Putin expressed condolences over the death of Raisa Maximova

Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 14 expressed condolences over the death of People's Artist of the RSFSR, theater and cinema actress Raisa Maximova.

"Please accept deep condolences on the death of Raisa Viktorovna Maximova. People's actress of Russia Raisa Maximova devoted herself to selfless service to art, for years of creative activity wrote unforgettable pages in the history of Moscow art theater and cinema, rightfully found a professional calling and sincere love of the audience. The good memory of Raisa Maximova will forever remain in the hearts of relatives, friends and all admirers of her original talent," reads the telegram of the head of state, which was read out during the farewell ceremony.

Also, deep condolences and words of sympathy to the family and friends of the artist were expressed by Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin. He called Raisa Maximova an outstanding, bright, talented and charming actress, and her passing - a great loss for Russian culture.

"In Raisa Viktorovna organically combined dramatic gift and mastery of reincarnation, which allowed to play many memorable roles on stage and in the movies. Creating diverse images, she was able to accurately convey the feelings of their heroines, to reveal the depth of their character. <...> Raisa Viktorovna was an example of dedication to the profession, <...> uncommon, open, generous person. This is how she will remain in the memory of all who knew and appreciated her", - says the telegram published on the website of the Government of the Russian Federation.

Raisa Maximova died on December 11 at the age of 95.

Raisa Maximova was born in Saratov in 1929. In 1946, she graduated from the Saratov Theater School and until 1952 played on the stage of the Saratov TYUZ. In 1956, she graduated from the Moscow Art Theatre Studio School and was accepted into the theater troupe. Her fellow students were such actors as Oleg Basilashvili, Tatiana Doronina, Mikhail Kozakov, Yevgeny Yevstigneyev, Vladimir Sergachev.

In 1990 she received the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR, later she was awarded the Order of Friendship (1998), the Order of Honor (2005), "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree (2009), Alexander Nevsky (2020). She was honored with the Certificate of Honor of the President of the Russian Federation (2014).

Actress Raisa Maximova is known for her roles in the plays "North Wind", "The Star of Your Period", "Blue Bird", "At the Bottom", "The Last", "Old New Year", "Three Sisters", "Duck Hunt", "Pearly Zinaida", "Tartuffe". In addition, she starred in the films "Widows", "The Idiot", "Listen to whether it's raining", "My Fate", as well as in the series "Law and Order".