On REN TV, Svetlana Druzhinina addressed recent reports about her hospitalization, making it clear that the stories were unfounded. She smiled at the rumor mill and said bluntly that she would outlive the skeptics, then added that she plans to keep living with energy and purpose. “I will outlive all of you”, she quipped with a light laugh, and then promised that life would continue with bright moments, noting that she remains active because she is sporty and devoted to her faith. “We’ll live happily ever after”, she added, signaling that her spirit remains unshaken despite age.
At eighty-eight, Druzhinina has long been celebrated as a People’s Artist of Russia. She urged people not to believe the illness reports, describing the rumors as exaggerated. She explained that her longevity comes from staying physically fit and nurturing a steady spiritual life. She is not focused on the noise around her health, but on continuing to share work that resonates with audiences for years to come.
Media coverage in the past had claimed that Druzhinina was hospitalized and battling cancer for years. The filmmaker never confirmed those claims and has repeatedly dismissed them as rumors aimed at sensational headlines rather than an accurate picture of her health.
Her film career began with an early performance as the telephone operator Anfisa in Yuri Chulyukin’s Girls, which helped establish her as a talented actress. Later she transitioned behind the camera and directed several acclaimed films, including Midshipmen, forward!, Vivat, midshipmen!, and Midshipmen-3, cementing her place in Soviet and Russian cinema.
In October she had already refuted reports that her health was deteriorating, insisting that she felt strong and continued to work with energy and focus. Her public appearances and interviews underscored a consistent message: age does not dictate what she can achieve on screen and behind it.
Earlier, Druzhinina presented her new project Military Men in a European country, underscoring her ongoing influence and international reach. The news highlighted her ability to connect with audiences beyond national borders while continuing to push for ambitious storytelling grounded in Russian history and contemporary life.