Unbroken Valentin Yudashkin: a difficult fight against cancer and two women in the life of the great couturier

Alexander Belyaev

Valentin Yudashkin is a legend that even cancer could not break

Valentin Yudashkin // Photo: Legion Media

He is called the Russian Pie Cardin, and the top models fight for the right to parade in creations by Valentin Yudashkin on the catwalk. He is a talented friend who is welcome to see in literally every star’s house. And yet - the most ordinary person, whose life is dedicated to the world of high fashion, outside of which his wife, children and grandchildren are always patiently waiting for him.

Valentin Abramovich was born 55 years ago in the village of Bakovka near Moscow. Since childhood, the future couturier was fond of drawing, and already in childhood he created his first sketches of clothes. While his peers were kicking a ball in the yard, he spent all his free time bending over white sheets of paper and at a sewing machine, and when he graduated from school, he entered the Moscow Industrial College at the modeling department, finding himself the only man.

Valentin Yudashkin opened his first studio by selling a Zhiguli, and in 1987 he showed his talent to the general public for the first time.

Alla Pugacheva and Valentin Yudashkin have been friends for many years // Photo: Legion Media

In the 90s, outfits from Yudashkin became a real hit in secular society. The couturier created stage costumes for Philip Kirkorov, Lyudmila Gurchenko, Natalya Vetlitskaya and Alla Pugacheva. The talented fashion designer met the diva during one of his first shows - in the 80s, at the Olimpiysky, he was preparing a new collection for the presentation, and she gave a concert.

“Alla Pugacheva is not one of those women who runs after fashion. This is happiness. She is independent and intelligent, although quite desperate: she can wear anything,” admitted Yudashkin.

Who doesn’t still associate “a woman who sings” with a short black robe? Few people know that in 1994 she received a plain dress from Valentin Abramovich, and since then she has been infected with a love for minis. By the way, Alla Borisovna came to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the fashion house Valentin Yudashkin in that same legendary dress, paying tribute to her favorite fashion designer.

Galina Yudashkina became the creative director of the fashion house Valentin Yudashkin // Photo: Legion Media

In recent years, Valentin Abramovich has become a rare guest at social events. What can we say, at every fashionable event you can hear whispers among the elite - “it seems this is his last appearance.” Two years ago, the couturier unexpectedly for the first time did not show up for his own show as part of Paris Fashion Week. At the end of the fashion show, the guests, according to tradition, were ready to shower the famous Russian with applause, but he never came out to bow.

Then they began to say that the master was hampered by serious health problems. And later it turned out that Yudashkin had indeed undergone emergency surgery due to kidney problems.

“I think that everyone is alive, and people get sick. We are all under God, and you never know what will happen or how it will happen,” said the fashion designer.

He still does not discuss his terrible diagnosis, but his friends have not hidden it for a long time - doctors diagnosed Yudashkin with cancer. “Trouble has come to our house. Of course, the first thing that comes is shock. Or questions about why this happened,” admitted Philip Kirkorov. “Thank God it happened early and we made it.” Things could have been much worse. We were all amazed by the courage with which Valentin and Marina took it. How they survived it all, held on and got through it.”

Valentin Yudashkin spoke for the first time about the operation

Many note that the fashion designer has recently begun to look bad due to illness // Photo: Instagram

Since then, despite positive forecasts, the master has literally melted before our eyes - overnight his lush hair disappeared, gray hair and bald patches appeared, he lost a lot of weight, and there was a deep blue under his eyes.

“Many people asked how Valya Yudashkin’s relatives could have missed the spread of metastases? But he was not observed. If Valentin had dropped into the hospital for just an hour and a half to two hours and had tests done, there would have been no problems. But we always have no time. Thank God the doctor managed to save him. True, they took away a kidney, part of a lung, and cleaned out the stomach completely,” shared Joseph Kobzon, whose life was taken by the same merciless illness, shortly before his death.

Joseph Kobzon and Valentin Yudashkin // Photo: Legion Media

Every day Valentin Yudashkin continues to fight for his own life. And his salvation is work and the podium. So, at the beginning of October, the couturier presented a new collection in Paris. “We tried to combine the French mood of today with Japanese tailoring and bring femininity back to the catwalk. Today's times, we see, are very aggressive. I can't say that it's not beautiful or fashionable. But it’s important to have some symbols, and the symbol is a woman,” the fashion designer admitted.

And his women - his wife Marina and daughter Galina - are that strong rear and reliable support.

Valentin Yudashkin with his wife, daughter and son-in-law // Photo: Instagram

Unlike many star colleagues, Valentin Abramovich was only once involved in a major scandal. In March 2015, in the very center of the capital, an underground casino was discovered in the apartment of Marina Yudashkina. The owner of 158 square meters then stated that the apartment had been rented out for a long time, and the high-profile case was quickly hushed up. Six months after the confiscation of the slot machines, the couple made expensive repairs, after which they gave the living space to their daughter Galina, in which she now lives with her husband Pyotr Maksakov and two children - two-year-old Anatoly and six-month-old Arkady.

Friends of Valentin Yudashkin always noted that, despite worldwide recognition, the couturier had an incredible trait - to remain a modest and family man. In his biography you cannot find a single line about numerous novels or broken hearts. He loved only once - his wife Marina. He proposed marriage to her three days after they met, and personally, despite bad omens, he sewed a wedding dress for her, decorating it with live orchids. She gave up her career as a hair stylist for his sake, and ever since then she has given him confidence - with her he can do absolutely anything, even beat cancer.

Valentin Yudashkin

In 2016, the master skipped the show of his own collection in Paris, entrusting the leadership of the presentation to his daughter. He himself watched the action via Internet connection from a hospital room, recovering from kidney surgery - the couturier’s family did not specify what exactly the surgical intervention and subsequent procedures involved. Only in 2020, Valentin Abramovich confirmed the terrible guesses: he is fighting cancer. “It will be necessary to be treated, so it will be treated. To be alive is to live,” supported his wife Marina Yudashkina.

Since then, the family has not spoken about the fashion designer’s well-being, causing the public to worry and tirelessly wish him health. By the way, the other day a married couple appeared at the premiere of the film: Valentin Yudashkin looked cheerful and smiled at the cameras aimed at him, although recently he could hardly speak.

Public recognition of the disease

Yudashkin hid his painful condition from everyone; even his colleagues had no idea about the true state of his health.
For a long time, the information was closed, relatives and relatives remained silent about the diagnosis, supported and helped him fight cancer in every possible way. There was a lot of talk and rumors in the media, and in order to stop them, Valentin spoke about the problem on the TV show “Live.” At the beginning of March 2020, Valentin Abramovich, before the annual Kremlin show in honor of International Women's Day, gave an interview to journalists admitting the disease.

While fighting the disease, the couturier did not appear much in public; he became very haggard and looked like an aged young man, but his signature smile remained unchanged.

In A. Malakhov’s television program, Yudashkin admitted that he did not give up and continued to fight thanks to the support of his soulmate Marina Yudashkina. She instilled in her husband great faith and hope in a favorable ending that would follow after all the painful procedures and manipulations aimed at recovery.

In sickness and in health, her wife was nearby; in her younger years, she gave up her career to help her husband develop his talent and created maximum comfort for the work and creativity of the future star, for this she had to sell her car and hereditary antiques.

During his illness, Marina protected the designer’s peace, did not allow journalists to approach him, answered all provocative questions herself and made sure that photographs of her husband from the hospital ward did not appear in the media. She told everyone the good news about her husband’s cancer going into long-term remission.

Andrey Kharitonov

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Andrei Kharitonov was operated on for the sixth time

The 59-year-old star of the film “The Gadfly” had 2.5 meters of intestine cut out

The actor, who shone in the films “The Gadfly”, “The Island of Unnecessary People” and other films, dies of oncology alone and in poverty - such a cry was made on social networks by the artist Tatyana Strelbitskaya. Fortunately, the panic turned out to be unjustifiably excessive. Unfortunately, Kharitonov actually faced cancer. A little less than a year ago, after complaints of acute abdominal pain, doctors diagnosed Andrei Igorevich with stomach cancer.

By the beginning of 2019, the artist had undergone six operations. As his relatives reported, the disease is receding - now Kharitonov is recovering, thanks to the help of those who care: fans for donations, a charitable foundation for organizing treatment, and his wife for always being there.

Andrey Kharitonov. Still from the series “At Gunpoint”

Fashion designer's childhood

Valentin worked days and nights, presented several works and began to realize that he lacked experience.
Therefore, I decided to replenish my talent in Paris. He was amazed by the variety of fabric textures, colors and tones; the Soviet Union was completely behind Parisian fashion. Yudashkin received inspiration, new strength and achieved creative perfection.

Returning to his homeland, he founded the company Valentin Yudashkin. And in 1991, at Haute Couture Week in France, he already presented his Faberge collection, which was received with triumph by the public.

Timur Gaidukov

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was discovered in the leading and ex-member of the Pyatigorsk KVN team in September last year. Having learned about the terrible diagnosis, Timur turned to the audience for help, announcing a fundraiser: “I’m ready to fight, live, work, be close to my family, watch my daughter grow up!”

Gaidukov was taken from the Stavropol Oncology Center to Moscow, where treatment began - in November the man underwent a second chemotherapy. Next to the artist is his family and child, for whose sake Timur is ready to fight cancer until victory.

Personal life

The celebrity’s successful career has developed thanks to the support and recognition of his wife. Marina was with Valentin in the most difficult moments and believed in his creative abilities. The couple is happy not only in public, but also at home.

Yudashkin’s wife sacrificed her work as a stylist and hairdresser for the sake of her husband’s growth. In 1990, a daughter, Galina, appeared in a happy family, who inherited a creative streak from her parents. At a young age, Valentin Yudashkina’s daughter, Galina Valentinovna Yudashkina, chose the profession of a photographer and became a creative director at her father’s fashion house.

In June, a high-profile event took place in the fashion world: Valentin Yudashkin married Galya. The celebration took place in Gostiny Dvor, and he did not trust anyone to sew the dress for his daughter - he created the luxurious bride’s outfit himself. It took him more than six months to work , but everything in the image was thought out to the smallest detail. Yudashkin's son-in-law, successful businessman Pyotr Maksakov, gave his beloved a designer ring with several carats. The host at the wedding was Nikolai Baskov himself.

The couple's first child was born in 2020 - Yudashkin's grandson was named Anatoly, and 2 years later the second son of Galina and Peter - Arkady - was born.

Who has won?

Natalya Maltseva. The star of the program “Housing Problem” disappeared from the screens four years ago. The presenter had to move to Israel for two years for treatment and rehabilitation. Now Natalya is back in action and has already presented a new show.
Yuri Nikolaev. In the 2000s, the presenter was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Over the past years, Nikolaev has experienced several relapses, but now the disease has receded: Yuri Alexandrovich continues to work, and in December he celebrated his 70th birthday.
Vladimir Pozner. Cancer overtook the TV presenter at the age of 59. American doctors made the diagnosis at an early stage, and therefore confidently promised: “Everything will be fine.” This, fortunately, is what happened. But Posner does not forget about the operation 25 years ago, openly talking about the difficult experience.
Andrey Gaidulyan. The star of the TV series “Univer” was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on the eve of his wedding to his girlfriend Diana. Instead of the registry office, the couple went to Germany, where doctors fought for Andrei’s life. The lovers passed the test of oncology, but did not maintain the relationship, breaking up soon after marriage.
Alexander Buynov. “Some things were cut off for me, but still, in the male part, I am in complete order,” joked the performer, who underwent surgery to remove the prostate gland. Buinov had no doubt that the disease would capitulate, and did not even cancel concerts while undergoing treatment.
Darya Dontsova. The writer was given no more than three months to live when she was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. But Daria had no intention of saying goodbye to her life, which included children, mother, and dogs, and began treatment, stoically enduring operations and therapy, during which she wrote a book.

Unbroken Valentin Yudashkin: a difficult fight against cancer and two women in the life of the great couturier

On October 14, the outstanding Russian couturier Valentin Yudashkin turned 55 years old. In the current fast-moving times, new names are constantly appearing in the field of domestic fashion. However, for the whole world, Russian style is still associated with Yudashkin. He dresses the elite and the brightest stars of show business. And the designer turns each show into a vibrant theatrical performance.

Valentin Yudashkin became the only designer from Russia who was accepted into the High Fashion Syndicate. However, in the late 90s, French fashion trendsetters decided that real couturiers should produce their collections only in Paris. Then Valentin Abramovich refused the high rank in favor of his native fatherland. For many years he has retained the title of the most influential and successful clothing designer in Russia. And the master has many new unrealized plans ahead.

"Faberge" from the Moscow region

Valentin Yudashkin was born in the village of Bakovka near Moscow. From childhood, the boy showed extraordinary drawing abilities. At first it was the beautiful landscapes of the Moscow region, and later, during his school years, Valentin became interested in clothing design. From under his hand came amazing sketches, which were then turned into costumes for close friends. Yudashkin's parents did not consider the profession of a fashion designer worthy of a man. But even they understood that their son’s professional path was destined by fate.

Yudashkin received a specialized education and began to work tirelessly. International success came to the young couturier in 1991. Then, at Haute Couture Week in Paris, Valentin presented his Faberge collection. The sophisticated public of the French capital was frantically delighted with the imagination and talent of the Russian fashion designer. Several dresses by Valentin Yudashkin were purchased by the Louvre Costume Museum and the California Fashion Museum. He returned to his homeland famous.

Friend, lover and muse

Valentin Abramovich was lucky in life. He not only achieved success, realized his talent, but also met the woman of his dreams. Marina worked as a hair stylist and was popular among the elite. Three months after the first date, Yudashkin proposed to her, and since then they have not parted. Marina's cheerful disposition and unpredictable character became an inexhaustible source of creative ideas for the fashion designer. In addition, it is impossible to get bored with her. Happy spouses could indulge in little follies that turn life into a constant holiday. For example, the Yudashkins periodically flew abroad just to have dinner in a pleasant place and immediately return home.

But this way of life did not develop for the couple in love right away. The Yudashkins have seen difficult times. “If it weren’t for Marina, I don’t know what would have become of me. After all, there were such terrible moments in life when, due to lack of livelihood, I sold the furniture from my house and my car. Moreover, all this belonged to Marina, but she took such steps for my sake... To say: “I am grateful to her” is to say nothing. I greatly appreciate that she dedicated her life to me. She believed in me... It was very difficult to break through, but she was there in those years,” said Valentin Abramovich in one of his interviews.

The woman who sings

Valentin Yudashkin met Alla Pugacheva during a concert at the Olimpiysky in the mid-80s. It was he who came up with a short black robe for the singer, which over time became associated with the look of the Prima Donna. Since then, there has not been a single concert or television show in which Pugacheva would not have appeared in a new dress “from Yudashkin”. The singer and fashion designer have a long creative relationship and close friendship.

But the designer dressed not only Pugacheva. Philip Kirkorov, Natalya Vetlitskaya, Lyudmila Gurchenko, Laima Vaikule and other stars of Russian show business performed in his stage costumes. Ksenia Sobchak was supposed to marry businessman Alexander Shustorovich in a dress from Yudashkin. But this marriage, alas, never took place. But Glyukoza, Diana Gurtskaya, Zara and Olesya Sudzilovskaya were luckier; they went to the altar in wedding dresses from the famous couturier.

Love saved him

Recently, the master does not often appear at social events. The fact is that Valentin Abramovich was given a terrible diagnosis. “Many people asked how Valya Yudashkin’s relatives could have missed the spread of metastases? But he was not observed. If Valentin had dropped into the hospital for just an hour and a half to two hours and had tests done, there would have been no problems. But we always have no time. Thank God the doctor managed to save him. True, they took away a kidney, part of a lung, and cleaned out the stomach completely,” said Joseph Kobzon in one of his last interviews.

However, Yudashkin is not going to give up. Every day he wages an uncompromising battle with the disease. And next to him are his closest people, and, of course, his beloved wife Marina. The fashion designer remains in service. Recently, the next Haute Couture Week was held in Paris, and Yudashkin presented his new collection to the discerning public. “We tried to combine the French mood of today with Japanese tailoring and bring femininity back to the catwalk. Today's times, we see, are very aggressive. I can't say that it's not beautiful or fashionable. But it’s important to have some symbols, and the symbol is a woman,” says Valentin Abramovich. And again, Parisians applauded the brilliant ideas of the master, who managed to combine French chic and fleeting oriental beauty.

Source: obaldela.ru

Daughter's wedding

In June 2020, Valentin married his beloved daughter in a luxurious wedding in Gostiny Dvor. A little later it was dubbed the “wedding of the century.” Indeed, everything was of the highest standard. The bride's dress took almost 9 months to create, and Yudashkin, together with his future son-in-law Pyotr Maksakov, ordered a ring with a 7-carat diamond privately.

To do this, they went to New York to a famous jeweler. The wedding was hosted by “Golden Voice of Russia” Nikolai Baskov. In 2020, the daughter gave her father a grandson, Anatoly Maksakov, and in 2020 their second son, Arkady, was born. Many guests came to the celebration in couturier suits and dresses, thereby honoring the talent of the bride's father.

France and its influence on couturier

Working days and nights, the future celebrity presented his first few collections and realized that he lacked experience. He went to Paris. There Yudashkin was shocked by the variety of textures and colors that he encountered in the French capital. This did not happen in Russia. The trip inspired him and gave him new strength for creative achievements.

“Faberge” collection, celebritieslab.xyz

After returning, Valentin creates his own company, Valentin Yudashkin. Later, in 1991, at Haute Couture Week in Paris, he demonstrated his triumphant Faberge collection. The French public was delighted with the dresses made in the style of the jeweler's world-famous eggs. One of the outfits shown then is now in the Louvre, the other is in the California Fashion Museum.

Yudashkin's diagnosis and his current state of health

Two years ago, Valentin Yudashkin underwent complex kidney surgery. However, there were no particular complaints about his health, and therefore the fashion designer’s fans did not even suspect that something serious had happened to him. Only after Yudashkin missed his show at Paris Fashion Week did the first guesses and concerns begin to appear.

And so, at the beginning of 2020, the designer finally revealed the truth to the press: he had cancer. Before this, no one knew about Yudashkin’s cancer: not his fans, not even close colleagues and friends. After admitting to the disappointing diagnosis of doctors, the Russian designer no longer gave any comments to journalists and did not talk about the details of his treatment.

One day, the late People’s Artist of the USSR and the Russian Federation, Joseph Kobzon, decided to discuss Yudashkin’s case. He said that the designer reacted too late to the appearance of symptoms of a terrible disease. And when Valentin and his wife turned to specialists for help, a lot of time had already been lost, so he would not have the fastest and most painless treatment.

As Kobzon noted, Yudashkin’s fans should not be deceived by the external picture. Yes, the designer looks pretty decent, he hasn’t even lost his hair, but inside his body, malignant tumors are persistently eating away. The famous performer was surprised how someone could treat themselves so inattentively. According to him, if Valentin Yudashkin had been tested at least six months earlier, the situation with the spread of metastases would have been less critical, and the treatment would have become more effective.