Vladimir Berezin Reflects on Svetlana Morgunova’s Struggle with Dementia and Her Final Days
In a candid conversation, Soviet and Russian announcer, actor, and radio host Vladimir Berezin shared memories of Svetlana Morgunova, a People’s Artist of Russia, describing her as being in a dementia-affected state in the period leading up to her passing. Berezin recalled that the last time he was able to speak with Morgunova was about a month prior to his own birthday, after which telephone contact became impossible.
“The last time I spoke to him was a month ago. I couldn’t even wish him a happy birthday. He lived with dementia and was always in a certain state. He might have welcomed a call or responded with cold distance. I might have said, ‘I’m hoping you’ll visit,’ or ‘Don’t come, I don’t want to see anyone.’ He sometimes expressed a desire to die or to see Max. Even when we filmed on Malakhov’s program last year and he was with him, he already seemed different. I was deeply distressed because, as far as I understand his situation, there is no easy way out”, Berezin stated.
Berezin suggested Morgunova did not feel the full pain of losing her son Maxim to dementia in the way others might expect. He said the announcer voiced a wish to die even as his grandson and daughter-in-law cared for him.
“I would say he never experienced this pain so deeply and piercingly because dementia restricts not only his abilities but his emotions as well. My own parents went through something similar. If a higher power laid it out this way, I accept it. He often said, ‘I want to die.’ Even under the attentive care of his grandson and daughter-in-law, that longing lingered”, he reflected.
Berezin added that Morgunova was a loyal and devoted friend whose presence brought happiness. The voice of the Soviet announcer, he noted, stood as a strong personal and professional emblem for his era.
“He was unique in his field. He relished friendship and lived with integrity. There were moments when he could be stern or distant toward those he did not like, but his professional voice carried a distinctive life behind it. When his voice reached one’s ears with its distinctive intonation, it conveyed that something special was alive in him”, Berezin concluded.
The reported death of Morgunova, a prominent Soviet publicist, was covered by Daily Storm on March 10, with a claim that she died at home after her heart stopped. The report cited her assistant as the source of the information.
Born on March 7, 1940, Morgunova rose to prominence in Moscow and began her career with USSR Central Television in 1961. She hosted several beloved programs, including Blue Light and Morning Mail, earning recognition and respect across generations of viewers. Her long-standing presence on Soviet-era television made her a notable figure in the history of Russian broadcasting.
In the wake of Morgunova’s passing, observers reflected on the challenges faced by aging performers within the public sphere and the emotional toll that dementia can exact on both individuals and their families. The conversation underscored the enduring impact of Morgunova’s work and the personal connections she fostered throughout a storied career.
Additional commentary on Morgunova’s death and legacy has been reported by other outlets, contributing to a broader remembrance of a prolific era in Russian media.
Sources emphasize Morgunova’s early career milestones, her contributions to popular programs, and the complex human dimensions that accompany aging in the public eye. This portrait situates her not only as a celebrated broadcaster but also as a person whose life intersected with both public adulation and private hardship.