Image Credit: Sputnik
Celebrated Russian actress Margarita Terekhova, known for her iconic roles in Soviet cinema, marked her 82nd birthday on August 25. Terekhova’s daughter, Anna, shared a heartfelt message on her blog, acknowledging her mother’s immense contribution to the world of film and her ongoing battle with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that has kept Terekhova away from the public eye since 2012.
Born on August 25, 1942, in Turinsk, Sverdlovsk region, Terekhova’s early life was spent in Tashkent, where her family had been evacuated during the war. Despite her initial interest in basketball and academics, with a brief stint in the physics and mathematics department at Tashkent University, Terekhova soon discovered her passion for acting. She ultimately joined the school studio at the Mossovet Theatre in Moscow, where her talent quickly gained recognition.
Terekhova’s acting career reached its zenith in the 1970s, with standout performances in films such as Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Mirror” (1974) and the Soviet-Japanese project “Moscow, My Love” (1975). Her portrayal of the enigmatic Milady in “D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers” (1978) left an indelible mark on Russian cinema, cementing her status as a legendary actress. Her other significant works feature “The Dog in the Manger” and “Let’s Get Married.”
However, Terekhova’s career waned in the 1990s amid the turmoil of the post-Soviet era, with offers limited to episodic roles. In 1996, her contributions were formally recognized when she was honored as a People’s Artist of Russia. Despite her declining health, Terekhova’s legacy in film continues to be celebrated, with her daughter Anna affirming that her mother’s influence remains strong even as she faces health challenges.