If geographically and politically the Soviet Union has long been dead, then in pop culture it continues to exist as if nothing had happened - in the person of such figures as, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, or Sofia, who turns 70 on August 7.

The biographical information about Rotaru alone seems to contain the entire history of the country - she was born in the village of Marshantsy in the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine in a Moldovan family; In the early 90s, there was a joke that during the negotiations in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the leaders of Russia and Ukraine asked themselves the question “how will we divide Rotaru.”

Her career began to develop at a time when Soviet ideologists finally allowed the flowers of national cultures to bloom.

Seventies

Many believe that Rotaru’s fame began to really accelerate with the musical film “Chervona Ruta” of 1971, in which Rotaru played main role and the name of which she then took for her ensemble. In fact, the Festival of Youth and Students, held in Bulgaria three years earlier, can also compete for the title of the launching pad of her career - she won there gold medal, performing songs in Ukrainian and Romanian.

And the first success came about ten years earlier and consisted of many stages - regional, then republican amateur art competitions, the conducting and choral department of the Chernivtsi Music College, in the absence of a vocal one.

Photo report: Sofia Rotaru was admitted to intensive care

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The key to Rotaru’s success was a clear and even in the best sense words a calculated mixture of national and cosmopolitan repertoires: so, from the very beginning creative activity continued her collaboration with composer Vladimir Ivasyuk from Lviv, but at the same time sang songs by Arno Babajanyan and Vladimir Matetsky; Other poets who need no introduction also wrote texts for them. And it’s not just that collaboration with the highest caste of Soviet pop composers and poetry guilds served as a pass to the big stage.

Such omnivorousness allowed her to organically weave songs from the Soviet outskirts into different languages into your program and use it skillfully - by at least, declarative - course Soviet authorities to support national cultures.

And thus everyone likes it: both Mosconcert officials and residents Russian capitals, and to his fellow countrymen on both sides of the Ukrainian-Moldovan border.

It’s interesting that the singer, seemingly favored by the authorities, had her share of disgrace in her career. More precisely, it worked out - in 1975, she had a conflict with the local Chernivtsi regional committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine, and therefore she and her ensemble moved to Yalta. Nothing definite is known about its causes until now - Rotaru herself said that she moved to Crimea due to the onset of asthma. Possible reason there was an increased share of the repertoire in Ukrainian and collaboration with authors from Western Ukraine. It is interesting that the shake-up and stress gave new impetus to her career: the singer’s records (first long-players) began to be released by the Melodiya company, and she herself was invited to Munich to record a disc at the Ariola company. Then she had a large-scale tour of Western and Eastern Europe.

Eighties

The decade of transition from stagnation to perestroika became the peak of her career - it was at this moment that, with the help of radio and television, she became a constant presence in the life of the country, coming to almost every home and sounding from every window. And the trigger for this popularity, again, as in the case of “Chervona Ruta,” was cinema—more precisely, two films with her songs and participation. In 1980, “Where Are You, Love?” was released, a kind of adaptation of the plot of “Come Tomorrow” to a more modern realities. The film was quite autobiographical - in it, a young girl came to an amateur song competition with a composition by Raymond Pauls, the same name as the film, and left as its main triumph.

The film turned out to be mega-popular - Melodiya released a record with songs from the film, and the whole country sang songs based on poems by the best Soviet poets.

A year later, another picture was released - “Soul”, an autobiographical melodrama about the singer’s loss of her voice and reassessment of values. The participants of “Time Machine” starred in it as musicians, the songs were written by and, and Rotaru’s partner was who was then at the peak of popularity. The second picture completed the formation of a personal mythology around her, and her triumphant tour in Canada gave her the status of a real export star, in the language of trade, suitable for both domestic consumption and export.

However, it seems that it was this stardom and this status that became the reason for the actual second disgrace - she was forbidden foreign tours(there were more and more requests for this).

It got to the point of being funny - representatives of a German concert agency once received a paper in response to an invitation: “This kind of person doesn’t work here.”

Nevertheless, Rotaru actively participated in “Songs of the Year” and continued to collaborate with both top Russian-language authors and Moldovan poets - for example, Gheorghe Vieru, who wrote the songs “Romantica” and “Melancolie” for her. However, it ended - it was a failure, it must be admitted - it fell into disgrace only with the beginning of perestroika.

A turning point in this sense can be considered the beginning of collaboration with Vladimir Matetsky, which entailed (or, conversely, was the reason) for a change in image - instead of a chansonnier with folk roots, Rotaru turned into a disco and rock vocalist. More precisely, she was still an ideal opponent for the rock musicians of the Leningrad Rock Club and the Moscow Rock Laboratory, however, starting with the quite romantic “Lavender”, she eventually began to perform fast things - the very ones for which she is still remembered por: “Moon, moon”, “It was, but it’s gone”, “Only this is not enough.” The latter was a completely bold experiment - a poem full of nostalgic sadness was turned by Matetsky into a real rock action movie. They worked together for 15 long years - until the end of those very 90s, when honored artists were decisively scrapped, and new ones were nominated in their place.

Nineties - today

Moreover, it is worth noting that Rotaru never became an archival star - like the generation of pop stars a generation older, who quietly and with dignity retired into teaching and “Old songs about the main thing.”

She, who began her career with the help of her mother, a trader at the collective farm market, had some amazing, as they say these days, marketing sense: some amazingly at the right moments in time she guessed the situation and the time when she needed to change her image or do something new.

So, for example, it was she who at one time - back in the early 90s - noticed a trend among new pop stars to perform with backup dancers and invited the then not very famous troupe "Todes" to perform with her.

The head of the dance theater, Alla Dukhova, said that these concerts were the first step towards the future fame of the dance troupe.

At the same time, she is not at all characterized by a passion for continuous updating and oblivion of the old repertoire - she did not shy away from anniversaries, nostalgic reissues, etc. In 2012-2013, she launched a big anniversary tour dedicated to the 40th anniversary of her creative activity. Rather, on the contrary - carefully and tightly mixing old hits with new ones, she presented her songs as part of one, never interrupted (and, by and large, not influenced by time) process. Moreover, it seems that in her case this is not a concept, but a philosophy - because both her biography and her statements indicate that for her this is a way of life.

Another feature of her philosophy remains her political position. Although it would be more correct to say humanitarian - a Kiev resident by registration and a Yalta resident by actual place of residence, in 2004 she distributed food on the Maidan to representatives of both opposing camps.

And later, in the wake of the big advent Ukrainian musicians into politics, she even tried to run for the Rada from Lytvyn’s bloc. At the same time, at the present time, she in every possible way refrains from any involvement in the foul-smelling Russian-Ukrainian propaganda wars that cause suffering to both peoples: after the annexation of Crimea, she did not accept Russian citizenship (according to her, because of registration in Kyiv) and especially noted that is a citizen of Ukraine.

At the same time, in fact, she and her songs remain part of the life of divided citizens of a once united country.

Informals of the 80s considered her songs an example of Soviet pop officialdom - now they sound like last memory about that utopia of the unity of the country and the friendship of peoples, to which the Soviet Union at least tried to get closer and the final collapse of which we are witnessing now. And that is why there is a risk that many leaders of the countries sharing this singer will remain small politicians era of Sofia Rotaru.

The pop legend is, of course, quite old, but calling her an old lady or a grandmother is simply too much of a stretch. Because Sofia Mikhailovna only blossoms over the years - as if she were drinking the Macropolus remedy, the elixir of youth. And now she looks even more beautiful than at the beginning of her career. “TN” offers to visually - through photographs - trace how the image of the artist has changed over these decades.

1973

Singer Sofia Rotaru during the pop song festival “Golden Orpheus”, 1973. Photo: TASS Photo Chronicle

The singer was photographed on stage during the Golden Orpheus pop song festival. The competition took place in Bulgaria, in the Sunny Beach resort. Sofia then performed two compositions: “Song about my city” and “Bird” (in Bulgarian). And she received first prize. In the same year, she was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Ukrainian SSR. And in 1971, Ukrtelefilm released a concert film with her participation called “Chervona Ruta” directed by Roman Oleksiv.

1978

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 1978. Photo: Archive/TASS

By this time, the singer’s repertoire already included many songs, among which are always greeted with applause “My Motherland” (“I, you, he, she ...”), “ Swan fidelity", "The Ballad of a Mother" ("Alyoshenka"), "Give Me Back the Music", "Apple Trees in Blossom", "Darkie".

1981

Singer Sofia Rotaru during the filming of the musical film “Soul”, 1981. Photo: Nikolay Malyshev/TASS

Sofia Rotaru was photographed during the filming of the musical film “Soul” directed by Alexander Stefanovich. Sofia Mikhailovna played in this musical drama the role of singer Victoria Svobodina. However, her character was voiced by actress Larisa Danilina - after all, Rotaru speaks with a noticeable Moldavian accent.

There is a very vague story connected with this picture: in one of his interviews, Andrei Makarevich said that initially the role was offered to Alla Pugacheva, but Alexander Stefanovich denies this.

The film is partly based on real events: Rotaru was sick with tuberculosis, and during this period she was in creative crisis. The prudent director made correct bet: rumors about the singer’s ill health were picked up by fans, which helped to “promote” the film.

Before the film “Soul”, Sofia starred in another film: “Where are you, love?” directed by Valeriu Gagiu.

1986

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 1986. Photo: Gennady Prokhorov/TASS

By this time, very popular songs appeared in Rotaru’s repertoire: Romantice, “Lavender”, “Moon, Moon”, and then others: “Golden Heart”, “It Was, But It’s Gone”, “Only This Is Not Enough”, “Golden Heart” , "Wild Swans". They were written and performed in Euro-pop and even hard rock styles.

1993

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 1993, Kyiv. Photo: Oleg Buldakov/TASS

Sofia Rotaru after a concert in Kyiv. In the 90s, the super hit “Khutoryanka” was released. Even at this difficult times Rotaru invariably remains at the top of Olympus in show business.

2003

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 2003. Photo: Global Look Press

This year in Moscow on the alley in front of concert hall“Russia” was the name of the singer’s star. In the mid-2000s, songs such as “The sky is me!”, “I loved him...”, “I will name the planet...” were released.

2007

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 2007. Photo: Global Look Press

This year the singer turned 60 years old. Take a closer look at her face: how can you say that this face middle-aged woman? Many famous artists and politicians from different countries We came to Yalta that summer to congratulate Rotaru. And in the fall, her concerts were held at the Kremlin Palace.

2008

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 2008. Photo: Anatoly Lomokhov

It is enough to compare two photos - 2007 and 2008 - to understand how the singer likes to change. Sofia is a regular participant in the “Song of the Year”: in the entire history of the competition, Rotaru broke the record by performing 83 songs.

2012

Singer Sofia Rotaru, 2012. Photo: Anatoly Lomokhov

In this photo, Rotaru is 65 years old. In 2012, the artist went on an anniversary tour of Russian cities. But already in 2013, her musical style again changes somewhat: she performs the song “You are the best” in an ethno-style.

2017

Singer Sofia Rotaru Photo: instagram.com

Have a nice holiday, Sofia Mikhailovna!

In a word, Sofia Rotaru only gets prettier over the years. It’s not for nothing that after the New Year’s celebrations in 2017, a joke circulated on the Internet: “If you show “Blue Light” from 1997 today, no one will notice the catch. Well, maybe Rotaru has gotten younger.”

“Rotaru hasn’t been singing for a long time, because she hasn’t been able to do it physically since 1974. Modern technology allows Rotaru to record songs using notes. She has her own secret studio in Kyiv. Then the tapes are played at concerts. There are no problems with television at all - there is always a soundtrack. The most terrible deception...”, Rotaru spoke about Sofia famous composer Evgeniy Doga.

But many years later, the singer herself commented on it like this:

“There have always been many legends about me. Composer Evgeniy Doga did his best. I was the first to sing his song “My White City.” Then he offered me a couple more of his songs, but they didn’t suit me, and I rather delicately refused to take them into my repertoire. The composer was probably offended and, in a fit of anger, gave an interview where he accused me of almost all mortal sins. That, they say, I have an underground studio in Ukraine, where I hum a few notes, and then with the help of powerful equipment they are “pulled out” into a whole song! I remained silent, and everyone thought that I had nothing to answer. And I considered it beneath my dignity to refute nonsense..."

Photo:fortuna- rotaru. com

So who really is Sofia Rotaru - a shameless “plywood worker” or a brilliant singer and idol of several generations of Soviet viewers?

Songs “I loved him” and “I will name the planet”

Video:youtube. com/Sofia Rotaru

For many years, Sofia Rotaru was considered the No. 2 singer in the USSR. The first place was firmly held, and still holds today, by Alla Pugacheva, which, of course, is true. And the Diva had more hits than Rotaru, and Sofia Mikhailovna always avoided shocking scandals, which, alas, did not add to her popularity.

Despite the fact that Rotaru appeared on the stage before Pugacheva and was very popular in the early 70s, she failed to retain the “palm of championship”. Rotaru’s voice failed him. Or rather, his temporary absence.

In the early 70s, Sofia Rotaru and the Chervona Ruta ensemble that accompanied her, led by the singer’s husband Anatoly Evdokimenko, toured the country like crazy. Sometimes they performed several times a day without any days off at all. Crowds came to listen to the already famous Ukrainian singer. But this did not pass without a trace for Rotaru:

“At one time, nodules appeared on my vocal cords from overexertion - like polyps. They are treated surgically. Almost all of our stars went through this, and more than once. After the operation, I was strictly ordered to remain silent for two months and not to sing under any circumstances. But I didn’t listen, and complications began. After the second operation, I didn’t speak at all for a month. I haven't worked for a year. Because of this, probably, there were rumors that Rotaru would no longer be able to sing and would only work to a soundtrack…” recalls People's Artist USSR.

It was at that time, in 1973, that Sofia Rotaru brilliantly sang the song “My White City” by composer Evgeniy Doga based on the verses of Grigory Voda, which was voted for by television viewers and reached the finals of the “Song-73” competition. But by December of that year, Sofia Rotaru could no longer sing on her own - the doctors forbade it.

At all the first “Songs of the Year”, the artists sang “live”, without any phonograms, since it was believed that this was the only way to “truly” evaluate the talent of the vocalist. All singers were accompanied on the set by the All-Union Radio Orchestra and Central television under the direction of Yuri Silantiev. And when in Musical edition CT decided that Rotaru would be filmed with a soundtrack, then conductor Silantiev was indignant for a very long time, until he was told that the finale of “Song-73” without Rotaru was impossible, since Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev would be the main viewer of the program.

That’s what they did - all the artists in “Song-73” sang themselves and only Rotaru only opened her mouth to her “plus” phonogram. By the way, as a result it turned out to be even better, since in those years it was possible to record high-quality live performance they couldn’t do it in the Ostankino concert studio - there were disgusting microphones that the singers constantly “spit on,” but Sofia Rotaru appeared on the air on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1973, with good sound.

The song “My City” at the competition “Song-73”, Ostankino, 1973

Video:youtube. com/yangol1

Then, a few years later, composer Evgeniy Doga again talked about Sofia Rotaru:

“At one time, I begged her to take care of her voice. But the singer’s husband, Tolik, created “Ruta” and began to greatly exploit his wife. Four concerts a day. The poor woman couldn’t even eat after them. Became a straw. And all the excuses: “We want to buy a car, a house, a dacha...” Tolik’s thirst for money ruined the magnificent singer...”

Well, who really craved money in this story - let it remain on the conscience of the composer Doga, but the fact that nothing ruined Rotaru is a fact. Yes, there was a period when there were serious problems with the ligaments, but then the singer began to pay more attention to them, take care of them, and this did not happen again.

Video: Channel Five archive

The life of the Soviet artist Rotaru had it all - cold nights in drafty airports, hotels without hot water but with hordes of cockroaches, long tour journeys in semi-junk cars, unheated rural clubs where steam poured out of her mouth in winter... Only a very persistent and courageous woman could withstand all this. And also - loving woman. There are still legends about how Sofia Rotaru loved her husband Tolya - Anatoly Evdokimenko.

Sofia Rotaru on the cover of Ukraine Magazine, 1965

In 1965, while serving in the army in the Ural Nizhny Tagil, a young guy Tolya Evdokimenko from the city of Chernivtsi saw on the cover of the magazine “Ukraine” beautiful girl, who turned out to be his countrywoman. Having been demobilized, he found Sonya and began to look after her. Another detail became clear - they both could not live without music. For two years, Sonya tested the young man’s strength, and then agreed to marry him.

Wedding photo of Sofia Rotaru and Anatoly Evdokimenko

Photo: from personal archive Sofia Rotaru

By that time, Sofia Rotaru was already not only the pride of Chernivtsi, but also the entire Ukrainian SSR, because the fame of the superbly singing girl from the village of Marshintsy had long spread throughout the country. For Central Television back in 1966, a short film was made about Rotaru musical film"The Nightingale from the village of Marshintsy." Then Sofia Rotaru sang mainly only Moldovan and Ukrainian folk songs.

Video: Channel Five archive

First Soviet pop song The song “Mom” became part of Rotaru’s repertoire. Having met Evdokimenko, who dreamed of music and was ready to do anything for Sonya, Rotaru suggested trying to “modernize” some folk songs, making other arrangements for them in the style of the then popular VIA.

It turned out great, and that’s how the team that Evdokimenko began to assemble gradually took shape into a real ensemble, and in 1971 both Rotaru and the group, called “Chervona Ruta,” received an official invitation to work at the Chernivtsi Philharmonic. So it began professional life Rotaru, her husband and their ensemble on stage.

For 15 years Sofia Rotaru and “Chervona Ruta” shone on Soviet stage until one day in 1986 it all ended. In one of her interviews, Sofia Rotaru, when asked by a journalist if she had ever been truly scared, answered:

“When I was betrayed. This was connected with the Chervona Ruta collective, which Tolik once organized. It was the peak of popularity, when we were carried in our arms, when cars were lifted at concerts. It seemed to the guys that they could count on success without me, that I treated them wrong, that the repertoire was wrong, that they received little money... When Tolik and I left for our homeland, they got together and decided that they didn’t need us. They left with a scandal and with the name “Chervona Ruta”..."

Video: Channel Five archive

And Sofia Rotaru was able to survive this. With the support of her husband, she again appeared on stage and actively worked with popular composers Vladimir Migulya and Vladimir Matetsky, and did not at all imagine that ahead was not only the collapse of the USSR, not only new market conditions of life, but also a different life in general, where her husband would need her help.

Video: Channel Five archive

In 1997, Sofia Rotaru's husband became seriously ill. At first the doctors said it was brain cancer, but then it turned out it was a stroke. For five years, Rotaru brought various world medical luminaries to her Tolya, but he got worse and worse. After several subsequent strokes, Anatoly Evdokimenko stopped speaking and moving, and in 2002 he died in Kyiv in the arms of his beloved and faithful wife Sofia Rotaru. She later said that her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren helped her survive this tragedy.

However, Sofia Rotaru’s iron character sometimes spoiled a lot for her. This happened in 1985 on the set of “Song 85”, when, contrary to the requests of the TV director, she decided to be closer to the viewer and left the stage to the stalls. As a result, the entire first verse of the song “Stork on the Roof” turned out to be a waste - the cameramen could only film Rotaru from the back or general plan the entire hall.

Video: Channel Five archive

Even during the USSR, there was a lot of gossip about the difficult relationship between Sofia Rotaru and Alla Pugacheva, but with the collapse of the country, “clashes” between singers happened quite often: in 1999, at a concert in honor of Police Day, Sofia Rotaru was removed from the list of participants at the last second. The reason is Pugacheva’s scandal.

5 years later, Alla Borisovna herself found herself left out of the same holiday. After I found out that holiday program It will not be she who will finish, but Sofia Rotaru, Pugacheva slammed the door.

In 2006, Rotaru demonstrated its scandalous character. Sofia Mikhailovna did not want to participate in the concert dedicated to her, having learned that Alla Pugacheva was offered a fee, but she was not. But in the end, the organizers were able to extinguish the scandal and both singers performed in different parts this concert in the center of Kyiv.

Video:youtube.com/Sofia Rotaru

But in 2009, at Alla Borisovna’s anniversary concert, the two stars depicted a great reconciliation. Hugging, they performed the group's hit "t.A.T.u." “They won’t catch us.” What was that? Shocking? Just a show? I think not. After all, indeed, no one will ever be able to catch up with Sofia Rotaru and Alla Pugacheva.

And the annexation of Crimea to Russia, Sofia Rotaru, unlike some other Ukrainian artists, did not burn bridges.

Video: youtube.com/Sofia Rotaru

Sofia Rotaru often comes to Russia, gives concerts, and when asked by one of the journalists whether, as a long-term resident of Crimea, she received Russian citizenship, she answered:

“When residents of Crimea received Russian passports, by law I was not entitled to this, since I had a residence permit in Kyiv. But, on the other hand, if Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin gives me Russian passport, like Depardieu, I wouldn’t refuse.”

Video: Channel Five archive

Ivan Tsybin

website

18:51 2017

On August 7, the favorite of millions - folk singer Sofia Rotaru celebrates her anniversary! Sofia Mikhailovna will turn 70 - but who can say?! Time has no power over this gorgeous woman!

Sofia Mikhailovna will celebrate her birthday, as befits an artist, with an anniversary concert in Baku as part of music festival"Heat". Just before the singer’s flight to the capital of Azerbaijan, we managed to ask her a few questions about the upcoming event, because the artist’s birthday is a real holiday for all her fans!

Big concert

Sofia Mikhailovna, tell us what the audience will see in Baku?

Concert, dedicated to the anniversary. (Smiles.) Young artists will perform covers of my hits, and I have prepared new versions well famous songs and, of course, the premiere!

In one of your interviews, you said that you want to devote this year to yourself. Will you be able to rest in the near future or will you continue to give concerts, because, as the media write, your concert schedule is already scheduled!

Preparing for anniversary concert took me more than three months. My team and I created concert costumes for this show, made arrangements, and recorded new songs. This is pleasant, but still a hassle. Of course, I will try to find time to relax with my family. Let's go travel. (Smiles).

READ ALSO: Sofia Rotaru's niece, singer Sonya Kay, was given a star in the sky

How do you generally celebrate your birthday? Perhaps you are going to a large family table?

Yes, traditionally we celebrate this day with our family, my relatives prepare pleasant surprises for me. Every year they come up with something new and interesting. (Smiles.)

And only round dates are celebrated magnificently, with concerts and numerous guests.

At the concert in Baku, of course, your fans will congratulate you. What was the most memorable gift you received from them?

The most precious gift from fans of my work is their support and love. When they send congratulations with warm wishes, I am very pleased!

Sofia Mikhailovna, you are an example ideal woman! Share your beauty secrets!

There are many of them! Well, for example, for the last few years, Sveta (Svetlana Evdokimenko - Sofia Mikhailovna’s daughter-in-law - editor’s note) or sister Aurika and I go to a wellness clinic twice a year for two or three weeks, where we adhere to a special diet, actively We play sports and go to various massages.

This helps to cleanse the body, restore strength and clarify thoughts, which, of course, is reflected in appearance. (Smiles.)

The secret of youth

Sofia Mikhailovna, like a true woman, treats her age philosophically. When Katya Osadchaya once asked the singer about the upcoming anniversary, she answered with a smile:

“Well look at me. When I turn 30, then I will celebrate my anniversary!”

Indeed, looking at Sofia Mikhailovna, you involuntarily begin to think that she knows the secret eternal youth! And the point here is not about material opportunities (which, for example, many other celebrities have, but few look like Rotaru), but about their attitude towards themselves and life.

And also, according to the singer, beautiful appearance she also owes it to her family, who bathe her in love.

They are her rear and reliable support.

Son Ruslan is the singer’s concert producer, daughter-in-law Svetlana is the creative director. The couple gave Sofia Mikhailovna two grandchildren - Anatoly and Sofia, of whom she is very proud.

From left to right: son Ruslan, daughter-in-law Svetlana, granddaughter Sonya, grandson Anatoly

Young people are the same creative personalities, like their grandmother. Sofia has achieved significant success in the modeling business, Anatoly is engaged in fashion photography.

The singer, in her few interviews, likes to recall how once, while still a schoolboy, Tolya came home very sad. “We are trying to find out what happened. And he: “They told me that Sofia Rotaru cannot be my grandmother. Because grandmothers are never that young. But I’m your grandson!”

How nice it was for me to hear such words... I am not afraid of the word “grandmother,” but it so happens that my grandchildren call me by name. They just don’t associate my image with this word...” Sofia Mikhailovna says with a smile.

Sonya-little and Sonya-big

Another forever close person for Sofia Rotaru was her husband, Anatoly Evdokimenko (passed away in 2002 - Ed.)

The story of their acquaintance and relationship is worthy of a book or film adaptation. For the first time, Anatoly saw a young girl, Sonya... on the cover of the magazine “Ukraine” (Rotaru was published there as the winner of one of the song competitions). I saw it and fell in love!

But the young man served in the Urals and only upon returning to his native Chernivtsi began searching for the beauty who occupied all his thoughts. Of course he found her! And became a lifelong companion!

Sofia Mikhailovna often recalls that without her Tolya she would not have dared to undertake many musical experiments: he was her advisor, mentor, friend...

Anatoly led the Chervona Ruta ensemble, where young Sonya was a soloist, and later acted as stage director for absolutely all of her concert programs...

Sofia Mikhailovna obeyed him in almost everything, with the exception of... the birth of a child!

“After a year of our marriage, I began to dream of a baby. And she hinted about this to Tolik from time to time,” the singer recalls. - But he made big creative plans and was in no hurry with the child. In addition, we lived with our parents in a 2-room apartment; he had not yet graduated from university. There was not enough money; asking our parents for it was not customary in our family. “Okay, okay,” I think... And somehow I tell him: “Listen, the doctor said that I will soon become a mother.” Although in reality I was not in a position at that moment - I had to use a little feminine trick. Tolik shook his head: “Well, good.” He relaxed, let down his guard and began to wait for the heir to be born.”

But he had to wait not nine months, but eleven, because Sonya became pregnant only two months after that conversation. Their son Ruslan was born in 1970.

Sofia ROTARU - Water is Alive 1976

“Now I believe that I did everything right,” Rotaru admits to the press. “Then I simply wouldn’t have time - these endless tours would begin... Although my mother kept asking me to give birth again: “Daughter, just give birth and continue working, and we will raise a second one.”

She also said: “You will really regret that you only have one child.” And I really regret it.

READ ALSO: Sofia Rotaru knows the secret of youth

Therefore, when Tolya was born to Ruslan and Sveta, after a couple of years I already started pestering them to give birth again, and they did it seven years later.

I remember that little Tolya reported that Sveta was pregnant for the second time. He came and showed a piece of paper - probably an extract from antenatal clinic. He says: “Here, take it, you wanted it! I will have a brother or sister." And all I said was: “Glory to you, Lord.”

By the way, we were sure that a girl would be born the second time. And with the choice of name, everything was clear: the son and daughter-in-law immediately thought of naming their son Tolik in honor of their grandfathers (Svetlana’s father is also Anatoly), and the girl in my honor. And so that there is no confusion, at home they call me Sonya the big one, and my granddaughter - Sonya the little one. Although recently little Sonya has been taller than big Sonya..."

Sonya-little and Sonya-big

This is how the Rotaru-Evdokimenko family lives: with love for each other and a great passion for music.

And we would like to wish Sofia Mikhailovna many more anniversaries: her talent, femininity and wisdom serve as an inspiration for millions of people!

Just the facts:

• The singer was born on August 7, but due to a mistake by the passport officer, her date of birth was recorded as August 9. So the singer celebrates her birthday twice.
• Sofia Rotaru has two brothers and three sisters. They all sing very well. Little Sonya was instilled with a love of music by her older sister Zina.
• Sofia Rotaru's repertoire includes more than 500 songs, including compositions in Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Polish, German, Italian, Spanish and English.
• She was the first of Soviet singers, who sang in recitative.
• In 2000, the Supreme Academic Council of Ukraine recognized Sofia Mikhailovna as the best Ukrainian pop singer XX century. Among her other titles are “Man of the 20th Century”, “Golden Voice of Ukraine”, “Woman of the Year”.

Congratulations from loved ones

Svetlana Evdokimenko, daughter-in-law:

Every birthday of Sofia Mikhailovna is a real holiday for us. We try to get together on this day. What can we say about the anniversary: ​​we will definitely get together with the whole family. Anatoly will fly in from London, Sofia - from Paris, and we'll go fishing! Sofia Mikhailovna is a wonderful mother-in-law! I am inspired by her determination, ability to enjoy little things, respect people, value sincerity and friendship. And also a subtle sense of humor and boundless kindness of soul!

Ruslan Evdokimenko, son:

I would like to wish my mother good health, peace of mind and real friends! We love her very much! And I am grateful to her for everything! She is very strong man, and I’m glad that many of her character traits were passed on to me. For example, sincerity and kindness. She is a monogamist, she has loved and continues to love only my dad, Anatoly Kirillovich, all her life. Family is the main thing for her. I learned this from her and try to set the same example for my children.

Sofia Rotaru with her son

Ruslan Kvinta, composer:

I think I pulled out a lucky ticket when I met Sofia Mikhailovna Rotaru. This artist radically changed my work, interest in me increased significantly. There have been many bright moments and stages in my career, but this one is probably the most significant. It was a great honor for me when she took part in my benefit concert “The Sky is Me.” Working with her is a pleasure. I wrote 29 songs for her. It happened that I came to work at her house, and each time she first fed everyone, and only then went on to work. She even brought her signature cheesecakes to the recording studio!