If not the army
However, the future singer was not taught music in his parents’ family. This was done by my grandfather, who had excellent taste in music and also played the violin himself. Grandpa discovered the world of Leonid Utesov for Lyova, whose songs he began performing at school.
Gifted with a vocal gift, the schoolboy was destined to become an artist, but he did not enter GITIS. For a whole year, until the next exams, he held the position of a stagehand at the Bolshoi Theater, and then he went to a factory, learned to be a mechanic and almost forgot about his beautiful dream, if it weren’t for the army.
Family of Lev Leshchenko
The singer’s father, Valeryan Andreevich, graduated from the Kursk gymnasium and got a job on the farm. In the thirties he was sent to the capital, where he received the position of accountant at a factory. He went through the Soviet-Finnish war in the ranks of the Red Army, after which he worked in the NKVD. During the next war, he held the high position of deputy chief of staff of the cavalry troops. Received many awards. During his retirement years he worked in the MGB. Valeryan Leshchenko died in 2004, at the very respectable age of 99 years.
The performer’s mother, Klavdia Petrovna, died very early at the age of 28. Little Leo was only a year old at the time. According to Lev Valeryanovich, this happened in September 1943, at the very height of the war. An illness—either cancer or tuberculosis—struck my throat. Treatment was not possible due to the almost complete lack of drugs. The woman's life could not be saved.
Soon, Lev Leshchenko’s small family settled in Bogorodskoye, where his military unit was located.
Five years after his wife’s death, Leva’s father married again. Marina Mikhailovna Sizova became her son’s stepmother. Another year later, sister Valechka was born. Leshchenko remembers his stepmother with warmth. According to him, she was kind, patient and caring. A woman came to the capital from the village of Ternovka to enter a medical university, but when she met Valerian, she abandoned her studies in favor of raising children.
Magnificent wedding
Leshchenko was considered an enviable groom: handsome, talented, and the young man was well-mannered and kind. However, he had to look after the star of the course.
To attract her attention, Lev Valeryanovich found out when Alla’s classes were ending, waited, escorted her home, constantly hung around during performances, and then invited her for long walks through the most beautiful places in the capital.
In order to be together more often, they moved in together, and when Abdalova entered her fifth year, Leshchenko proposed to her. The students managed to put together a magnificent wedding. More than forty people were invited, and the bride's sister sent a couture dress from Great Britain. She was then married to a counselor at the British Embassy and was in London.
Lev Leshchenko now
In 2020, Lev Leshchenko gained a new experience. He was invited to be a mentor for the show “The Voice 60+,” a new offshoot of the popular vocal show, in which only older people participate. In 2020, he joined the second season of the project along with Mikhail Boyarsky, Valeria and Pelageya. Lev Leshchenko in the show “Voice 60+”. Impressions from the auditions In the first season, Leshchenko’s ward Evgeniy Strugalsky took second place, and the singer from Pelageya’s team won. In the second season, the situation repeated itself - Yuri Shivrin from Leshchenko’s team became second.
Lev Leshchenko and Evgeniy Strugalsky, silver medalist of the 1st season
Despite his age, Lev Leshchenko’s voice does not seem to notice the passing years. The singer watches him more seriously than his appearance. The main three rules of the artist: do not eat ice cream, do not drink vodka and do not spend sleepless nights. Leshchenko despises the phonogram: “the music was different, and even today’s generations are looking for these recordings on the Internet in order to somehow touch it.”
In October 2020, Lev Leshchenko performed at the White Cane charity concert, during which visually impaired children sang along with folk artists.
Lev Leshchenko at the White Cane concert
In 2020, Lev Leshchenko became president and artistic director of the Russian Bass music festival.
In March 2020, Russia joined the number of countries with a coronavirus epidemic. It seems that Lev Leshchenko has become the first domestic celebrity to be confirmed to have Covid-19. On March 24, the media reported that the People’s Artist and his wife were in a hospital in Kommunarka, where all patients with suspected coronavirus were brought, and 2 days later information appeared that the singer was in intensive care in extremely serious condition.
Short marriage
We moved in with Leshchenko’s parents, which was not at all difficult. The Leshchenko-Abdalovs lived as a big, cheerful family until the young people got their own apartment and were left alone. This is where the scandals began. Both now relate them to the ambitions of artists.
The institute star Abdalova, after several years of work at the Operetta Theater, moved to Leonid Utesov, where she was never able to leave the category of talented but similar singers. While her Lyova became a real pop star, he was invited to more and more prestigious concerts and competitions.
Start of career and personal life
Even before being drafted, Lev Leshchenko tried to enter GITIS; he wanted to study in the department of musical comedy, but he did not succeed. And surprisingly, the beginning of his career is connected with military service, where he became a soloist in a song and dance ensemble. Lev not only sang in the ensemble, but also performed solo numbers, even read poetry, and spent his free time preparing for entrance exams.
In 1964, he managed to enter GITIS, and very intensive studies began - at the same time, Lev worked at the Mosconcert, and during the summer holidays he toured with concert crews throughout the vast country. Remembering his youth, the singer happily talks 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, the young people lived with their parents, but then they were able to move to a cooperative apartment.
In the meantime, Lev went to radio (in 1970 he became the soloist-vocalist of the State Television and Radio of the USSR - in that era this meant a lot). This kind of work required 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 by 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 won the prestigious competition in Sopot with the beautiful song “For that guy.”
After this, he is more often invited to television, he becomes truly famous. And in 1975, on 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.
Professional jealousy
It was not for nothing that teachers at GITIS dissuaded Leshchenko from marrying the artist. The young singer was told in plain text: in such a family, sooner or later a war of ambitions will begin. That's exactly what happened. The main motive of jealousy, which both artists generously doused each other with during scandals, was professional jealousy. Lev's ratings grew, Alla lagged behind significantly.
The reluctance of the still very young Leshchenko to have children added fuel to the fire. In an interview, Abdalova will once say that she had abortions several times. After one of these interventions, the doctor said that the artists were supposed to give birth to twin boys. But it didn't happen.
Children of Lev Leshchenko
The children of Lev Leshchenko are a separate topic for him. To be honest, he never produced children in any of his marriages. What Lev Valeryanovich himself very much regrets. As for illegitimate children, the singer just laughs.
Once, in response to a journalist’s words about rumors that Leshchenko had an illegitimate son, the singer replied: “Perhaps he is, but then he should already be over forty. I definitely don’t have children in my marriage. And if we take into account the rumors, I should have children in almost half the country! This is already familiar. One day they called my wife and said that I had a child. They only replied that she was very happy for me. If I really have a son or daughter, then why not find me and tell me about it?”
Last tour
The imminent separation was also foreshadowed by the divergent tours of the almost former lovers. When Leshchenko was returning from another tour, Abdalova was just getting ready for a new one. They met less and less often in their own apartment, and during short meetings they always found reasons for quarrels and were almost no longer close people.
Everything was decided when Lev Valeryanovich went on another tour to Sochi.
On the Black Sea coast, a man met a charming student who was an exchange student in Budapest and was vacationing in the resort city during the holidays.
Irochka missed the rise of the new Soviet star. For four years now she had been poring over textbooks in another country; there was absolutely no time to pay attention to what was happening on the Soviet stage. Realizing that he was not a star for her at all, Leshchenko was inspired to win the beauty’s heart as an ordinary man.
Creative flourishing
In 1966, Lev Leshchenko became an artist at the Moscow Operetta Theater, and five years later he was already a soloist-vocalist of the USSR State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. Joseph Kobzon advised him to go there. They took part in a joint concert, and Leshchenko sang the part of the old gypsy from the opera “Aleko”. Kobzon advised his colleague to try his luck on the radio, and, as it turned out, Lev Valeryanovich, despite his academic vocals, was simply created for pop work. He could sing anything.
Lev Leshchenko at the beginning of his pop career
In the spring of 1970, the artist won the fourth All-Union Variety Artists Competition. Two years later, Lev Valeryanovich became a laureate of the international competition “Golden Orpheus” (Bulgaria) and won in Sopot (Poland) with the song by Mark Fradkin based on the verses of Robert Rozhdestvensky “For that guy”. Lev Leshchenko - “For that guy” The singer always considered David Tukhmanov’s song “Victory Day,” which Leshchenko first performed on May 9, 1975, a landmark for his musical career and his achievement. It was in his performance that this song found its sound and found a response in the hearts of listeners.
Lev Leshchenko in his youth and now
In parallel with Leshchenko, the song was entrusted to Leonid Smetannikov. But his performance did not catch the attention of the front-line soldiers. “Some kind of foxtrot,” the veterans were indignant, “and a coal, what a coal, there was a flame burning there!..” Fearing a scandal, the song was shelved. But Leshchenko took the risk of performing it at a concert on the occasion of Police Day (“Victory Day” closed the program) and the next day he received a huge number of letters.
During these years, Lev Valeryanovich continued to record songs that became hits, including “Thank you for the silence,” “Don’t cry, girl.”
Lev Leshchenko - “Victory Day”. 1975 The artist’s collaboration with Alexandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov turned out to be very fruitful. Leshchenko performed songs by the famous duet “We Can’t Live Without Each Other”, “Love, Komsomol and Spring”. Also popular were songs based on poems by Larisa Rubalskaya, Leonid Derbenev, and Yuri Vizbor.
Lev Leshchenko and members of the French group “Space” (1983)
In 1977, the singer was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR, and a year later he was awarded an honorary prize named after the Lenin Komsomol. In 1980, Lev Leshchenko received the Order of Friendship of Peoples, and three years later, for outstanding services, he became People's Artist of the RSFSR. In 1985, the Order of the Badge of Honor appeared in the artist’s collection. Lev Leshchenko and Tatyana Antsiferova - “Goodbye, Moscow” (1980) In 1990, Lev Leshchenko became the head of the musical agency theater of variety performances. Two years later, the institution was given state status. “Musical Agency” today has united several groups and organized cooperation with most pop stars in Russia and neighboring countries. The theater’s most successful project was the musical film “Military Field Romance” (1998), in which military-patriotic songs were performed by Lev Leshchenko, Vladimir Vinokur and Larisa Dolina.
In the photo: Vyacheslav Dobrynin, Lev Leshchenko and Yuri Antonov (1992)
For more than ten years, Lev Leshchenko has been working as a teacher at the Gnessin Music and Pedagogical Institute. His students became quite famous on the stage: Marina Khlebnikova, Olga Arefieva, Katya Lel, Varvara.
During his creative life, Lev Leshchenko released more than 10 records, magnetic albums and CDs. During his creative career, Leshchenko performed and recorded joint songs with Valentina Tolkunova and Sofia Rotaru, Anna German and Tamara Gverdtsiteli. Lev Leshchenko and Anna German - “Echo of Love” (1977) In 2001, Lev Leshchenko’s book entitled “Apology of Memory” was published. In it, the artist spoke about his contemporaries and about his life. In the winter of 2002, Lev Leshchenko received the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, fourth degree.
Singer's workplace
Lev Leshchenko has a voluminous, soft, low baritone and at the same time a courageous and velvety timbre. Due to such a voice and thanks to his pleasant appearance and charm, the artist was very popular in his youth and middle age. His image contrasts with the assertive and harsh demeanor on stage of Vladimir Vinokur, with whom the singer has often performed in tandem since the 90s. Moreover, Lev and Vladimir are very friendly, the singer even jokingly says that they have one mother between them.
Lev Leshchenko and Vladimir Vinokur often perform as a duet
In 2011, the artist participated in the television project “The Phantom of the Opera” on Channel One, where the singer professionally performed romances and arias from classical works. In February 2017, Leshchenko gave a concert at the Kremlin Palace in honor of his 75th birthday. His main hits together with the hero of the day were performed by Philip Kirkorov, Stas Mikhailov, Lolita and other Russian pop stars.
Lev Leshchenko continues to perform
In October 2020, the famous singer was awarded “For Services to the Fatherland”, 1st degree. In the same year, the artist released a new disc, “I Was Waiting for a Meeting.” Although the artist’s repertoire includes hundreds of compositions, from which a huge number of full-fledged concert programs can be compiled, Lev Valeryanovich continues to work on new material. So, in 2020, Leshchenko released two new albums: “My Last Love” and “Created for You,” which included both proven hits and unreleased compositions.
Two partings
She remembered that her lover remained in Budapest, but the courtship of the stately, handsome Leo from Moscow was so impressive. The girl gave up. They started dating in sunny Sochi, after her trip ended, they moved to Moscow, where Irina planned to end her vacation, and stayed together until she left for university.
The girl immediately admitted to her Hungarian boyfriend that she had met someone else.
Lev also felt a special longing for her. He was forced to return to his wife, who had lost interest in him. However, Abdalova already knew that her husband had met someone else. She opened the door to him with her suitcases packed, handed him over and closed it. Leshchenko thanked his ex-wife for the fact that they managed to do without noisy scandals.
Leshchenko with his wife, photo
Leshchenko and his wife Irina in their youth Lev Leshchenko and his wife Irina are happy and in love, just like many years ago
Partner news
Closed the topic of children
Leshchenko lived with his parents for a whole year, and when Irina graduated from her Hungarian university and returned to Moscow, they rented an apartment so as never to be separated. It is known that Leshchenko really wanted to have children with his second wife.
Irina will tell you in an interview that they have devoted a good ten years to this problem together. But after endless trials and experiences, we decided to close this topic. The star’s first wife also responded to this statement. Abdalova believes that by depriving her homewrecker of her children in this way, fate itself took revenge on her for that divorce.
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Personal life of Lev Leshchenko
The personal life of Lev Leshchenko, according to the singer himself, is happy, no matter what.
The famous musical performer and respected teacher was married twice during his life. Leshchenko’s first wife was a woman of the same creative profession - actress and singer Alla Alexandrovna Abdalova. At first glance, everything was fine, but in the end, the marriage with her lasted only a dozen years - from 66 to 76.
Lev Valeryanovich found true family happiness with Irina Pavlovna Bagudina, whom he married in 1978. The woman is twelve years older than himself, yet they are happy together to this day.
How did Irina meet her husband, Lev Leshchenko?
She was 22 years old at the time. Irina vacationed in Sochi during the autumn holidays, at the Zhemchuzhina Hotel, which is still famous today. As often happens, everything happened by chance - a friend of our heroine noticed Lev in the hotel lobby, which she immediately told young Irina with delight. It is noteworthy that Lev Leshchenko’s future wife at that time did not even suspect who this stately man at the reception desk was at that time.
And 34-year-old Lev at that time already shone on stage with all his might, being remembered by listeners for the compositions “For that guy” and “Victory Day”. Looking ahead, many unexpected (for her) moments awaited Ira in public places, when her new companion would be recognized.
At some point, she couldn’t stand it and asked Lev Leshchenko directly: “How does everyone know you?” To which he was surprised and joked that he was the leader of a local gang.
But Leo’s fame did not interest her. She was interested... in the singer's eyes. Even at the first meeting, she was carried away by Leshchenko’s eyes, in which she saw the whole world. The answer came immediately - on the same day Ira was returning from the beach and got into the elevator with the celebrity. Is it a coincidence? Nobody knows, but now it doesn’t matter.
The couple turned out to have mutual acquaintances, and in the evening they spent time in the same company. It is important to understand that the age difference between Lev and Irina was almost 12 years - for a 22-year-old girl this was significant.
Lev Leshchenko was a good guy, and immediately determined the specific status of his new acquaintance. In addition to the beauty of her figure and hair, he noted Irina’s foreign clothes. A little later, he visited her room and noticed that the personal care products in his future wife’s bathroom were also foreign. And no matter what it may seem like now, then the artist was scared - what if he was being recruited? But his doubts were dispelled by Irina herself, reporting about her study abroad.
Lev hooked our heroine not only with his eyes. She liked that he was already an adult and looked after her beautifully, unlike her peers, among whom rudeness and impudence were valued. He felt that Irina valued taking care of herself, and not just flirting and courtship.
Next came a remarkable moment. For unknown reasons, Ira ended the holiday romance with no options for continuation (as she thought). She did not leave him any contact information - neither number nor address. She very quickly regretted it - she was faced with the end of the holidays alone. But fate intervened in the person of her friend, who shared her phone number with the singer.
Events unfolded just like in a movie. A friend invited Irina Leshchenko to stay at her place, and a day later Lev arrived there. He abandoned all his plans in Sochi and rushed to Moscow, arriving at the apartment straight from the plane.
Young Irina lost her head. For three whole days the lovers were crazy about each other, walked and sat in restaurants. After which our heroine was forced to return to Hungary.
Interesting fact . At that time, Lev Leshchenko already had a wife. For 10 years, his wife was Alla Abdalova, at that time an actress and singer.
They met at GITIS. By the way, Ira knew about the marriage, but did not pay attention to it. Moreover, as soon as Lev started dating Irina, he moved to live with his parents.
But the joint path of Lev and Irina Leshchenko is not covered only with rose petals. After our heroine returned to Budapest, the couple did not see each other for six months.
From that moment on, Lev Leshchenko was so afraid of losing contact with Irina that he called her constantly... As a result, in the first month of such telephone conversations alone, 13,000 rubles accumulated - colossal money at that time. In addition to calls, there were also love letters, imbued with the masculine tenderness of a celebrity. Irina also did not sit on the defensive - she answered him with letters about her stay abroad and her student stories.
Note that this did not prevent Lev Leshchenko’s future wife from successfully completing her studies, after which the couple got married. This happened after her return to her homeland, in 1978.
At a certain point, Irina’s parents returned from a long business trip to Africa. They approved of the relationship between Lev and Irina - it was so noticeable with what trepidation the singer treated their daughter.
Like many celebrity wives, Irina wanted to get married once and for all. But only a few were able to keep the marriage afloat, and among them were Irina and Lev Leshchenko.
Why is the marriage of Lev and Irina Leshchenko successful?
We can probably say the following. The main rule is that happiness loves silence . Unlike many other Russian pop stars, Lev and Irina Leshchenko never sought publicity in their relationship. And they started from the very first step - with a modest wedding, without a pompous ceremony in the Wedding Palace.
Another rule that Leo noted was that he never reproached Irina . As the singer himself states, “never beat your wife, do not humiliate or criticize.” And he adds that you should never spend your holidays separately. Make a note for yourself, dear readers!
Another good reason for the strong relationship is the way Lev Leshchenko’s wife perceived rumors about her husband’s infidelity. According to Irina herself, there will always be evil tongues. These are the costs of the profession, nothing more.
For example, journalists actively courted Lev Leshchenko to Valentina Tolkunova when they together performed Lyudmila Lyadova’s composition “Waltz of Lovers”.
