Aza Lihitchenko Soviet TV presenter, People's Artist of the RSFSR Date of Birth: 20.11.1937 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Career
2. Breakthrough into Television
3. Host of the "Vremya" News Program
4. Director of Announcers and Mentor
5. Personal Life
6. Legacy

Early Life and Career

Aza (Azalia) Vladimirovna Likhitchenko was born on November 20, 1937, in Moscow, into a Jewish family. She dreamed of becoming an actress from a young age. In 1959, she graduated from the Moscow Art Theatre School, where her classmates included Vladimir Vysotsky and Valentin Nikulin.

Breakthrough into Television

While still a student, Likhitchenko passed an audition to become a television announcer, which proved to be a pivotal moment. After completing her studies, however, she briefly joined the Sevastopol Russian Drama Theatre. Yet, in September, she was called back to work for television, leading to her departure from the theater.

Host of the "Vremya" News Program

On September 14, 1960, Likhitchenko became a permanent employee of the USSR State Radio and Television Broadcasting. In 1968, she became one of the main anchors of the "Vremya" news program. She remained an announcer for Central Television until 1993.

Director of Announcers and Mentor

Concurrently, Likhitchenko was appointed director of the announcer department. She served as a mentor to aspiring announcers and television presenters, including the renowned Ekaterina Andreeva.

Personal Life

Likhitchenko's first marriage was to Alexander Georgievich Mendeleev, a journalist and screenwriter. They were together for 17 years and had a daughter, Ekaterina, who became a chemist and teacher. Her grandson, Dmitry, is a chemist and research associate at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Her second marriage was to Alexander Mikhailovich Botvinov, a surgeon, but they divorced in 2000.

Legacy

Aza Likhitchenko passed away on July 6, 2024, at the age of 86. She is fondly remembered as one of the most iconic television anchors in Soviet and Russian history.