Lidiya Beletckaya Cosmetologist Country: Russia

1. Early Life
2. Pre-War Accomplishments
3. Marriage and Family
4. Career as a Cosmetologist
5. Legacy and Centenary Celebration

Early Life

Born in Melitopol, Ukraine, a century ago, Lydia Markovna Beletskaya was the daughter of a deputy health minister in the tsarist era. She received an excellent home education and was known for her beauty, competing in a beauty pageant at the age of 18.

Pre-War Accomplishments

Before the war, Beletskaya graduated from the Igumnov Moscow Music School, played the piano, and worked as an economist in a ministry. She embraced the jazz craze of the time, performing with the group "Blue Notes" as an accompanist for jazz vocalists. Her dancing skills also earned her many admirers, and she even led a ballroom dancing club.

Marriage and Family

Beletskaya married Lev Mikhailovich Beletsky, and the couple moved to Murmansk, where her husband served as the head of the Main Administration of the Northern Sea Route. They had a daughter together. However, tragedy struck in 1937 when Lev was arrested and sent to the Gulag for ten years. He was exiled a second time upon his return to Moscow, forcing the family to separate.

Career as a Cosmetologist

After returning to Moscow from evacuation in 1944, Beletskaya graduated from the Institute of Cosmetology and became a cosmetologist. Her extensive experience proved valuable after she retired, as she shared her secrets with students who sought her expertise.

Legacy and Centenary Celebration

On her 100th birthday, Beletskaya was showered with well wishes from around the world, including the United States, Germany, and Spain. Her family gathered to celebrate her remarkable life, with her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all earning prestigious degrees and pursuing fulfilling careers. Beletskaya's secret to longevity was attributed to her loving family, optimism, and the joy she found in singing romances and songs from her youth.