a famous singer, and turned out to be faithful to her until the last day. And she gave him love and breathed life into him.

School acquaintance

No, they did not study in the same class, but they had a chance to sit at the same desk. On September 1, 1960, Mark Bernes brought his daughter to the first class of a specialized Moscow French school. On the same day, Lilia Bodrova and her husband Lucien brought their son Jean to the same class. Seeing the singer, she noted a familiar face, but confused it with Kryuchkov. Lilia Lucien's husband, a French journalist, corrected her husband and introduced her to the actor.

Their meeting took place at a time when both had difficulties and problems. For the fourth year already, Mark Bernes raised his daughter himself after the death of his first wife, and in the previous two years he was subjected to rather severe persecution in the press. His every step was presented in an impartial light. However, Mark Naumovich did not lose heart, although he could hardly endure the period of oblivion.

Everything was no better for Lilia Bodrova. She married a man who was looking for her in Moscow after a chance meeting. It seemed that such perseverance could become a guarantee, if not great love, then at least fidelity. A well-to-do life in a decent family promised the most promising prospects. But in fact it turned out that Lucien is not at all a monogamous person. Leela was informed about this by her mother-in-law, urging the young wife to be sympathetic to such a feature of her husband. Lilya was not at all happy with this state of affairs. But every time after the betrayal, Lucien asked her forgiveness, swore that this would never happen again, and asked to give him another chance.

Even a first-grader son, who, more than ever, needed male attention, did not force Lucien to abandon his usual way of life. Lily suffered from loneliness and misunderstanding. Every time she came to school for her son, she met Natasha, the daughter of Mark Naumovich. The girl invariably conveyed greetings to her from her dad and, on his behalf, was interested in her well-being. It was surprising: her condition is interesting to a completely stranger and completely indifferent to her husband.

At the parent meeting, Mark Naumovich and Lilia Mikhailovna were at the same desk. And when the school formalities were over, the singer invited her to visit her friends to listen to Aznavour's record. And she agreed.

Love is not at first sight

From that day on, they met occasionally. Bernes invited her to private screenings of new films, was very attentive when meeting. And during his departures, he invariably asked through Natasha how things were with Lilia Mikhailovna. After a month and a half, Lilia already understood that her real family had no future. A few days later, Mark himself invited her to leave her husband. However, Leela did not have enough determination for this.

Soon she was hospitalized, and rumors spread around Moscow about her affair with Bernes. The actor himself said that Lilia was his swan song. He was sure that with her he could start life anew. Lucien became aware of Bernes's plans for Lily. After the woman was discharged from the hospital, he threw a real scandal for her and tormented her husband for a long time with demands to confess everything. As a result, I went to Mark Naumovich, brought him to their house and sent Lilia to him.

So Lilia Mikhailovna ended up in the house of Bernes. And stayed there forever. At first, she did not experience tremulous feelings. She felt sorry for Natasha, who grew up without a mother. And this not very young, but very charming man, caring for her so carefully, was pleasant as a woman. Gradually, respect, gratitude, sympathy was replaced by true love.

Do not part with your loved ones

They almost never parted. Mark Naumovich categorically refused to go anywhere without her. He himself got her to work for him. Now, at all concerts, only Lilya had the right to announce his release, even if there was a professional entertainer. And on all the tours and tours, Lilia certainly accompanied him.

Their life together could not be called carefree. Material difficulties were felt in full measure, Bernes did not earn much. But at the same time, he never forgot about his wife, paid her a lot of attention and even was jealous of her children, believing that she spends a lot of time on them. Although he himself was very fond of both his daughter and his adopted son.

At the same time, he admitted that it was Lilya who taught him to live beautifully. She took upon herself the solution of all everyday problems, thanks to her efforts, Bernes's old apartment became the most beautiful in Moscow, as they both believed. And on the table there were always Lilia Mikhailovna's favorite roses and carnations.

Fate has measured them only nine years of happiness. In 1969, Mark Naumovich was diagnosed with inoperable oncology. He was gone in just two months. He left on August 16, 1969. She was able to put two children on their feet, Natasha and Jean. But she could no longer find personal happiness. It was impossible to get married after Mark Bernes.

Mark Bernes and Lilia Bodrova were inseparable, always supporting each other and helping in everything. The secret of the relationship has not yet been revealed, although they have lived together for more than half a century.