Beloved Soviet TV presenter Svetlana Zhiltsova dies at 89
Svetlana Zhiltsova, a renowned Soviet television presenter, has passed away at the age of 89, as announced by radio host Mikhail Kunitsyn.
Apr 23, 2026 0
Svetlana Zhiltsova was a prominent Soviet TV host who later taught at the Higher National School of Television.
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Famous television presenter and announcer Svetlana Zhiltsova has died. Her death was reported by radio host Mikhail Kunitsyn.
«Svetlana Zhiltsova has passed away. A beloved announcer for several generations. Eternal memory to a wonderful person and professional,» he wrote on social media.
Svetlana Zhiltsova was born in 1936 in Moscow. She studied foreign languages and began her television career in a joint project of Soviet and Canadian television — in a film about stars of Soviet pop music.
From 1961, Zhiltsova was the host of the program «KVN» (Club of the Merry and Quick-Witted): first paired with Albert Axelrod, and then with Alexander Maslyakov. After the temporary closure of the show, Maslyakov offered her to return, but Svetlana refused.
In 1993, Zhiltsova left television and began teaching at the Higher National School of Television.
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