Natalia Koroleva, honored as a People’s Artist of Russia and a revered theater actress and educator, has died at 75. The news came from the press service of the Irkutsk Academic Drama Theatre Okhlopkova, confirming the veteran performer’s passing. The statement described her as the group’s prima and noted the sudden end of her earthly journey, a loss that has stunned colleagues and audiences alike.
The theatre community remembers Koroleva as a woman of extraordinary talent, unmatched sincerity, sharp intelligence, and an outlook that often radiated resilience and hope. Her colleagues say the stage will miss the warmth and capability she brought to every production, and the wider theatre world will feel her absence keenly. The theatre’s message emphasized how profound a loss her departure represents for the artistic family and for the audiences who connected with her performances.
According to the press service, Koroleva passed away before the start of a planned tour on October 3. The cause of death has not been disclosed, leaving fans and peers to grieve privately while honoring her long career and the impact she made on stage and in teaching. Her passing prompts reflections on a life spent shaping scenes, guiding younger actors, and bringing intense, lifelong energy to the craft she loved.
Koroleva became widely recognized for a set of memorable roles that showcased her range. She portrayed Vasilisa in In the Depths, Ustinya Naumovna in Our People – We Will Be Numbered!, Eva in Have Fun, Black Woman, and Jocasta in King Oedipus. In recent years she received the Golden Mask Award, celebrated as one of Russia’s premier theatre honors, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the development of theatre art. The award highlighted not only her onstage mastery but also her influence as a mentor who helped cultivate the next generation of performers.
In a related note, Slovak opera singer Patricia Janečkova died recently after a battle with breast cancer at the age of 25. The tragedy underscored the fragile line between triumph and illness that many artists have faced in their careers, and it has brought renewed attention to the importance of health awareness within the performing arts community. The loss of such a young talent is felt not just in Slovakia but by fans and colleagues worldwide who followed her work.
Earlier reports mention a well-known actor from the television series Santa Barbara who had married a Russian admirer. This personal note adds to a broader sense of interconnected lives in the entertainment world, where artists from different backgrounds cross paths and influence one another through shared experiences and collaborations. Koroleva’s passing, however, remains a defining moment for those who knew her best on stage, in rehearsal, and in the classrooms where she taught with dedication and care.