The captain of a long voyage: in Moscow they said goodbye to Bedros Kirkorov

In Moscow, on March 21, they said goodbye to Bedros Kirkorov. Philip Kirkorov's father died on March 18 at the age of 92. The funeral service took place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The People's Artist of Russia was buried at the Troekurovsky cemetery next to other cultural figures: Valentin Yudashkin, Vyacheslav Dobrynin, Boris Klyuev. For more information, see the Izvestia report, which joined the procession.

"I'm not a child anymore..."

Philip Kirkorov learned that his father had passed away while abroad. The cause of Bedros Kirkorov's death was cardiac arrest. He was 92 years old.

"I'm not a child anymore. Today, on March 18, 2025, at 3:37 p.m., my dad, People's Artist of Russia Bedros Kirkorov, passed away, but you will never leave your heart," Philip Kirkorov wrote on his social media page at the time.

He took over the funeral arrangements. On the morning of March 21, a van with white roses arrived at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to decorate the candlesticks in the lower church, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. They were preparing for a private funeral service there. The family decided not to allow the press and fans to attend the sacrament. Philip Kirkorov appeared at the ceremony with his children Martin and Alla Victoria.

— I was at the concert when my mother died, and now everything has happened again, — said Philip Kirkorov. — Of course, it knocked me out, but... show must go on, as they say. I'm a professional. It haunts me through life. When my mother was buried, I flew to Israel on the same day. I had a concert in Jerusalem. It's a very symbolic place. I sang "Bunny", pleased the people, and after the concert I was overwhelmed. That's the artist's share. We leave all this outside the stage, the viewer should not suspect anything. It was the same this time. Of course, I immediately flew to Moscow. I interrupted filming. Unfortunately, such sad news… But 92 years is a long time, he lived with dignity and beauty. But I'm not a child anymore, now I'm in charge of the family.

Despite his advanced age, Bedros Kirkorov was active in public life until the last moment, organizing children's festivals and engaged in patriotic education.

"He was conscious until the last few minutes, but at some point he just got tired of fighting and quietly left," Philip said.

At the funeral service, Bedros' granddaughter Alla Victoria could not hold back her tears. Her brother Martin held on.

"He confessed that his legs couldn't walk at all"

Numerous family friends, including artists, politicians, and athletes, came to support the family and escort Kirkorov Sr.

"Bedros Kirkorov has done a lot to bring our peoples, Russia and Bulgaria, closer together," said legendary hockey player Vladislav Tretyak in an interview with Izvestia. — People's Artist, what else can I say. We've known each other for many years. Kind, educated, pleasant to talk to — a good person.

Kirkorov received the title of National Bedros in 2012. And long before that, in 1992, he became the first foreign performer to receive the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.

— It's hard for me to imagine that he's gone. He always came in a white tunic and a cap on his head. He was such a lively man, no matter how strange it may sound today. Any death is unexpected, and when loved ones leave, it's always a tragedy. We're worried, that's why I'm here," Alexander Buinov said.

Relatives remembered Bedros Kirkorov as a sympathetic person, always ready to come to the rescue.

— We once sat with him at an event dedicated to Victory Day in the editorial office of the Izvestia newspaper. I wanted to pay for the drinks, but I had to go to the ATM to withdraw money. Then Bedros put 20 thousand in my pocket so that I wouldn't worry. He was a very kind man. We talked with him about two weeks ago. He confessed that his legs couldn't walk at all," shared Kirkorov's friend, vice-president of the Union of Armenians of Russia, Professor German Ananyants.

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Bedros surrounded not only those he knew personally with his attention and care. Anita Tsoi remembered how he once helped her mother-in-law.

— My mother-in-law turned 90 years old, and she was in a complete trance: "Life is over. It couldn't be further. I would like to get away from these health problems as soon as possible." And Bedros said, "Give me her phone, I'll call you." He motivated her so much that she took sticks for Nordic walking and began to practice every morning. That's such a golden man," Tsoi said.

The ceremony was also attended by Bulgarian Ambassador to Russia Atanas Krystin, ballet dancer Sergei Filin, singers Igor Nadzhiev and Joni, plastic surgeon Timur Khaidarov and his wife, media manager and TV presenter Tina Kandelaki, Anatoly Alyoshin, singers Stas Kostyushkin and Stas Mikhailov, composer Igor Krutoy.

— When parents leave, no matter what age it happens, it hurts, — said Igor Krutoy. — I buried my father at 53. Bedros lived a beautiful life, but it's still a tragedy for any child. There's a feeling when your parents leave that you're next.

He laid down his life to bring nations closer together

After the funeral service, the coffin with the body was loaded into a hearse, and the procession went to the Troekurovskoye cemetery. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of Russia, and Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, came there to say goodbye to the People's Artist.

—He laid down his life to bring the peoples of our country closer together, so that it would be a single life, a single destiny," Maria Zakharova said. — He defended the monument "Alyosha" in Plovdiv.

Artists also came to support the family: Grigory Leps, Valeria and Joseph Prigozhin, Vlad Topalov, Angelica Agurbash, Ekaterina Strizhenova, Elena Vorobey, Igor Gulyaev, Sergey Gorok, DJ Katya Guseva. After saying goodbye, the coffin was buried on the alley of artists. Bedros Kirkorov was laid to rest next to the People's Artist of Russia, fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin, not far from the graves of People's artists Vyacheslav Dobrynin and Boris Klyuev.