The light of a star: how his friends remembered Yuri Nikolaev

In the Large Ceremonial Hall at the Troekurovsky cemetery, Yuri Nikolaev's family, friends, colleagues and fans said their last words of gratitude to him for half a century devoted to television. Hundreds of people came to say goodbye to the presenter — among them Konstantin Ernst, Yuri Aksyuta, Valdis Pelsh, Elena Malysheva, Alexander Buinov, Yuri Antonov, as well as Pelageya, whose career began with a victory in Nikolayev's famous program "Morning Star". What they were silent about and talked about at parting – in the Izvestia report.

"How much more could he have done"

An hour before the start of the funeral ceremony, people began to gather at the Troekurovsky cemetery, mostly, at first, journalists and fans of the TV presenter. Someone came specially from Saratov, Voronezh, Irkutsk. One of the participants recalled how he had met Yuri Alexandrovich at a gas station several times, while the other recalled how, as a child, he wrote letters to the Morning Mail program, which Nikolayev had been running for 17 years. Even unfamiliar people perceived him as a close friend: he was so open and intelligent.

Towards one o'clock in the afternoon, friends and colleagues of the TV presenter began to approach the gates of the ceremonial hall. Konstantin Ernst, CEO of Channel One, and Valdis Pelsh were among the first to appear, both carrying bouquets of red roses. Singer Alexander Marshal and Yuri Aksyuta, director of the United Directorate of Music and Entertainment Broadcasting of Channel One, followed, wearing a medical mask and a low—slung cap. None of them said a word to the press, despite persistent questions from journalists about working together.

Exactly at the appointed time, the massive gates swung open and the crowd was invited inside. Almost at the entrance, they were met by Yuri Nikolaev himself. However, this time it was from a vertical screen and with the same radiant smile. Under the image are the years of life: 16.12.1948 – 04.11.2025. There were whispers in the crowd: "Only 76 years old… How much more could he have done."

20 years ago, Nikolayev was diagnosed with cancer. Timely diagnosis and treatment made it possible to achieve remission, but the disease returned and the body could not cope.

"I'm sorry we didn't figure out how to live longer."

Hockey player Vyacheslav Fetisov was friends with him for more than 40 years and considered him a model of courage and elegance.

– He was incredibly stylish. I remember at the training camp we asked to postpone the training if it coincided with his program: we wanted to see what kind of costume he would appear in this time," Fetisov said.

Yuri Nikolaev set off on his last journey in an impeccable dark blue suit and white shirt. "As always— the most beautiful," his widow Eleanor, whom he affectionately called Lala, whispered softly at the coffin.

A massive coffin made of dark wood stood surrounded by white flowers and dozens of funeral wreaths — from Russian President Vladimir Putin, from Channel One, from Russian television, the Breeze club, the Neposedy collective, the Lube group, the Vorobyov family and, of course, from Lyali.

– I met him 39 years ago. Then, having nothing to do with television, I found myself next to Yura on the beach at the Zhemchuzhina Hotel. After 15 minutes, he asked: "Do you know how to water ski? Do you want to learn?" and half an hour later we were riding the waves together. Sometimes he called: "Let's figure something out," and we did. Yuri, I'm sorry that we didn't figure out how to live longer," Konstantin Ernst said, barely holding back tears.

Valdis Pelsh followed. For him, Nikolaev was not only a friend and colleague, but also a boss—although, according to Valdis, he was "lousy.":

– He was the producer of "Guess the Melody" and allowed everyone to do everything, he was friends with everyone. I asked only one thing — to do my job well," said the TV presenter.

Leonid Yarmolnik was friends with Nikolayev for more than 45 years. They often played billiards and talked a lot. The actor admitted that he had never heard any health complaints from a friend. The only thing that could bother him was the lack of his favorite job.

– For the third time, I put cigarettes and a lighter to the coffin. Yura is the only person who hasn't drunk all the coffee and smoked all the cigarettes. He always made me heat the cup before pouring the coffee. I don't know a single person who would drink a drink of such a scorching temperature. I will miss him terribly," said Yarmolnik.

Many recalled that Nikolaev, despite his illness, remained active and cheerful: he played tennis and billiards, went water skiing and downhill skiing, flew an airplane and went to the gym every Sunday.

– I will always be eternally grateful to Yuri Alexandrovich for believing in a little girl from Novosibirsk in 1996. My life would have been different if it wasn't for him. It was an incredible lesson in fairness, honesty and kindness. I didn't think there were real people on TV. I love you very much," Pelageya said, holding back tears with difficulty.

Yuri Nikolaev and his wife Eleonora had no children. But for composer Igor Nikolaev, the TV presenter has become almost a father figure. Despite having the same surname, they were not related, but for many years they jokingly called each other "daddy and son."

– He wanted to have a son like that, and I wanted a dad like that. He hasn't recorded many songs as a singer, but I'm proud that one of them is my composition "Yuri Island". It contains everything about him: about fate, struggle, character. It was unforgettable," Igor Nikolaev said.

At the end of the ceremony, the coffin with the body of the TV presenter was carried out to the applause of the audience. Yuri Nikolaev was buried at the Troekurovsky cemetery, next to actress Zinaida Kiriyenko and singer Vyacheslav Dobrynin.