How Yuri Gagarin conquered women's hearts: Lunch with the Queen, a walk with Lollobrigida and Piekha in his arms
How Yuri Gagarin conquered women's hearts: Lunch with the Queen, a walk with Lollobrigida and Piekha in his arms

Video: How Yuri Gagarin conquered women's hearts: Lunch with the Queen, a walk with Lollobrigida and Piekha in his arms

Video: How Yuri Gagarin conquered women's hearts: Lunch with the Queen, a walk with Lollobrigida and Piekha in his arms
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52 years ago, on March 27, 1968, the life of Yuri Gagarin was cut short. His name is known to the whole world - he became the first astronaut to fly into space, opening the era of manned space flights. They say that he was not only a high-class professional, but also a very charming person, before whose charm the first beauties both in the USSR and abroad could not resist. What connected him with Edita Piekha and Svetlana Svetlichnaya, how he conquered Gina Lollobrigida and what he remembered during his visit to the UK - further in the review.

Gina Lollobrigida and Yuri Gagarin at the II Moscow International Film Festival, July 1961. Photo by J. Khalip
Gina Lollobrigida and Yuri Gagarin at the II Moscow International Film Festival, July 1961. Photo by J. Khalip
Gina Lollobrigida and Yuri Gagarin at the II Moscow International Film Festival, July 1961
Gina Lollobrigida and Yuri Gagarin at the II Moscow International Film Festival, July 1961

After April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarina became the most popular person and the main character of the news not only in the USSR, but also abroad. When the International Film Festival opened 3 months later in Moscow, the cosmonaut became the most honored guest at it. And even world stars of the first magnitude considered it an honor to meet the Soviet hero. Among the invited celebrities was the legendary Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida.

Gina Lollobrigida and Yuri Gagarin at the II Moscow International Film Festival, July 1961
Gina Lollobrigida and Yuri Gagarin at the II Moscow International Film Festival, July 1961
Italian actresses Gina Lollobrigida and Marisa Merlini during a reception at the Ministry of Culture with Yuri Gagarin and Ekaterina Furtseva
Italian actresses Gina Lollobrigida and Marisa Merlini during a reception at the Ministry of Culture with Yuri Gagarin and Ekaterina Furtseva

When Gina arrived in the USSR, the organizers of the festival asked who she would like to meet. Later, the actress said: "".

The Italian film actress kissed Yuri Gagarin on the cheek. Photo by L. Velikzhanin and V. Mastyukov
The Italian film actress kissed Yuri Gagarin on the cheek. Photo by L. Velikzhanin and V. Mastyukov

Pictures in which the Italian star looks at the Soviet cosmonaut with loving eyes, and then kisses him on the cheek, have spread all over the world. They were then published by about 600 world newspapers and magazines. And in the West, they immediately crawled dry about their romance - allegedly they secretly met in America and Paris. In fact, these speculations had nothing to do with reality - their meeting at the film festival was the only one, although it really made an indelible impression on the Italian actress.

The famous kiss. Photo by J. Khalip
The famous kiss. Photo by J. Khalip

The astronaut's wife, a modest nurse Valentina Goryacheva, soon had to come to terms with the fact that thousands of women were eager to get to know her husband better. Wherever he appeared, Gagarin made a splash - girls rushed to him on the streets, at receptions, at solemn meetings. Those of them, whom the guards did not have time to drag away, rushed to kiss and tore the buttons on their uniforms. They say that Gagarin even carried spare buttons with him in this case. At the same time, overseas fans reacted in the same way.

Yuri Gagarin in Great Britain, July 11, 1961
Yuri Gagarin in Great Britain, July 11, 1961
Yuri Gagarin in Great Britain, July 11, 1961
Yuri Gagarin in Great Britain, July 11, 1961

In the same July 1961, cosmonaut No. 1 went on a visit to Great Britain. There were so many people wishing to see the Soviet hero that they lined up in a living corridor on both sides of the road from the airport to Buckingham Palace. The Englishwomen besieged Gagarin in the streets, gave flowers, applauded, tried to touch him at least with the tip of their finger. And the bravest one broke through the crowd and kissed the astronaut on the cheek. Gagarin was very embarrassed, and 23-year-old Olivia Bryden then told reporters: "".

A crowd of people meeting a Soviet cosmonaut in London, July 11, 1961
A crowd of people meeting a Soviet cosmonaut in London, July 11, 1961
An English girl gives flowers to Gagarin at the Soviet embassy in London, July 11, 1961
An English girl gives flowers to Gagarin at the Soviet embassy in London, July 11, 1961

An official banquet in his honor was not planned - even Khrushchev was only given a tea party at the royal residence, so Gagarin was invited to lunch with Queen Elizabeth II. On July 14, he was brought to Buckingham Palace, and there were some curiosities. Growing up in a simple peasant family, Gagarin did not know all the intricacies of secular etiquette and did not know how to use all the cutlery that he saw in front of him. But the astronaut was not at a loss - he took a spoon, put salad in his plate and said with a smile: "" The queen supported him, also took a spoon and turned to the guests: ""

Yuri Gagarin in Great Britain, July 11, 1961
Yuri Gagarin in Great Britain, July 11, 1961
Queen Elizabeth in the fall of 1961
Queen Elizabeth in the fall of 1961

And then another embarrassment happened: during tea drinking Gagarin fished out a slice of lemon from a cup and ate it. And the queen again followed suit! And after lunch, Elizabeth allowed herself another liberty: the monarch could not take pictures with ordinary people, and she herself suggested that the cosmonaut take a joint picture as a souvenir! And later she gave the following comment to journalists: “”.

Yuri Gagarin carries Edita Piekha on his back
Yuri Gagarin carries Edita Piekha on his back

Among Soviet celebrities, Yuri Gagarin enjoyed no less popularity. For a long time there were rumors that the astronaut had an affair with the singer Edita Piekha. Years later, the artist revealed the secret of their communication. They met at one of the meetings in Peredelkino, where art workers and astronauts drank tea and played volleyball and basketball. During the game, Piekha twisted her leg and could not move independently. She recalled: "".

Yuri Gagarin and Edita Piekha
Yuri Gagarin and Edita Piekha

The astronaut was credited with novels with many famous actresses, although in reality this was not. Svetlana Svetlichnaya commented on the rumors about her relationship with the astronaut: "".

Svetlana Svetlichnaya and Yuri Gagarin, with whom she was credited with an affair
Svetlana Svetlichnaya and Yuri Gagarin, with whom she was credited with an affair
Cosmonaut with his wife Valentina on Red Square, November 7, 1961
Cosmonaut with his wife Valentina on Red Square, November 7, 1961

But in fact, the cosmonaut met his first and only love back in 1953, and 4 years later they got married. Yuri and Valentina Gagarins: always together.

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