08.01.2019

Regina Zbarskaya in full height. From the catwalk to the mental hospital. The real story of fashion model Regina Zbarskaya.

She was called the “red queen” and “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin.” The best photographers around the world wanted to collaborate with her. famous couturiers. As you guessed, our heroine today is Regina Zbarskaya. When did her career in the modeling industry begin? Were you happy with your husband? What is the cause of death of the Soviet beauty? You will learn about all this by reading the contents of the article.

Regina Zbarskaya: biography (short)

She was born in 1935 (September 27). There are two versions of its origin. One says that our heroine was born in Leningrad. Her mother worked as a gymnast in the circus. Regina's father is a native of Yugoslavia. He was an aerialist. He worked in the same circus with her mother.

According to the second version, fashion model Regina Zbarskaya (nee Kolesnikova) was born in the glorious city of Vologda. Mom got it higher education by specialty "doctor". And my father, Nikolai Kolesnikov, was a military man.

Conquest of Moscow

In 1953, a 17-year-old girl arrived in the Russian capital. She managed to enter VGIK on her first try. Our heroine was enrolled in the Faculty of Economics. When free from lectures and practical classes At that time, the provincial girl attended “bohemian” parties. At one of these events, the beauty met fashion designer Vera Aralova. She immediately offered the girl cooperation.

Why did Regina Zbarskaya stand out so much? Her height was 170 cm, and her weight was 50 kg. She had chubby cheeks And long braid. And she also had refined manners and competent speech.

European beauty

At the end of the 50s, our heroine got a job at the Fashion House located on Kuznetsky Most. IN Soviet time There was simply no such profession as a model. Therefore in work book Regina was listed as a “5th grade worker.” Her monthly salary was 76 rubles.

She regularly participated in Vera Aralova's shows. The other girls immediately disliked her. Envious people did everything to ensure that Regina’s career ended as soon as possible. They repeatedly inserted pins into her outfits and poured glass shards into her shoes. But Kolesnikova bravely endured all these troubles.

In 1961, Vera Aralova had the opportunity to show her collection abroad. For her trip to Paris she chose the most best models, including Regina Zbarskaya. The USSR proved to the whole world that Soviet citizens also wear fashionable and sophisticated clothes. Then the French saw for the first time women's boots with a zipper that ran along the entire length of the boot. Today this view women's shoes can be seen in any store. And few people know that its inventor was Vera Aralova. There was simply no such thing as a patent in those days. European fashion designers quickly stole the invention from under their noses.

Particular attention of the press and spectators in the hall at Vera Aralova's outdoor show was focused on the fashion model Regina Zbarskaya. The French publication Paris Match called it “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin.” However, this magazine was banned in the USSR, which means it was impossible to bring it with you.

Further career development

At home, Zbarskaya was considered a real star of the modeling industry. Men went crazy over her beauty, and girls wanted to be like her.

Regina's photographs were published in the Leningrad magazine "Fashion", which was published in a circulation of several thousand copies. This edition sold out in a matter of days.

In 1967, Moscow hosted the first international fashion festival. The best Western fashion designers and photographers came here. For this event, a special issue of Fashion magazine was published with Regina Zbarskaya on the cover. And on the spread, the famous fashion model appeared in luxurious dress, made based on Russian icon painting. The special issue of the magazine was sent to many countries. Thanks to this, the Soviet beauty gained worldwide fame. And her beautiful face became " business card" THE USSR.

Soon, fashion model Regina Zbarskaya began collaborating with fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev. He long and persistently persuaded her to change her hairstyle. One day the beauty agreed. Zaitsev tonsured Regina as a page.

The result is a cute and attractive image - a kind of Italian senorita. Short haircut fit perfectly with her pale face and almond-shaped eyes. After the great Fellini saw Regina in this image and in a red dress, he began to call her “the Soviet Sophia Loren.” Her natural beauty admired by Yves Montand, Pierre Cardin and even Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Great love and betrayal

At the end of the 1950s, Regina Kolesnikova met the young Moscow artist Lev Zbarsky. He was brought up in a respected and intelligent family. Lev's father, Boris Zbarsky, was a famous scientist. At one time, this man participated in the embalming of V. Lenin’s corpse.

What about Regina Zbarskaya? The model cried for several days and then went for an abortion. It turned out to be unsuccessful, which is why the girl began to have health problems. The catwalk star was no longer able to have children. For this she blamed herself first and foremost.

Abortion did not help Regina and Leo maintain their relationship. Zbarsky spent less and less time with her. One day, the fashion model returned home earlier than usual and found her husband in the arms of his mistress. It was actress Marianna Vertinskaya. Lev Borisovich did not make excuses. Our heroine found the strength to forgive him for his betrayal. However, Regina Zbarskaya’s husband continued to lead a wild lifestyle.

One day he told her that he was leaving for another woman. Regina agreed to the divorce. Soon Lev married his new chosen one - actress Lyudmila Maksakova. They were born common son. Upon learning of this, the model experienced a severe shock. After all, Zbarsky did not allow her to keep the child. And now he is enjoying fatherhood.

Beauty and politics

Many representatives of Moscow bohemia, familiar with Lev Zbarsky, collaborated with the KGB. Over time, the world-famous fashion model became involved in secret special operations. Its task was to collect certain information about political views and the moods of various Western figures coming to Moscow. Regina Zbarskaya was not chosen by chance as a secret agent. Firstly, she amazed foreigners with her beauty, which means she could win men over to a frank conversation. Secondly, the model spoke fluent French and English.

Compromising evidence

After breaking up with her husband, the model began to abuse tranquilizers. For some time she fell out of real life. Regina did not answer calls and did not open the door for anyone. She looked at the photograph ex-spouse and cried bitterly.

Regina Zbarskaya, whose biography we are considering, was still able to cope with depression. Deputy director of the House of Vorobey Models, Elena Stepanovna, helped her return to the podium.

Soon the beauty’s personal life also began to improve. Regina's heart was won by a young journalist who left Yugoslavia. The “Red Queen” had no idea that he was using her name to achieve his own fame. This guy published a book on German. It was called “One Hundred Nights with Regina Zbarskaya.” The journalist described in detail their intimate meetings with the fashion model. The book also talked about her denunciations of other girls working at the House of Models. Where is the truth and where is the lie - it was very difficult to figure it out.

Broken psyche

Most of the circulation of the book published by Yugoslavia was withdrawn from sale. But Zbarskaya could not avoid a political scandal. Several times a week the beauty was called to the Lubyanka. Her colleagues looked at her askance. She was taking antidepressants, which caused weakness and drowsiness. Because of this, Regina stopped going on the podium.

Death

After a political scandal with her participation, Regina Nikolaevna Zbarskaya twice tried to commit suicide. But the doctors managed to bring her back from the other world in time. Each time she was treated in a mental hospital. The woman calmed down, and then she was sent home.

On November 15, 1987, Regina's lifeless body was discovered in her apartment. Next to Zbarskaya there were empty bottles of pills. And she had a telephone receiver in her hand. Perhaps in last moment the model wanted to ask someone she knew for help. But she didn't have time to do this. Doctors who responded to the call confirmed the death of a 52-year-old woman.

Regina's funeral was modest. Former colleagues on the podium did not come to say goodbye to her. Zbarskaya's body was cremated. The location of her burial is still kept secret. It is known only to close relatives and friends of the model.

The image of Regina Zbarskaya in the cinema

The biography of the Soviet fashion model is still of interest to many people. To satisfy their curiosity, the Ukrainian-Russian series “The Red Queen” was filmed in 2015.

Regina was played by aspiring actress Ksenia Lukyanchikova (voiced by Elena Kalinina). True, in the film her last name was Barskaya. Artem Tkachenko (Regina’s husband), Anatoly Rudenko (KGB officer), Ada Rogovtseva, Boris Shcherbakov and others were also involved in the filming of the series.

As for Lev Zbarsky, he also broke up with Lyudmila Maksakova. In the early 1970s he emigrated to Israel. IN last years the artist lived alone in a rented apartment in New York. He was battling cancer (lung cancer). He passed away on February 22, 2016.

Our heroine had a whirlwind romance with Soviet intelligence officer and military expert Vitaly Shlykov.
In 1958, Regina Nikolaevna Zbarskaya played the Italian singer Silvanna in the musical comedy film “The Sailor from the Comet.” She was listed in the credits as Regina Kolesnikova. 10 years later, the fashion model appeared in one of the episodes of the film “24-25 Doesn’t Return.”
The Soviet beauty had practically no friends. And the culprit is ordinary female envy towards her. For example, fellow models called her the “Snow Queen” and considered Regina an arrogant and secretive lady.
Every person has their own shortcomings. Regina Zbarskaya was no exception. She had slightly crooked legs. She played up this disadvantage with the help of well-chosen outfits and tights.

Finally

The story of Regina Zbarskaya is a clear example how high a person can fly on the career ladder and how painful it is for him to fall down. The betrayal of her husband, constant intrigues on the part of her colleagues, great human envy, incriminating evidence collected by her lover - all this broke the character of our heroine and negatively affected the state of her psyche. But, in spite of everything, in the memory of a huge number of people, Regina Zbarskaya (model) remains a brilliant beauty and catwalk star.

In 1953, seventeen-year-old Regina Kolesnikova came to Moscow and entered the Faculty of Economics at VGIK. According to one version, Regina Zbarskaya ( maiden name Kolesnikova) was born in Leningrad. On November 15, 1987, Regina decided to commit suicide for the third time. While in the hospital, the woman took a handful of pills and fell asleep forever.

There are two versions regarding Regina's place of birth and parents. It was from this meeting that it began modeling career Regina. By participating in Aralova’s shows, Kolesnikova told the whole world that the USSR also has fashion. The French magazine Paris Match called it “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin.”

Regina Zbarskaya. Body of national importance.

Regina's only lover, and then her husband (in the early 1960s), was the Moscow artist Lev Zbarsky, the son of the scientist Boris Zbarsky. In 1958, Regina Zbarskaya (Kolesnikova) starred in the film Sailor from the Comet, which was released in 1958. In the film she plays Italian singer Silvanna. In the credits she is listed as R. Kolesnikova. Apparently this is the only video where you can see a video of Regina 22-23 years old in color, and hear the voice of Regina Zbarskaya.

Both loving parents allegedly crashed under the dome - and the girl Regina was sent to an orphanage. But a certain Nina Rusakova, who claimed that she studied with Regina in the same Vologda school, said that the father of the future fashion model was a retired officer, and her mother’s profession was quite ordinary. Regina faced opposition from her husband, who saw her as his muse, and not as a woman washing diapers.

The name of the model Regina Zbarskaya, a star of the first magnitude in the world of Soviet fashion, was one of the most scandalous in the 1960s. There were many rumors about her. Be that as it may, Regina's fate was tragic. In the early 1960s, Regina married the artist Lev Zbarsky and plunged headlong into the world of fashion. After some time, Lev and Regina separated; in the 1970s, Zbarsky emigrated to America. On November 15, 1987, during another attack of depression, 51-year-old Regina Zbarskaya committed suicide. The burial place is unknown.

Fashion (made in USSR)

These and other words were heard every time Regina Zbarskaya appeared on the podium. Regina Zbarskaya realized early on that beauty and youth could provide her with a decent future. It was during her student years that Regina realized that youth and external appearance were the ticket to a brilliant future.

Family or career?

Regina did not give up and one day at one of the parties her “European appearance” was noticed by the artist and fashion designer Vera Aralova. For 7 years, the Zbarsky couple was one of the most beautiful couples Moscow elite. In 1967, Regina had to do a lot important choice In my life. At 32 she became pregnant.

Tell me what you think...

After treatment, Zbarskaya tried to return to her profession. In 1973, the black streak in the life of the ex-model gave way to a white one. At least Regina hoped so. Zbarskaya met a Yugoslav journalist. Given the unstable mental health Regina, it is possible that she knew about the upcoming publication.

In 1984 she last time starred for a fashion magazine - needless to say, it was a completely different Zbarskaya. Many people who were once close to her still do not know where the grave of the legendary Regina Zbarskaya is located.

Dubious profession

This is evidenced by the story of fashion model No. 1 in the USSR Regina Zbarskaya, whom French magazines called “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin.” At the Fashion House on Kuznetsky Most, Regina Zbarskaya was not immediately appreciated - “colleagues in the shop” said that she had crooked legs. But she knew how to walk the catwalk in such a way that her flaws were not noticeable. It is not known for certain what price Regina Zbarskaya had to pay for such frequent foreign business trips.

Regina Zbarskaya's family happiness ended very quickly - her husband did not want children and forced her to have an abortion, after which she switched to antidepressants. Regina tried to commit suicide twice, after which she ended up in a psychiatric hospital for several years. “I don’t know where Regina’s grave is,” sighs Vyacheslav Zaitsev.

Regina Kolesnikova's father (that's her maiden name) was a retired officer. A miracle happened. Regina was noticed. Osmerkina. – Regina did not communicate with other models. Regina, it seems to me, smelled cold. Tatiana Osmerkina. Children are a taboo, a forbidden topic for Regina from now on. After the abortion, Regina was replaced. Regina is almost thirty. She was bird of paradise compared to sparrows!” Dangerous Liaisons They made up a lot about Regina. Regina’s husband probably served as such protection.

While studying, she began to appear at “bohemian” parties, where one day Vera Aralova, famous at that time, noticed her. And when Vyacheslav Zaitsev cut Zbarskaya’s hair like a pageboy and created the image of an “Italian beauty,” Regina was dubbed the “Soviet Sophia Loren” in the Western press.

Returning from the hospital, Zbarskaya, with the help of the deputy director of the Model House, Elena Stepanovna Vorobey, returned to the podium. The book also talked about her denunciations of other fashion models. According to this version, she was found dead in an apartment with handset in hand. Colleagues from the House of Models did not come to the funeral; Zbarskaya’s body was cremated.

I was hired by the Fashion House as a “type figure” - a fashion model on whom they did fittings. 2015 - the film companies “FILM.UA” and “Shpil” produced a 12-episode biographical feature film “The Red Queen” about the life of Zbarskaya (her role is played by Ksenia Lukyanchikova).

IN school years the beautiful Kolesnikova was an activist and Komsomol organizer; girls envied her and predicted the future of a famous artist. And although the fashion model was officially listed as a 5th category worker with a salary of 76 rubles. per month, she absolutely loved traveling abroad and communicating with VIP guests.

But the condition of the legend of the Soviet catwalk did not improve, and for the first time she ended up in a psychiatric hospital. Failures in her career, failures on the personal front - all this influenced the former prima’s isolation and her decision to convert to Orthodoxy. I’m watching a film about Regina’s biography and at the same time re-reading the biography, and I just want to cry about how a person was ruined.

Sometimes fate carries you like a chip and you are unable to change anything. And I’m saying this from the perspective of age... This is the first time I’ve come across a biography and such a name.

Regina Zbarskaya a real man. Regina Zbarskaya stands apart on this list. Regina Zbarskaya was not just a stunning beauty, but also smart. Vyacheslav Zaitsev hired Regina as a cleaner in his Fashion House. Regina Zbarskaya was another star of the Soviet catwalk of the 1960s. I took Regina with me to “Aragvi”. Regina never became famous.

IN modern world It is generally accepted that life in the Soviet Union was strictly regulated and ranked, that the country did not succeed in any form cultural life, except for cinema and ballet. Life and creative path the famous fashion model Regina Zbarskaya proves the opposite. This spectacular woman, despite her Soviet passport, was able to stand on par with the world stars of the podium, was on short leg with such legends of the fashion world as Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior.

But Regina Zbarskaya is not only a fashion model-star, but also a woman of mystery. Her life is shrouded in secrets and rumors - from her place of birth to the circumstances of her death. According to the official version, she was born in Leningrad into a family of circus performers who crashed while performing a complex acrobatic stunt under the circus big top. The girl was sent to an orphanage, where she lived until she was 17 years old. According to another version, allegedly told by her classmate, Regina is from Vologda, and her parents are employees government agencies, mother is an accountant, and father is retired officer.

The biography of Regina Zbarskaya begins to become clearer in 1953, when, at the end of high school she comes to Moscow and enters the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography. True, the girl did not get into the acting department and began to study economics. But VGIK is VGIK: the young beauty still goes to screen tests, however, without success. She also often appears at social parties and receptions. At one of these meetings of bohemians, Zbarskaya meets the then quite famous fashion designer Vera Aralova, who invites the girl to take part in demonstrating her new collection clothes. This is where Regina's rise in the modeling business began.

Mannequin

Regina Zbarskaya appeared on the catwalk for many years, participating in the shows of Vera Aralova and many other Soviet fashion designers. By the way, it was Regina who was the first fashion model in the world to demonstrate women's boots with a zipper along the entire length of the top. This shoe format, which is now almost standard, was invented and developed in the Union by Vera Aralova. But since fashion designers did not adhere too closely to the concept of a patent, the invention was stolen from under her nose.

Regina was called another name, albeit with a negative connotation, by fellow models: “ The Snow Queen" Apparently they thought she was too arrogant, too Western, too individual. Regina did not strive to establish any friendly contacts, always remaining withdrawn into herself, and only her closest people saw the real her.

But, unfortunately, overnight the fashion model’s shining career also instantly faded away. After serious complications related to her personal life, Zbarskaya could not do without antidepressants. Medicines helped her not go crazy, but prevented Regina from entering the professional podium. For some time she had to work as a cleaner in a Fashion House, and then former star completely disappeared from view.

Personal life

As in the case of the place of birth, confusion and understatement exist in information about the personal life of Regina Zbarskaya. It is believed that her only husband was the famous Soviet illustrator and animator Lev Zbarsky, the son of the same Boris Zbarsky who embalmed the body. But there are rumors that Regina also had a first husband, whose name she did not reveal, since he came from the wrong class of society.

However, he soon left the family himself and married an actress, who bore him a son. Having learned that ex-husband became a father in new family, while he did not allow her to be a mother, Regina Zbarskaya experienced a severe shock, began taking tranquilizers, and later ended up in a psychiatric hospital with signs of severe depression.

After some time, the fashion model had a new lover - a Yugoslav journalist. Their stormy romantic relationship ended in a new betrayal: the young man went to Germany, where he published the book “One Hundred Nights with Regina Zbarskaya,” in which he picturesquely talked not only about his connection with the famous fashion model, but also about her collaboration with the KGB, denunciations of colleagues and Regina’s anti-Soviet opinion.

Death

The book, published by Yugoslavia, was almost immediately withdrawn from sale, but Zbarskaya faced a real political scandal, after which she tried to commit suicide twice, but both times unsuccessfully. Last days the runway legend spent time in a psychiatric hospital and, according to service personnel, felt extremely guilty for speaking so poorly about my country and the people I knew.

The third suicide attempt turned out to be the last. Regina Zbarskaya took a large dose of sleeping pills and died on November 15, 1987. According to the official version, she managed to poison herself in the hospital where she was staying Lately, according to other sources, the woman took the medicine at home and began calling her friends to apologize for the denunciations she had once written. None of them attended Regina Nikolaevna’s funeral former colleagues. The body of the legendary fashion model was cremated, but it is still unknown where she is buried.

The feature film “The Red Queen” was shot about the life, career and death of Regina Zbarskaya, where the role of the famous woman was played by an aspiring actress. In addition, television viewers could see a documentary investigation about the last days of Zbarskaya from the series of programs “The investigation was conducted...”, which was conducted by the permanent presenter.

Regina Zbarskaya. Beauty in Soviet style

Nowadays, every second schoolgirl dreams of becoming a model, because this profession is considered quite prestigious and fashionable. But during the Soviet era, the concept of “model” did not exist, and the profession of a fashion model was one of the lowest paid and most disrespected. The fates of the first Soviet fashion models were not as brilliant as those of modern models. This is evidenced by the story of fashion model No. 1 in the USSR Regina Zbarskaya, whom French magazines called “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin.”

Despite the lack of modeling business, soviet fashion still existed: fashion shows were held, fashion models traveled abroad to demonstrate the advantages of the Soviet way of life and the beauty of working women. However, "clothing demonstrators" in the 1960s. were treated like general workers of the last category and received one of the lowest salaries in the USSR. Almost no one knew the names of the models at that time, but they have survived to this day. One of them is Regina Zbarskaya.

At the age of 17, Regina Kolesnikova came from Vologda to conquer Moscow. Her real story seemed boring to her, so she came up with another biography for herself: the daughter of circus gymnasts who tragically died in the arena, with Italian roots. In Moscow, the girl actively attended private parties, where she met her future husband, artist Lev Zbarsky.

At the Fashion House on Kuznetsky Most, Regina Zbarskaya was not immediately appreciated - “colleagues in the shop” said that she had crooked legs. But she knew how to walk the catwalk in such a way that her flaws were not noticeable. She quickly became model No. 1 and began to often represent the USSR at foreign shows.

Regina Zbarskaya appeared on the catwalk for many years, participating in the shows of Vera Aralova, Vyacheslav Zaitsev and many other Soviet fashion designers. By the way, it was Regina who was the first fashion model in the world to demonstrate women's boots with a zipper along the entire length of the top. This shoe format, which is now almost standard, was invented and developed in the Union by Vera Aralova. But since fashion designers did not adhere too closely to the concept of a patent, the invention was stolen from under her nose.

In the early 60s, the whole world already knew about Regina Zbarskaya, including the fashion capital of Paris. The French called her “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin,” and when Zaitsev once again demonstrated his unconventional creative look and cut the model’s hair like a pageboy, she got a new nickname - “Soviet Sophia Loren.”
Regina was called another name, albeit with a negative connotation, by fellow models - “The Snow Queen”. Apparently they thought she was too arrogant, too Western, too individual. Regina did not strive to establish any friendly contacts, always remaining withdrawn into herself, and only her closest people saw the real her.

It is not known for certain what price Regina Zbarskaya had to pay for such frequent foreign business trips. According to rumors, she had love affairs with members of the Central Committee, visiting celebrities and local dissidents, on whom she later “snitched.” They say that she was the Russian Mata Hari and collaborated with the KGB. However, the lack of documentary evidence does not allow us to say for sure.

The fashion model lived with Lev Borisovich for quite a long time and at first very happily. He even called Regina his muse. But then the relationship began to deteriorate. Zbarsky started an affair with actress Marianna Vertinskaya, and he also had other hobbies. But Regina endured all the betrayals and did not intend to leave even after her husband forced her to have an abortion.
However, he soon left the family and married actress Lyudmila Maksakova, who bore him a son. Having learned that her ex-husband became a father in a new family, while he did not allow her to be a mother, Regina Zbarskaya experienced a severe shock, began taking tranquilizers, and later ended up in a psychiatric hospital with signs of severe depression.

After some time, the fashion model had a new lover - a Yugoslav journalist. Their stormy romantic relationship ended in a new betrayal: the young man went to Germany, where he published the book “One Hundred Nights with Regina Zbarskaya,” in which he vividly talked not only about his connection with the famous fashion model, but also about her collaboration with the KGB, denunciations of colleagues and Regina's anti-Soviet opinion.

The book, published by Yugoslavia, was almost immediately withdrawn from sale, but Zbarskaya faced a real political scandal, after which she tried to commit suicide twice, but both times unsuccessfully. The podium legend spent her last days in a psychiatric hospital and, according to the staff, felt extreme guilt for speaking so poorly about her country and people she knew.

The third suicide attempt turned out to be the last. Regina Zbarskaya took a large dose of sleeping pills and died on November 15, 1987. According to the official version, she managed to poison herself in the hospital where she had been staying recently; according to other sources, the woman took the medicine at home and began calling her friends to apologize for the denunciations she had once written. None of the former colleagues were present at Regina Nikolaevna’s funeral. The body of the legendary fashion model was cremated, but it is still unknown where she is buried.

At the Fashion House

Regina Zbarskaya and Vyacheslav Zaitsev

Lev Zbarsky

Felix-Lev Borisovich Zbarsky (1931-February 22, 2016, New York) - Soviet and American artist. Son of biochemist Boris Zbarsky, brother of biochemist Ilya Zbarsky, first husband of actress Lyudmila Maksakova.

Wedding photography

Biography.

The first son from the 2nd marriage of Boris Ilyich Zbarsky with Evgenia Borisovna Perelman. Lev was born in November 1931 in Moscow. The father decided to name his son after the person he respected most. Since there were two such people: Lev Yakovlevich Karpov and Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, the son was given a double name - Lev-Felix. In Tyumen, Lev showed interest in drawing. The father found an artist in the city who gave the boy lessons for several years. After school, he entered the Printing Institute, where he received a specialty as a graphic artist (book illustrator). Sergei Dovlatov wrote in his book “Solo on Underwood” that the Khrushchev thaw for him began precisely with Zbarsky’s drawings. And he called his illustrations for Olesha the pinnacle of perfection. Zbarsky was the production designer of several animated films: “Bathhouse” (1962), “Moskvichek” (1963), “Country Orchestra” (1964). In 1972 he emigrated to Israel, from there he moved to the USA. In an interview with the magazine “Only Stars,” Zbarsky’s friend Roman Kaplan said that the artist was seriously ill, he had stage 4 lung cancer. He lives in New York, has become a recluse, and does not communicate with his son Maxim from actress Lyudmila Maksakova, nor with his grandson Peter. Lev Zbarsky died on February 22, 2016 in a New York hospice.

Regina Nikolaevna Zbarskaya - famous soviet fashion model. Regina Zbarskaya was called the “Soviet Sophia Loren” for her extraordinary beauty.

Regina Zbarskaya was born in 1935 in Vologda. Her father was a retired officer Nikolai Dementievich Kolesnikov, her mother worked as a doctor. In 1953, Regina, then still Kolesnikova, moved to Moscow, where she entered VGIK. After meeting fashion designer Vera Aralova, she began working as a model. Then they learned about Regina not only in Russia, but also abroad. The French magazine Paris Match then called it “the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin.”

Regina's only husband was the Soviet and American artist Lev Zbarsky (1931-2016). In 1967, Regina Zbarskaya had an abortion because her husband did not want a child. After this, she began to be tormented by a feeling of guilt, which she tried to suppress with antidepressants. In the end, Lev Zbarsky first became interested in actress Marianna Vertinskaya, and then went to actress Lyudmila Maksakova, whom he later married. After the shocks she experienced, the famous fashion model ended up in a psychiatric hospital. Experts diagnosed her with severe depression.

After treatment, Zbarskaya again appeared on the podium, but soon a new shock awaited her. She became interested in a Yugoslav journalist who, using Regina, wrote the scandalous book “One Hundred Nights with Regina Zbarskaya”, in which he talked about intimate details, about connections with members of the Central Committee and cooperation with the KGB, as well as how Regina informed on other models. The book caused a real political scandal. Regina Zbarskaya tried to commit suicide twice, ended up in the hospital, after which she was no longer able to return to the podium.

One of the most prominent fashion models of the USSR died in November 1987, as a result of her third suicide attempt. The circumstances of Regina Zbarskaya's death are still mysterious. We only know that she was poisoned by sleeping pills. According to one version, she died in the hospital, according to another - at home. Judging by the second version, the body of the fashion model was found in the apartment with a telephone receiver in her hands. Regina Zbarskaya's body was cremated. The burial place remains unknown.