One of the pioneers of Russian television, Azh Likhitchenko, has passed away at the age of 86. She was one of the first hosts of the popular program "Time" and contributed significantly to the development of broadcast journalism in the country. Her passing marks the end of an era in Russian television.
Likhitchenko was born and raised in Moscow. She grew up without a father, who went missing during World War II. From a young age, Likhitchenko had a strong passion for acting and eventually attended the Moscow Art Theatre School, where she became classmates with the legendary actor Vladimir Vysotsky. Despite Vysotsky's affection for her, Likhitchenko was in love with someone else and rejected his advances.
During her time as a student, Likhitchenko responded to a television casting call and was accepted into the industry. She began working on the program "Time" when it first aired in 1968 and continued to appear on the show until 1993. After retiring from hosting, Likhitchenko became the director of the announcer department and mentored young broadcasters, including Ekaterina Andreeva.
Azh Likhitchenko will be remembered for her professionalism, charisma, and dedication to her craft. She was a trailblazer in Russian television and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and audiences alike.
