Lev Zbarsky - biography, photo, personal life, death

Lev Zbarsky is an illustrator and graphic artist who dedicated his life to art.

An unusually charming and witty person, the talented artist was the idol of the bohemian environment of the “golden” Soviet youth.

Childhood and youth

Lev was born in November 1931 and became the first child of Boris Zbarsky and Evgenia Perelman. Mother Evgenia Borisovna met Boris Ilyich thanks to her university friend Lydia Pasternak, sister of the famous poet Boris Pasternak.

Boris Zbarsky, famous father of Lev Zbarsky

In 1928, a girl who grew up in Germany returned to Russia and got a job at a biochemical institute, which was headed by her future husband. Boris Ilyich is the author of the Russian method of producing chloroform, participant in the embalming of the bodies of Vladimir Lenin and the leader of the Bulgarian communists Georgi Dimitrov.

The father gave his son the double name Felix-Lev in memory of the people he most respected - the founder of the Soviet chemical industry Lev Karpov and the first head of the Cheka (predecessor of the NKVD and GPU) Felix Dzerzhinsky.

Lev Zbarsky as a child with his parents and younger brother

There is little information about the early years of Zbarsky’s biography. It is possible that the stamp of secrecy under which the family lived, involved in the secrets of handling the body of the leader of the world proletariat, left its mark. After a while, all sorts of fables began to be composed about the work of Boris Zbarsky, including Sergei Dovlatov and Elena Shchapova, one of the wives of Eduard Limonov.

Before the start of the war, Leva ended up in Tyumen. There, the boy’s artistic talent awoke, and his parents hired an art teacher for their son. Upon returning to Moscow, Lev graduated from school with a silver medal and was educated at the Printing Institute - he became an illustrator and animator.

Lev Zbarsky in his youth

Capital life turned out to be a suitable setting for the representative of the “golden youth”. The artist's undoubted talent and subtle taste, good upbringing and sociability, coupled with the authority of his parents' family, opened the doors to high society for Zbarsky and made him a favorite of bohemia. Women adored a man dressed in expensive foreign suits and looking like Salvador Dali and Belmondo. As the poet Anatoly Naiman wrote:

“In 1972, having success, a workshop in the center of Moscow, a dacha in Serebryany Bor, surrounded by friends, bright people, Lev left for Israel. Just from boredom, from general dullness, from confinement, prohibitions, inaccessibility abroad.”

After 6 years, Zbarsky moved to America, settled in a huge apartment in Manhattan, which also became a workshop. Money for the property was given by an acquaintance from the Jewish emigrant community.

Life in America was difficult. The artist preferred absolute solitude, communicating only with his compatriots, only a few of whom entered his house. Lev did not maintain contact with relatives who remained in the Soviet Union.

Artyom Tkachenko as Lev Zbarsky in the series “Red Queen”

Roman Kaplan, a fellow dissident, translator and literary critic, as well as the owner of the Russian Samovar restaurant, became a close friend. He later called the film “ Red Queen”

"and how the authors presented Zbarsky in the film. The melodrama touches on Lev's relationship with his wife Regina Zbarskaya, starring Artem Tkachenko and Ksenia Lukyanchikova.

The authors insisted that this was not a documentary film, but a work of fiction. Kaplan, by his own admission, did not see it, but claimed that those who watched “The Red Queen” and knew Zbarsky were disgusted by the picture.

What is Lev Zbarsky remembered for?

The Soviet-era artist was known for his vibrant paintings, but he was mostly associated with a womanizer who captured the hearts of many beauties. His victories include fashion model Regina Zbarskaya and actress Lyudmila Maksakova. However, none of the girls could remain a muse for Leo for the rest of his life; he preferred life in another country.

Lev Zbarsky with his parents and brother

Interesting: Biography of Konstantin Bogomolov

Creation

The talented young man was also noted by the teachers of the institute. For his thesis, Zbarsky designed Victor Hugo’s book “Ruy Blas” and a booklet for a theatrical production.

Book by Yuri Olesha, designed by Lev Zbarsky

The illustrations of Yuri Olesha's book brought Lev Zbarsky wide fame. On the cover, the artist depicted a light and transparent bird, as if done with one stroke of a pencil. The drawing was dubbed by contemporaries of the still young, then 25-year-old Lev, the pinnacle of his creativity.

No less delight was caused by the illustrations of Yves Montand’s biography “The Head Is Full of Sun”, works by Arthur Miller and William Saroyan, and a series of books about art and Russian cities. Art critics have noted Zbarsky's works for children's literature publishers. Graphics, caricatures, and the so-called “white” series developed by Lev for the design of books were awarded certificates and prizes at all-Union competitions.

Book by Arthur Miller, designed by Lev Zbarsky

Zbarsky acted as the production designer for the cartoons “Bathhouse,” which criticizes the Soviet bureaucracy, “Mokvichok,” about traffic rule violators, and “Country Orchestra,” about musical instruments that come to life.

In exile, Lev still painted, but was mainly engaged in teaching design and drawing at the New York Fashion Institute of Technology.

Career

Lev Zbarsky began to slowly learn about fine art in Tyumen. He was so good at it that his parents decided to hire a personal teacher. During the war, he received the required training and began to draw so beautifully that his subsequent life was completely connected with art. As for his father, his fame also helped the boy quickly build his career.

Lev Zbarsky's personal life was under scrutiny throughout his entire life. Many condemned him for such a liberated way of life, but subsequently he could not stand the load and went abroad. This decision was very difficult, but still his life abroad turned out much better.

Studying at a printing school in Moscow opened up completely new perspectives and opportunities for him in the fine arts. All subjects were very easy for him, and teachers praised him more than once. Lev Zbarsky is the artist of the illustrations and cover of Olesha's book. The writer was so pleased with the author’s work that he gave him the most positive description. At that time, Zbarsky was only 25 years old. The illustration itself was so serious that many did not understand why it was necessary to make strict pictures for such an interesting book. In fact, the idea came from the author Olesha himself, who worked together with Zbarsky.

Lev Zbarsky in his youth

At the Printing Institute, he became acquainted with the most modern methods of editing illustrations and new equipment. This led to the emergence of completely new ideas and opportunities that even many were not aware of. His illustrations for textbooks and books were so expressive and understandable to the reader that one could simply plunge into the world described in the book.

As for his work as an animator, most of it was political in nature, but he didn’t understand that. His works have always been highly regarded.

Lev was awarded various awards for his services in art; we can say that thanks to his talent he reached such heights.

Many today cannot even find photographs of this man. But you need to understand that he was a fit and slender man who always dressed stylishly. His communication attracted women, and this is how his contemporaries remember him. Of course, Western trends that he followed had such an active influence on him. At first Lev Zbarsky did not have children, but then Maxim appeared, but at the same time they did not have any influence on his biography and personal life. The problem is that after moving abroad, he completely broke off relations with his wife. Subsequently, when Lev died, the son and his children came to the funeral in the United States of America, although they never saw each other.

Puppet cartoons “Bathhouse”, “Moskvichok”, “Country Orchestra” were made by Lev Zbarsky himself. He and his team worked for a long time to create these works. Although many critics traced an anti-Soviet sentiment in these cartoons, Zbarsky himself understood that his task was simply to draw, and not to think. He was the best at it, so it was he who was assigned to perform these tasks. All cartoons received negative criticism, since in the Soviet Union it was not customary to produce such films.

Puppet cartoon “Bath”

Subsequently there were a considerable number of paintings, but the time was approaching, and most of his thoughts were directed to the West. He understood that his talent as a cartoonist and illustrator, artist and restorer would be valued much more there. Here he was pressed on all sides by the legal framework, his wife and child, and he was a man of free flight. One day he decides to simply give up everything and leaves the capital of the USSR. More than 40 years of successful work in the United States lay ahead of him. Acquaintances from Russia often came to see him, whom he met with great pleasure and asked about their homeland. There was no way he was going to return.

Personal life

According to Boris Messerer and Lev’s brother, Ilya, Zbarsky’s first wife was not the “Soviet Sophia Loren”, the famous fashion model and muse of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, Regina Kolesnikova. Lev first married, while a student, to Laura Sahakyan. The girl studied piano at the conservatory and headed the musical department of the Sovremennik Theater. The marriage produced a son, Boris. This is what Nelly Osipova said, who was a student of Boris Zbarsky at the medical institute.

Regina Zbarskaya, first wife of Lev Zbarsky

The actor of this theater, Igor Kvasha, who was friends with Lev, assured that, although the artist was considered a playboy, Zbarsky remained faithful to the women with whom he was close. If you loved, you married, and when the love left, you separated.

Lev met Regina in the early 60s. The woman, surrounded by the attention of the powers that be, dreamed of quiet family happiness and children. But the artist, according to his friends, did not like children. In addition, Zbarsky was afraid that the daily household routine would deprive him of the joys of the sweet life. Leo forced his wife to get rid of the child. The abortion was unsuccessful, and Regina never knew the joy of motherhood.

Marianna Vertinskaya

Zbarsky’s next passion was Marianna Vertinskaya. The beautiful actress was 10 years younger than Regina. The wife was very jealous of Leo, but she could not do anything. The couple maintained a romantic relationship for a year, and then Zbarsky left for Lyudmila Maksakova.

No one in the Zbarsky-Maksakova couple insisted on marriage. According to rumors, Lev always did not have enough money for the state fee, and Lyudmila attributed everything to being busy in the theater and on the set. But when his son Maxim was born, Zbarsky gave the boy his last name. After Lev emigrated to America, the actress, fearing that such a father would ruin Max’s life in the future, changed her last name to Maksakov.

Lyudmila Maksakova, second wife of Lev Zbarsky

According to another version, by changing her last name, Lyudmila freed the artist from paying alimony for 15 years in advance, declaring that Maxim was not Zbarsky’s son.

Maxim did not follow the creative path of his parents and became a businessman in the field of advertising. In 2014, together with his partners, he was accused of particularly large-scale fraud - he defrauded the Federal Ministry of Sports out of tens of millions of rubles, but escaped with house arrest.

Pyotr Maksakov with his wife, Galina Yudashkina

Lev Borisovich had never seen his grandson Peter, son-in-law Valentin Yudashkin, in his life. But the young man and his half-sister Anya managed to go to their grandfather’s funeral. According to information spread on the Internet, a man named Alexey Weintraub, who in emigrant circles was called the son of Zbarsky, who was already born in America, was present at the sad ceremony.

Illness and death

Having contracted lung cancer, Lev Zbarsky, whose biography in our presentation is coming to an end, dies on February 22, 2021 in New York. He lived a long life. He was 84 years old. He is buried in the giant Mount Moriah Jewish Cemetery in New Jersey. His funeral was attended by his sixteen-year-old granddaughter Anna Maksakova and his twenty-five-year-old grandson, who came to his wife Galina, daughter of Valentin Yudashkin, who was preparing for childbirth. The grandchildren never saw their grandfather alive.

The funeral for Lev Zbarsky took place in the “Cigar” hall of the second floor of the “Russian Samovar” restaurant, which he once designed. The words spoken at the wake were warm and sad. Tribute was paid to his talent.

The famous graphic artist Lev Borisovich Zbarsky was born in Moscow on November 12, 1931. The artist's full name is Felix-Lev, and all because the father wanted to name his son in honor of a man whom he respected very much, but could not choose between Felix Dzerzhinsky and Lev Karpov.

Before the outbreak of World War II, the Zbarsky family moved to Tyumen, here little Lev, by decision of his father, began taking individual drawing lessons. After graduating from high school, he entered the Printing Institute to specialize as a graphic artist (book illustrator).

With the help of his famous surname and his talent, Lev Zbarsky quickly gained popularity and respect among Moscow bohemia. His works have received world prizes and awards. Many argued that Zbarsky's illustrations were ahead of their time.

The artist was not distinguished by his attractive appearance, but thanks to his innate charm, upbringing and good taste, he knew how to make a spectacular impression on women like no one else. Lev Borisovich was officially married twice. The first time was with fellow student Laura Sahakyan. To this union a son, Boris, was born. The second time was on the famous Soviet fashion model Regina Kolesnikova. In addition, Zbarsky had 2 high-profile affairs with Marianna Vertinskaya and Lyudmila Maksakova. By the way, the latter gave birth to the artist’s second son, Maxim.

In 1972, Lev Zbarsky emigrated to Israel, from there he moved to the USA, opening his workshop in Manhattan. In 2015, the public learned that the famous artist was seriously ill and was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Lev Zbarsky lived out the last years of his life alone in a hospice in New York. He did not maintain contact with his ex-wives, nor with his children and grandchildren.

On February 22, 2021 he passed away. Lev Zbarsky is buried in the town of Fairview, New Jersey at the Mount Moriah Jewish Cemetery.

Lev Zbarsky is mostly known as the husband of a star Soviet fashion model with a tragic fate (Kolesnikova). Only art critics and biographers remember that he is a talented, recognizable artist.

Death

Lev Zbarsky lived out the last years of his life in a hospice - the artist was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, which later became the cause of death. Lev Borisovich did not have enough money to be treated in private clinics, and his pride did not allow him to seek help. Therefore, the scope of medical services was limited to what was included in the standard insurance package.

Lev Zbarsky in recent years

Lyudmila Maksakova in an interview with Sobesednik said that she met her ex-husband in New York. The conversation between people who loved each other did not work out. Leo didn’t even say that he was sick.

Lev Zbarsky died in February 2021. The artist's grave is located in the Mount Moriah Jewish Cemetery in Fairview, New Jersey.

Childhood

Few photographs or information about his childhood have been preserved from him. Apparently, in his circle it was not customary to remember his young, immature years. It is known that he received a double name in memory of those people whom his father, Boris Zbarsky, a prominent biochemist who took part in the embalming of V.I. Lenin, treated with respect. During the Great Patriotic War, the leader's body in a sarcophagus was allegedly taken to Tyumen. Lenin's brain and heart were preserved separately. Everything was accompanied by Professor Zbarsky. Lev himself, although he apparently knew the details, never discussed these topics. It was in this city that Lev Zbarsky began to draw a little on his own. There they also found an art teacher for him, who gave him lessons throughout the entire period of evacuation.

Career of Regina Zbarskaya (Kolesnikova)

At the age of 17, Regina moved to Moscow and entered VGIK.
She often attended various parties, where she was noticed by Vera Aralova, a famous fashion designer at that time. Regina began to take part in Aralova's shows and became known throughout the world. Regina walked the catwalk for many years, participating in the shows of many famous Soviet designers at that time. Most often, the girl collaborated with Vera Aralova and Vyacheslav Zaitsev. She was the first model in the world to appear on the catwalk wearing boots with a zipper along the entire length of the top. This type of shoe was invented by Aralova, but due to the lack of such a thing as a patent in the modeling business, Vera’s invention was stolen from under her nose.

Vyacheslav Zaitsev suggested that the model get a so-called “pageboy” haircut. Thanks to her new haircut, Regina became the ideal of an “Italian beauty,” and after that Western journalists called the model the “Soviet Sophia Loren.”

Popularity did not take long to arrive - already in the early 60s, Regina became the prima of the Soviet catwalk. Thanks to her excellent command of English and French, the model was included in almost all delegations going to shows abroad. 1961 became the finest hour for the girl. Then Regina went with Vera Aralova to Paris, where she immediately attracted the attention of French fashion designers. Then she met Cardin and Dior. Upon returning to her homeland, the whole fashionable Moscow started talking about Regina - photographs of the girl appeared in Soviet fashion magazines, not a single show of the famous designer was complete without her participation.

Despite her incredible popularity, Regina was not loved among fashion models. Colleagues called the girl the “snow queen” because, as they themselves explained, the beauty’s arrogance. Regina did not try to establish contact with other models and was quite reserved, showing her real self only to her closest people.

The girl was admired by Fidel Castro, Yves Montand, Pierre Cardin and even the brilliant Federico Fellini.

Personal life of Regina Zbarskaya

There are also many rumors surrounding the personal life of the famous model.
According to one version, Regina was married twice, but nothing is known about the girl’s first husband. Regina did not even reveal the name of her first chosen one, since he, according to the model herself, was from the wrong class of society. According to the second version, the first and only husband of the “Soviet Sophia Loren” was the illustrator Lev Zbarsky, famous throughout the Soviet Union, the son of the famous scientist Boris Zbarsky. The whole capital knew Leo not only because of his ingenious creations, but also for his love of wild life. Leo often hosted social parties and was constantly surrounded by women.

They were considered the most beautiful couple - the beautiful Regina, who shone on foreign catwalks, and Leo, who kept up with his famous wife and often visited abroad. Leo even called his wife his muse.

But their marriage was not ideal - soon the flighty Zbrasky started an affair with Marianna Vertinskaya. Regina turned a blind eye to her husband’s infidelities, but an even bigger blow to the couple’s relationship was Regina’s pregnancy; her husband did not want the child, and Zbarskaya had an abortion. She began to suppress her feelings of guilt with antidepressants, and soon her husband left with Lyudmila Maksakova, who gave birth to his son.

As a result, Regina Zbarskaya was admitted to a mental hospital and diagnosed with depression. After leaving the hospital, she returned to work. Zbarskaya had an affair with a Yugoslav journalist, who soon made her famous with his book “One Hundred Nights with Regina Zbarskaya,” which described in detail intimate scenes involving the model. In addition, the book talked about Zbarskaya’s denunciations of other fashion models.

Beautiful women in the life of an artist

And then Lev Borisovich Zbarsky became interested in the beautiful actress Marianna Vertinskaya and left his wife. Marianne was amazing - red hair sparkling in the sun, blue eyes the color of the sky, a strong character that attracted, rather than repelled, people. From the age of seventeen she acted in films. The whole country knew her and her younger sister, as did her father and mother. They spent a whole year together. Later he marries another actress Lyudmila Maksakova. This is where Regina Zbarskaya gets a blow - a son, Maxim, was born in this marriage. But there was no normal life here either. The young couple first lived in the artist’s studio, and when the child was born, Lyudmila Vasilievna moved the baby to her home. The husband did not part with his beloved workshop. Lyudmila had to live in two houses. After the performances, she ran into the workshop to put everything in order, and then rushed to the child. Such a life could not continue for long, and Lyudmila decided to get a divorce. Meanwhile, Regina Zbarskaya died while taking tranquilizers.

Death of Lev Zbarsky

America became the last country in which Lev Zbarsky lived. He had at his disposal a spacious workshop, equipped to his taste, but communicated only with a few friends and compatriots.

It is characteristic that the last years of his life the once famous artist lived in solitude and seclusion. He died at the age of 84 in a hospice alone, without family or friends. However, it is worth noting that his grandchildren Anna and Peter were present at the funeral.

// Photo: Boris Kaufman / RIA Novosti

For the second week in a row, the whole country is watching with bated breath the serial film “The Red Queen,” which tells the story of the tragic fate of Regina Zbarskaya. The role of the fashion model was played by actress Ksenia Lukyanchikova, and her husband was played by Artem Tkachenko. For the young actress, filming the series was very stressful, because this was her film debut, and she had to grasp everything on the fly. To get into the image of a Soviet catwalk star, Ksenia studied volumes of materials in libraries.

“I had to constantly adapt,” the actress said about her heroine in a conversation with reporters. “The one and a half weeks of filming in two abandoned buildings of a real psychiatric hospital were especially intense. At that moment, if it weren’t for my friends, I could have really gone crazy.”

Seventeen-year-old Regina Kolesnikova, the name the young lady bore as a girl, studied at VGIK and went to “bohemian” parties, where Vera Aralova noticed her. The artist and leading specialist of the fashion house on Kuznetsky Most highly appreciated the beauty of the future fashion model and opened the way for her to the podium. So, the life of a simple girl was suddenly illuminated by the spotlights and camera flashes.

The name of Regina Zbarskaya has been on the lips of the most famous designers in the world for a long time. The muse of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, Pierre Cardin and other couturiers graced the covers of popular fashion publications. The dizzying career of a fashion model ended unexpectedly. Regina's personal tragedy was to blame.

The young model attracted the attention of the famous Soviet artist Lev Zbarsky, the son of biochemist Boris Zbarsky. The young man was a member of the creative elite; his works were highly valued by such outstanding personalities as Sergei Dovlatov and Maya Plisetskaya.

In the early sixties, Regina accepted Leo's marriage proposal. The lovers were one of the brightest couples in the capital, many fans followed them. However, behind the elegant facade there was a difficult relationship.

// Photo: Still from the film / Press service of Channel One

Zbarsky was a creative person, and his wife was his muse. It was difficult for him to imagine her doing small household chores. Therefore, when Regina discovered that she was pregnant, Leo was very upset. Afraid of losing her husband, the model took a desperate step - she had an abortion.

Red Queens: the fate of the brightest Soviet fashion models

Unfortunately, this decision did not save the marriage of the catwalk star and the artist. Soon Zbarsky became interested in another sultry beauty, Marianna Vertinskaya, and then completely went to Lyudmila Maksakova. Regina tried to numb her pain with antidepressants. But when the model found out that a son was born in Lev’s new family, it finished off her already shaken psyche.

A psychiatric hospital ward took the place of social events, photo shoots and fashion shows. Doctors helped Regina cope with depression. Among other things, political accusations rained down on Zbarskaya. It was rumored that she was connected with the KGB and carried out espionage activities.

// Photo: Press service of Channel One

Regina’s appearance has undergone changes - the former beauty and “Soviet Sophia Loren,” as she was called in the West, has gained considerable weight, and endless depression has driven her to thoughts of suicide. On the third attempt, at the age of 51, the model managed to take a terrible step.

It is noteworthy that Lev Zbarsky, never becoming an exemplary family man, emigrated to Israel, from where he moved to the United States. Lyudmila Maksakova divorced her ex-husband more than 40 years ago, since then he has not communicated with his family. The artist ended his days completely alone in one of the hospices in New York. In February 2021, he died of lung cancer. Zbarsky’s grandson Peter attended his grandfather’s funeral, where he saw him for the first and last time.

“Lev Borisovich Zbarsky passed away on February 22. — Peter’s mother, Ekaterina Dobrynina, told StarHit. — Petya and Anya are now in New York, and it so happens that their grandfather died there at the same time. Although the children never saw Lev Borisovich during his lifetime, they went to the funeral. Petya’s grandfather was Jewish, so the funeral ceremony was held according to Jewish traditions.”

// Photo: Natalia Krasilnikova/PhotoXPress.ru

Lev Zbarsky, whose biography and personal life we ​​will look at in the article, was a very famous Soviet animator, engaged in the development and creation of cartoons. A huge number of people knew about his talent and existence. Lev Zbarsky himself paid active attention to his creativity and more than once his talent was appreciated with various awards. For every person who knows the illustrator, he remains a symbol of quality creativity that will be remembered for many years. The personal life and biography of Lev Zbarsky is always supplemented by only one photograph. He always remained somehow liberated and free, completely different from a Soviet person.

Father Boris Zbarsky was a famous biochemist. His main work, for which he received universal fame, was the embalming of Lenin. As for Lev’s childhood, almost nothing is known about him. At that time, not many wanted to spread information about themselves, especially when my father took such an important part in working with Lenin’s body. The boy grew up in Tyumen, as the family was forced to move. According to some reports, Lenin's body was transported to this city. The biochemist and Lev’s father himself carefully hid this information. As for the child, he also understood why they moved, but never talked about it.

Lev Zbarsky with his family

Immigration to the USA

The most important decision in the life of Lev Zbarsky was moving abroad. He understood that life in the Soviet Union did not bring him the required pleasure, he needed freedom and it was abroad that all this could be realized. Leaving everything in the USSR, from his car to his workshop, he goes to Israel. There, his acquaintance provides Lev with money, with which he subsequently moves to the USA and opens his workshop there. It is at this moment that the entire biography of Lev Zbarsky ends. What he did in the United States of America is unknown. He lived until 2021, after which he died of lung cancer.

Painting by Lev Zbarsky

According to his close friends with whom he knew in Russia and who came to see him in the USA: He was completely satisfied with his life. He managed to realize those ideas that he constantly dreamed of. A life like in America is not suitable for every person, but Zbarsky, one might say, joined it. This is exactly the country that suited him most. He subsequently became a full-fledged citizen and worked as an illustrator. Zbarsky had his own workshop, almost identical to the Soviet one, but with more modern equipment.

Currently, it is impossible to find the latest photos of Lev Zbarsky or information about his personal life and parts of the biography that he lived in the United States of America. He remained a secretive person, and today his fans know almost nothing about him.

It's sad when people with such talent leave without leaving a significant mark behind them. Currently, Zbarsky's body is buried in New York. Of course, they did not transport him back, since he was already a US citizen. His works evoked affection among Americans. Such a talented man, he amazed them almost every day with new paintings and illustrations from his studio.

The ex-husband of the famous Soviet fashion model, who became the prototype for the main character of the film “The Red Queen,” died in the USA from lung cancer. Lev Zbarsky was 84 years old.

The ex-husband of Regina Zbarskaya, the prototype of the main character of the acclaimed series “The Red Queen,” died in the United States in mid-February 2021. In fact, on the eve of the film's premiere on Russian television screens.

It is not known whether Lev Borisovich managed to watch this picture (obviously, hardly) - it would be interesting to see his opinion on how truthfully the story of their relationship with Regina was depicted in the series, how she coped with her role, appearing in the image of the famous Soviet fashion model. Well, and, of course, did the actor himself play him well?

Red Queen: Lion and Regina

As it became known, Lev Zbarsky died alone and in poverty in one of the American hospices.

Over the past year, he has been battling lung cancer without success. Throughout his life, Zbarsky smoked a lot. Even in archival photos he is with a cigarette.

At the same time, doctors characterize him as a very courageous person who steadfastly endured wild pain.

Lev Zbarsky

The real Lev Zbarsky and Regina Kolesnikova (who later took her husband’s surname) met in the late 50s. Then they became husband and wife.

Their marriage crashed due to the fashion model's pregnancy. She wanted to have children, but Lev insisted on an abortion, which was unsuccessful - she could no longer be a mother.

Because of this, the fashion model began to use antidepressants in excessive quantities, which eventually drove her to a mental hospital and suicide.

And Lev Zbarsky, having abandoned Regina, had affairs with the most beautiful women of the Soviet Union.

He was married to actress Lyudmila Maksakova (she bore him a son), then was in a relationship with Marianna Vertinskaya.

In 72, Lev Borisovich Zbarsky left the USSR, first to Israel, and then to the USA, where he lived until the end of his life.

Felix-Lev Borisovich Zbarsky

(-February 22, New York) - Soviet and American artist. Son of biochemist Boris Zbarsky, brother of biochemist Ilya Zbarsky, first husband of actress Lyudmila Maksakova and fashion model Regina Zbarskaya.