// Photo: Anatoly Lomokhov / PhotoXPress.ru

76-year-old Lev Leshchenko became the hero of Boris Korchevnikov's program "The Fate of a Man" on the channel "Russia 1". People's Artist of the RSFSR told the TV presenter why he broke up with singer Alla Abdalova, and also remembered how he met his current wife Irina Bagudina.

The future singer lost his mother early. The woman died after an illness when he was very young. Lev Valerianovich does not know the exact diagnosis of Claudia Leshchenko.

“It was the height of the war. I don’t know exactly what happened to her, it seems that something has to do with her throat, ”said the performer.

Leshchenko met his future wife Alla Abdalova, a student of the famous Soviet opera singer Maria Maksakova, when he was studying at GITIS. A few years later, the lovers legalized the relationship. However, after a while, the artists broke up. There were several reasons for this. Abdalova and Leshchenko rarely saw each other, as they constantly went on tour. The different aspirations of the spouses did not contribute to the strengthening of relations.

“Competition was inevitable. Rarely does anyone withstand such an internal conflict ... She wanted to study the classics, she auditioned for the Bolshoi Theater, she was invited to the trainee group. She was the only student of Maria Maksakova. I was already working on the radio then. There was, of course, a conflict of interest. Firstly, different trips, and secondly, one succeeds, while the other does not. And our teacher said all the time: "Never marry colleagues." As a result, our marriage cracked and we parted quietly, ”recalls Lev Valerianovich.

In an interview, Abdalova claimed that Leshchenko did not want to have children, and she was forced to take action. The singer himself says that his wife did not tell him about abortions.

Now Leshchenko is married to Irina Bagudina, the couple have been together for 40 years. For the first time, the artist saw his future wife in Sochi on vacation. A year after they met, the lovers got married. Leshchenko and Bagudina have no children in common. Irina Pavlovna admitted to Korchevnikov that she still suffers because of this, although over the years her feelings have diminished.

“In my youth it was hard to accept - with age it somehow fades into the background. Moreover, now such technologies have appeared ... But unfortunately, they can no longer be used. You need to go through this and move on ... I am still worried, ”said Irina Leshchenko.

The artist's wife added that she always feels his support, especially in difficult situations. Her husband can say the same. “We had such a hidden thing ... And you don't have to talk about it so much to feel a person,” explains Irina Pavlovna.

The name of Lev Leshchenko is well known to all fans of the national stage, who fell in love with his lyrical and patriotic songs. He attracted the attention of the public not only with his soft baritone with a velvet timbre, but also with his fit figure, kind smile and optimism. Despite the long years of creative biography, Lev Valerianovich is still engaged in concert activities. In between the sections, he has time to rest a little, drink water, change his shirt and again rushes to the stage.

Among his colleagues and friends, the 76-year-old singer is reputed to be a cheerful person with an excellent sense of humor, he still does not mind joking and hooliganism. From the height of his age, he often gives advice to young talents, instructing them to improve all the time. Leshchenko proved from his own experience that singing is hard and everyday work that must be done in good faith in order to succeed in his business.

Childhood. Revealing singing talent

The future artist was born in 1942 in Moscow. His father, Valerian Andreevich, participated in hostilities with the Finns, and during the war with the Germans he served as deputy chief of staff. After the end of the war, he held a post in the USSR Ministry of Security, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Leshchenko's mother, Claudia Petrovna, died a year after his birth, as she died from a serious illness. His older sister Julia was also growing up in the family.

The childhood of the singer

For some time, the boy and his sister were looked after by their grandmother, who came from Ryazan, and then the father was sent to a military unit located in the Moscow region. While his father was in the service, little Lyova was under the supervision of the foreman. Having received the status of the son of the regiment, the future singer wore a military uniform, which he was very proud of. In 1948, their family was replenished: his father remarried, and soon his wife gave birth to a daughter, Valentina, Leo's half-sister. With his stepmother, the boy almost immediately developed a wonderful relationship.

Thanks to his grandfather, who at one time played the violin in an amateur musical group, he developed an interest in music and singing. During his school years, Leo showed a good voice, thanks to which he sang in a choir circle, and also performed at all school events. In addition, the young man learned to swim and went to a literary circle. At the age of 17, he wanted to get an acting education, but did not pass the competition. For some time, the future artist worked in the theater, and then became a factory worker.

The young army years of Lev Leshchenko

During the years of army service, the young man ended up in Germany, where he had to become a tanker, and then he was transferred to the song and dance ensemble. During this time, he did not give up his dream, so he found time to prepare well for entering a theater university. After serving three years, Leshchenko successfully completed all the rounds and was enrolled in the ranks of GITIS students.

Career start and recognition of musical talent

Even during his studies, the young singer was gaining experience and skill at the Mosconcert and on the stage of the Operetta Theater, where he not only sang, but also acted as various characters. After receiving his diploma, he continued his activities at the Operetta Theater, and four years later he acted as a soloist of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. The artist's first victory was the well-deserved second prize at the 4th All-Union Contest of Variety Artists, where he performed several ballad songs.


At the age of 30, Lev took part in music competitions held in Bulgaria and Poland. These performances were highly praised by the jury, who awarded him the title of laureate. The song "For that guy" performed by him became very popular and beloved among Soviet listeners. At that time, the singer toured a lot, and also performed in front of the Komsomol at shock construction sites. Leshchenko's repertoire was constantly replenished with new songs that resonated in the hearts of the audience: "Don't cry, girl", "Parents' house", "Victory Day", "Nightingale Grove", "And the fight continues again", "Where is my home?" "Tatiana's Day" and others. During the closing ceremony of the Olympics in 1980, it was he who had to sing the song "Goodbye, our affectionate Misha", which was performed in a duet with Tatyana Antsiferova.

For his talent and great contribution to the development of Russian art, the artist was awarded orders and prizes, received the honorary title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. Over the years of his long career, he performed songs of many famous composers: Alexandra Pakhmutova, David Tukhmanov, Vladimir Shainsky, Yuri Saulsky and others. The singer also performed in a duet with many star performers and musical groups. So, the song "Waltz of Lovers" sounded with Valentina Tolkunova, "Echo of Love" - ​​with Anna German, "Last Date" - with Sofia Rotaru, "Eternal Love" - ​​with Tamara Gverdtsiteli, "Tam" - with the group "Megapolis".

Lev Valerianovich's discography is very extensive, including records, magnetic albums and CDs. In addition to singing, he created a theater of variety performances, and also conducted classes with students of the Gnesins Institute. The stage star has demonstrated his acting skills on television and in the cinema, appearing in such TV shows and films as "Looking for the Dawn", "Old Songs about the Main", "Field-of-War Romance", "Doomed to Become a Star" and others.

Strong family union

For several decades, the singer has been married to his second wife, Irina Pavlovna. But in his personal life there was another chosen one, the relationship with whom was terminated. Acquaintance with his first wife, singer Alla Abdalova, took place at a time when the young man was studying at GITIS. Having met for three years, the lovers got married. Being creative people, the young spouses had different preferences: Leshchenko sang pop songs, and his wife dreamed of building a career at the Bolshoi Theater. In addition, they often went on tour, which is why they practically did not see each other. And soon quarrels and misunderstandings began to flare up in the family, which ultimately led to a divorce. The singer tried to do something to save the family, but nothing came of it. Children in this union were not born, so the former spouses were divorced quickly.


Together with his ex-wife Alla Abdalova, Lev Valerianovich often sang in a duet

After a while, Lev Valerianovich again decided to create a marriage. At that time, he met with Irina Bagudina, whom he met in Sochi during a vacation. Then the girl was educated in Hungary, intending to become a diplomat. The singer was fascinated by her extraordinary beauty and femininity, in addition, Irina showed impeccable style and charm.


Family idyll with Irina Bagudina has been going on for over 40 years

Despite Leshchenko's fame, she did not try to please him, but even, on the contrary, was indifferent to his person. The lovers played their wedding a year later. They dreamed of becoming parents, but it turned out that the wife could not become a mother. In her youth, she took this circumstance hard, but even now she is worried about this. The singer himself resigned himself to life without children, while he never reproached his wife. Thanks to the huge number of relatives, they did not feel lonely or somehow flawed, therefore they did not seek to change anything in their lives.

Irina Pavlovna has become a reliable rear and close friend for the artist, she reads a lot and is very erudite. Her knowledge and ability to communicate with people helped when the couple were building their house. It was she who settled all conflicts with the builders and monitored all the work, thanks to which the couple then gladly moved into the new apartment. The couple were able to preserve their marriage by learning the secret of a long and happy relationship. They always tried to communicate as equals, not be rude, be attentive, caring and supported each other in difficult times. The ability to respect and respect each other's personal space, to be sensitive and correct people is also important.

Favorite activities, habits and interesting facts

Age does not at all prevent Lev Valerianovich from having an excellent appearance (with a height of 180 cm, his weight is about 70 kg) and a positive attitude. In this he is helped by the love of physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle, to which he has been striving since childhood. Now the artist acts as the honorary president of the Triumph basketball club. This job brings him great pleasure, as basketball is an important part of his life.


Due to the fact that Leshchenko correctly builds his work schedule, he finds time for his favorite activities. From early in the morning, he will definitely swim in the pool and work out in the gym, which are located in the basement of the house, and then walk along the streets, which brings him vigor and energy for the whole day. If free time is given, then the artist will certainly go to some sporting event or watch a theatrical performance. He also finds time to play tennis and basketball. During the day, Lev Valerianovich does not forget to read the news and leaf through the newspapers. He does not smoke, but in the company of friends he can drink a glass of wine.

Earlier, the wife advised the singer on which costume to choose for the performance. Over time, he developed his own style, which he adheres to for many years. But it turns out that even at the beginning of his career there was a case when Leshchenko did not have a single decent suit to perform in a music competition, which is why he had to go on stage in his wife's red woolen suit.

The artist has been friends with Vladimir Vinokur for many years, whom he met within the walls of GITIS. When the comedian just arrived to enter the university, the future singer was already studying. Lev decided to make fun of the applicant, telling him that he was a member of the selection committee. Vladimir had to not only sing and dance, but also do push-ups. Only the next day, the future comedian found out that he was being played. The friendship between them has not weakened even now. Celebrities call each other every week, go to social events and premieres, and also get together with their families.


"Old Friends" - Lev Leshchenko and Vladimir Vinokur

Leshchenko's colleagues and friends appreciate him for his cheerful character and excellent sense of humor. Many people still remember how, during the tour, he hunted jokes and told funny stories from life, and sometimes he could make a hooligan. The artist wrote two books about his life and work - "The Apology of Memory" (2011 edition) and "Songs Chose Me" (2018 edition). It has its own personalized star, which is located on the square of stars of the concert hall "Russia".

Childhood

Lev Valerianovich Leshchenko was born in Moscow, on February 1, 1942, in the family of a career officer Valerian Andreyevich Leshchenko. The singer's early childhood was marked by a tragic event - his mother, Klavdia Petrovna, died suddenly, as soon as Leo was one year old. The father had to bring the boy and his older sister to his military unit, where little Leo grew up as a real “son of the regiment”. In 1948, Leshchenko's father married a second time. The singer always spoke about his adoptive mother, Maria Mikhailovna, with incredible warmth.

Leshchenko expressed his desire to become an artist very early: his parents had to send him to the district Palace of Pioneers, where the young talent enrolled in several circles: choral and dramatic. On the creative path, the little artist showed unprecedented success, they immediately began to take him to all the shows of amateur performances, where he amazed the audience with the wonderful performance of Utesov's songs. Soon the teachers advised the boy to take vocals seriously.

After leaving school, in 1959, Leshchenko, contrary to his father's wishes, decided to enter GITIS, the department of operetta artists. But the strict selection committee, unlike the leadership of the Palace of Pioneers, was not impressed by the talents of the young man. Leshchenko had to go to work. The first entry in his work book was staged at the Bolshoi Theater, where he was listed as a stage worker. But soon Lev Valerianovich preferred a precision instrument factory and the position of a locksmith to the temple of art. The next year, he again tried to take GITIS by attack, but instead went into the army. Thanks to the efforts of his father, Leshchenko was sent to Germany, to the tank troops. True, Leo did not have to manage the combat vehicle for long: the authorities found out about the fighter's vocal talents and assigned him to the army song and dance ensemble.

After demobilization, Leshchenko once again tried his luck within the walls of GITIS, and once again the selection committee was skeptical about the applicant's vocals. But she laughed heartily at the army feuilleton, which Leshchenko read as a dramatic excerpt. The professors took pity, and Lev Valerianovich, five years after leaving school, became a student.

Scene

In 1970, Leshchenko became a soloist of the USSR State Radio and Television and a month later won the IV All-Union Contest of Variety Artists. Since then, the singer has been constantly invited to radio and television, a rare "hodgepodge" did without his participation. The popularity of Lev Valerianovich grew day by day, but real fame came to him only in 1972 after winning a festival in Sopot.

The thirty-year-old singer fell in love not only with the public, but also with the authorities: Lev Valerianovich became the true embodiment of the Soviet artist. It is not surprising that it was he who, in 1975, sang the main song of the country's main holiday. By the way, "Victory Day" went to him quite by accident. Its first performer was Leonid Smetannikov, but neither the audience nor the authorities liked his interpretation. The song was put on the shelf, but six months later, at a concert in honor of Police Day, Leshchenko decided to take a chance and include it in the program.

Since the end of the 70s, Leshchenko regularly received some title, award or order once a year. It was rumored that Leonid Brezhnev himself loved listening to his songs. It is not surprising that the artist performed before members of the Politburo more often than other singers. In 1977, Lev Valerianovich became an Honored Artist of the RSFSR, in 1983 - a People's Artist. Since 1980, he has been on tour with Rosconcert, but after perestroika, his fame has declined. In 1989, Leshchenko was not invited to the "Song of the Year" for the first time, and although at concerts he continued to collect full halls, and the artist thinks about his financial well-being.

In 1990, on the advice of his wife, Leshchenko went into business: he created and headed the Musical Agency, which organized concerts, presentations and creative evenings, in fact - one of the first agencies for organizing corporate events. The new business turned out to be very profitable. The singer also began teaching at Gnesinka, where Katya Lel, Marina Khlebnikova, Varvara became his students. For the last 10 years, Leshchenko has been actively involved in the music business, and most often appears on the stage in “prefab hodgepodge”.

Love

The first wife of Leshchenko was the singer Albina Abdalova, who in her youth performed in the collective of Leonid Utesov. Lev and Albina met at GITIS, where, according to his ex-wife, Leshchenko was wildly popular. The young student gave his beloved chamomile, took him for walks, but was not going to marry. However, the couple's relationship was not limited to kissing. Abdalova said in an interview that in his youth Leshchenko was an incredibly ardent lover, passion rolled over him in the most unexpected places and at the wrong time. Seven years after the beginning of the relationship, Abdalov and Leshchenko got married. Albina became pregnant several times, but at that time Lev Valerianovich was completely absorbed in his career. Seeing her husband's unpreparedness for paternity, Abdalova performed abortions. Despite the frenzied popularity among the beautiful half of humanity, Leshchenko, according to Albina, was always faithful to her. And only in 1976 he could not restrain himself. Then in Sochi, 34-year-old Leshchenko first saw a 22-year-old girl Irina, who unwittingly destroyed Lev Valerianovich's first marriage.

Irina was born in the family of a diplomat, grew up abroad, so then the name Leshchenko did not tell her anything. Leshchenko immediately went on to an active offensive, but neither the warm Sochi evenings, nor the gentleman's baritone could melt Irina's heart. Suddenly, without leaving her phone number, she left for Budapest, where she studied at the university. But even such an obstacle could not stop Lev Valerianovich: by some miracle, through Irina's friend, he was able to find out the phone number of her hostel. The venerable and kindred by the authorities, the singer called the young girl almost every day, seeking her favor. Only a year later, he persuaded Irina to come to Moscow. And a year later they got married. Irina gave up her diplomatic career and began to live the life of her husband, becoming a housewife. 34 years after the wife met, they are still together, the singer does not get tired of talking about his feelings for his wife, which earned him the fame of one of the most loyal husbands on the stage. True, according to the singer himself, he is very worried that he and Irina did not succeed in giving birth to children.

Money

The main income for Lev Leshchenko comes from the Musical Agency headed by him. For several years now it has been cooperating with the oil company Lukoil, for which Lev Valerianovchi even wrote a corporate anthem: “We walked along the highway, climbed right through, bit into the ground, froze in the tundra, fate tested us for a break, and then life was not for us seemed like paradise. " The singer's theater also works with Russian Railways, Gazprom and other companies. At corporate events, Leshchenko not only sings himself, but also brings artists working with other producers. The average rate for a singer to perform at a corporate party is 8-10 thousand dollars.

In 2001, Lev Valerianovich acquired a furniture factory in the city of Kolchugino, Vladimir region, which gradually grew into a medium-sized company with an annual turnover of 400 million rubles. During the crisis, the furniture factory began to suffer losses; Leshchenko's broad connections helped her stay afloat. Thanks to them, the company now receives well-paid government orders.

Since 2003, the artist has been a shareholder and honorary president of the Triumph basketball club, his responsibilities include establishing contacts with investors and sponsors.

"Rich Buratina" Lev Valerianovich has always been. Even in his second year at the institute, he received 70 rubles for work at the Operetta Theater and another 38 - a scholarship. Immediately after graduating from GITIS, young Leshchenko earned 200 rubles a month - this is how much the soloists of the State Television and Radio were paid. Within a few years, his income doubled. He had to perform at least 16 concerts per month, for each of them he received about 25 rubles. Nevertheless, the party vigilantly watched that, in any case, the artist's monthly income did not exceed 500 rubles. But the really big money came to Leshchenko during perestroika: after the organization of the Musical Agency, the artist began to charge 10 times more for the concert.

Scandals

It is difficult to find scandals in the biography of Lev Leshchenko's example of morality and ethics: he does not drink, does not row, and does not abuse women. Nevertheless, the unpleasant incidents in which the artist was noticed speak of him very eloquently.

In 2006, at a music festival in Vitebsk, a scandal erupted: the winning participant from Russia, Oksana Bogoslovskaya, was far ahead of all her competitors. And she did it not without the support of the chairman of the jury and concurrently her employer Lev Leshchenko. According to the regulations of "Slavianski Bazaar", members of the jury do not have the right to be managers or producers of the participants in the competition. Leshchenko ignored this rule, nominating a soloist of his theater for the competition. This fact may not have angered the public, if Lev Valerianovich had not become so frankly “drowning” the competitors of the Russian woman: he put only tens for Oksana, and no more than six for the rest.

Leshchenko organized the loudest scandal with his participation quite recently. In early March, he issued an open letter in support of Lukoil vice-president Anatoly Barkov, whose Mercedes became a participant in a sensational accident on Leninsky Prospekt in Moscow. As a result of the accident, two women died, of which many of the public and part of the creative intelligentsia accused Barkov. He, in their opinion, drove into the oncoming lane. Now the top manager of Luikol is considered one of the most controversial figures in the country, and Leshchenko, who receives good income from working with the oil company, is perceived by many as a symbol of corruption.

Property

In the elite village of Krekshino, Lev Valerianovich has a two-story house worth 900 thousand dollars. He also owns a three-room apartment on Academician Zelinsky Street, the approximate cost of which is $ 700,000.

The singer prefers to drive a Mercedes 210 - this is his favorite car brand. Leshchenko likes to spend his leisure time on his own yacht "Irchi", which he gave to his wife on her 30th wedding anniversary.

Salvation

Twice in his life Leshchenko miraculously managed to escape death. In 1970, together with other artists of the State TV and Radio, the singer was supposed to fly on tour to the south. Unexpected cases detained Lev Valerianovich in Moscow, the plane took off without him and crashed, never reaching its destination.

In the early 80s, Leshchenko went to Afghanistan with concerts. Once the artists' car accidentally broke away from the military escort and stumbled upon a group of armed spooks. At the same moment, the GAZ engine suddenly stalled and refused to start. For several minutes, Leshchenko's life was cheerful by a hair, and only incredible luck helped the car "come to life" and break away from the dushmans.

Lev Leshchenko is one of the most famous Russian pop singers. He has been successfully performing on stage for over 40 years. The public is interested in the biography of Lev Leshchenko, his personal life, children and even his career. Everyone wants to know what is the secret of the artist, who today continues to give 8-10 concerts a month and at the same time is engaged in the "Music Agency" (this is the name of the theater he created).

Young years

The future singer was born in Moscow on February 1, 1942, when fierce battles were still going on near the capital. His father, Valerian Andreevich, was a career officer, went through the Finnish war. When Lev was born, he served in the special forces. His work was associated with escorting equipment and artillery to the front, from time to time he was at home, but this rarely happened.

As Lev Leshchenko himself says, Klavdia Petrovna's mother was afraid that she would not be able to get to the hospital - the capital was heavily bombed. And Leo was born at home, his neighbors helped him to accept. Two years later, Klavdia Petrovna died, she was only 29 years old. Leo's sister, Julia, was older, but she could not cope with the child. And he was raised by his maternal grandmother, and then by the second wife of his father.

But for several years Lev lived with his father in a military unit near Moscow. The boy was looked after by foreman Andrey Fisenko, whom the singer still remembers with warmth. He says that he grew up as the son of a regiment. So, Leo, imitating adults, did exercises, wore a small tunic and a garrison cap. Soon, however, my father married a second time, and the family moved to Sokolniki.

Leo had a good relationship with his stepmother. The father's young wife, Marina, loved the child very much, encouraged him to study music. In general, the Leshchenko family was very musical ... And the future singer himself:

  • sang in the choir of the local House of Pioneers;
  • played in a brass band;
  • was fond of swimming;
  • studied in the circle of artistic words.

He was lucky - the choirmaster turned out to be a good specialist, who immediately considered his true talent and persuaded the boy to abandon all circles in favor of singing.

In his autobiography, Lev Leshchenko indicates that immediately after school in 1959 he began his labor activity. At first he was a stage worker at the Bolshoi Theater, then for a year he worked as a mechanic at a precision measuring instrument plant. Then the singer was drafted into the army, he served in the tank forces stationed in Germany.

Career start and personal life

Even before the call, Lev Leshchenko tried to enter GITIS, he wanted to study at the department of musical comedy, but he did not succeed. And surprisingly, the beginning of his career is associated with military service, where he became a soloist of the song and dance ensemble. Lev not only sang in the ensemble, but also performed with solo numbers, even read poetry, and spent his free time preparing for the entrance exams.

In 1964, he managed to enter GITIS, and a very intensive study began - in parallel, Lev worked at the Mosconcert, during the summer holidays he toured with concert crews throughout the vast country. Remembering his youth, the singer is happy to talk about his travels.

Then he met his future wife Alla Abdalova. She studied three years older, and everything indicated that she was destined for a successful career. The young people got married, Alla was invited to the Utesov ensemble, and Lev worked at the Operetta Theater. At first, young people lived with their parents, but then they were able to move to a cooperative apartment.

Meanwhile, Lev went to the radio (in 1970 he became the soloist-vocalist of the State Television and RadioUSSR - in that era it meant a lot). This kind of work took time and effort. In addition to the obligatory performances at the microphone, there were also stock recordings, and Lev performed folk songs, romances, and vocal works of Soviet and foreign composers.

Little by little, the singer began to gain popularity, and foreign tours began. In 1972, Lev became a laureate of the Golden Orpheus competition held in Bulgaria, and a little later he won a prestigious competition in Sopot with the wonderful song For that guy.

After that, he is more often invited to television, he becomes truly famous. And in 1975, to the 30th anniversary of the Victory, he performed one of his best songs, which is still a symbol of the holiday - "Victory Day", written by V. Kharitonov and D. Tukhmanov.

Personal life

Leshchenko's first wife was jealous of her husband's success. Her own career did not work out, and she was very upset with her husband's achievements - this is often the case in an artistic environment. Perhaps the birth of a child could have changed something, but the spouses did not have children. In her interviews, the singer says that she had several abortions, since her husband showed indifference to this issue and allowed her to act at her own discretion.

When she had the last abortion, she found out that she could have twins - however, all this is known only from the words of the singer. And soon Alla simply began to suspect her husband of adultery., and without any reason on his part.

However, in 1976 the reason did appear. On a tour in Sochi, a friend introduced him to a 22-year-old student, Irina. She studied at the university in Budapest, came to Sochi to rest with a friend. The age difference was substantial - almost 12 years. But between the young people some kind of spark seemed to run, and literally a few days later, Leo returned home only to pick up things and tell Alla the news. The wife had already guessed everything and let him go surprisingly peacefully given previous scandals.

From that moment, a relationship with Irina began. True, semi-official, since Leo officially decided to divorce his wife only in 1978. All this time, he and Alla were painted, although Lev Valerianovich had to live with his parents, in the same apartment with his sister's family, which in itself was not easy. Alla's further life was not very successful, but it happened in the 1990s, which broke even stronger people.

All this time, Irina lived in Budapest, continued her studies, however, she tried to come to Moscow more often, and then accompanied Leshchenko on tour in Novosibirsk. In 1978, Irina and Lev signed, and since then they have not parted. The spouses themselves claim that the secret of their strong marriage is that they simply do not engage in endless sorting out of the relationship.

In addition, Leo gave his wife complete freedom of action. Irina gave up her career, devoted herself entirely to her family, but at the same time she always had many hobbies. In perestroika times, she even learned to sew. And she did it beautifully, at a much higher level than most amateurs. She could even sew tuxedos and suits for her husband in those days when it was impossible to get such things.

Unfortunately, the couple had no children. And to the somewhat tactless questions of journalists, the spouses always answer that they already have a large family, because Leo still has sisters - Julia and Valentina, nephews with their families, and so on.

Heavy 90s

In 1980-1989, Lev conducted an intensive concert activity. He performed several songs in a duet with Valentina Tolkunova, there were also compositions recorded in a duet with Lyudmila Senchina, Sofia Rotaru, and other wonderful singers.

Many songs that have become classics of Soviet and Russian pop music are known for several generations only in his performance. But the hard times of perestroika began. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, completely different music poured into the air:

  • new styles for the Soviet Union, designed for young people;
  • chanson;
  • pop.

Lev Valerianovich's work did not fit into either format. And how to start building a career again at 50, he simply did not know.

However, friends helped him to organize an anniversary evening in the Rossiya concert hall, the recording of this concert was shown on television, the ratings were very solid, and the singer realized that it was too early for him to stop his creative activity. Moreover, a new idea was soon born. At the anniversary of Gennady Khazanov, he appeared in a new role. Lev Valerianovich played a comic scene together with his friend, Vladimir Vinokur.

And unexpectedly, the audience liked the duet of Vovchik and Levchik. However, this is not surprising, given that the text was written by Arkady Khait, and the friends themselves have always been talented performers.

For a while, Lev tried himself in a new genre, then returned to concert activity, since humorous scenes were considered somewhat lightweight.

Present time

Today Lev Leshchenko is still popular. He became famous for his soft, voluminous baritone and pleasant demeanor on stage. However, in their youth, fans were attracted by the singer's romantic appearance and his high growth (1.8 m). Of course, in the 21st century, a concert performance in the style of Lev Leshchenko might seem somewhat outdated. Nevertheless, it is thanks to him that the singer is experiencing a new surge in popularity, since he embodies a living legend of the Soviet stage.

Currently, Leo teaches at the famous "Gnesinka", and many of his students themselves have become famous on the national stage.

Lev Valerianovich keeps up with the times:

  • maintains his blog on Instagram;
  • performs in various shows;
  • sometimes appears in clips and projects of young performers, including humorous ones;
  • in 2001 he published a book in which he talks about the outstanding athletes, politicians and artists with whom he was familiar.

The favorite of millions, the idol of many generations, Lev Valerianovich Leshchenko was born on February 1, 1942 in the city of Moscow. For more than half a century, he has been delighting fans with his work, and by the appearance of the singer, you will never say that he is 76 years old. The artist's father was a career soldier, and his mother died a year after the birth of the child. The tragedy was caused by an incurable throat disease. Dad married a second time, and the stepmother raised the boy as her own son, for which he is grateful to her to this day. Lev Leshchenko's wife became a reliable support and support for him in life, a real keeper of the hearth.

In the photo: Lev Leshchenko in his youth

Lev Leshchenko's wife (photo)

The first wife of Lev Leshchenko met on his life path in his student years. Both of them were students of GITIS, only Alla Abdalova studied two years older and was considered one of the best and promising students of her stream. Her plans included a career as a singer of the classical genre, but for the sake of her husband, she began to engage in pop singing. Lev Leshchenko and his wife in their youth went on tour together, gave joint concerts, their duet was a success. However, the family for Lev Leshchenko gradually began to fade into the background. The artist made a dizzying career, but his wife had to be content with only his shadow.


 In the photo: Lev Leshchenko and Alla Abdalova

The reason for the divorce was the romance of Lev Valerianovich and a young girl, which happened during his next tour in Sochi. It was not without well-wishers who immediately helped Leshchenko's ex-wife find out about the adventures of her beloved in all its glory. The personal life of Alla and Leo ended at the moment when the artist returned from the tour, and a packed suitcase with personal belongings was waiting for him on the doorstep.


 In the photo: Alla Abdalova

The second wife met the famous singer Lev Leshchenko when he was only 34 years old. He was just practicing concerts in Sochi and was returning home when an amazing girl named Irina entered the elevator. She was 12 years younger than the artist, but even age did not become an obstacle to the rapid development of their relationship. Leshchenko's wife at that time was studying in Budapest, so she could not know that in front of her was a famous performer. She initially mistook him for one of the local mafiosi. The very next day, she already went to Moscow, and the loving companion followed her.


 In the photo: Lev Leshchenko with his wife Irina

Lev and Irina played the wedding a year after they met. The woman even left her career as a diplomat for the sake of her family in order to be able to devote herself entirely to her beloved spouse and home. She currently holds the position of assistant director at her husband's theater "Musical Agency". Photos of Lev Leshchenko's wife are not often found on the Internet, however, even from a few pictures, it can be said that time has almost no power over her. She still looks as good as she did many years ago.


 In the photo: Lev and Irina Leshchenko

Children of the Leshchenko family never appeared. A year after the wedding, doctors diagnosed Irina with a disappointing diagnosis: infertility. However, this did not destroy the family and warm relations. Lev Valerianovich to this day remains faithful to his wife and is deeply convinced that his life has developed very happily and successfully. The artist believes that kindness and love are the engines of progress.