The singer's repertoire consists of more than five hundred songs performed in different languages. The fact that the song knows no bounds was proved by Sofia Rotaru. The nationality of the performer does not matter to fans of her work. The career of the singer is marked by all-Union and international success. The titles "Queen of the Russian stage", "Golden Voice of Ukraine" belong to her rightfully.
A family
Singer Rotaru Sofia Mikhailovna hails from a simple, poor, large family. She was born on 08/07/1947 in the Chernivtsi region in the village. Marshinets. In addition to Sofia, the family had five more children: brothers - Eugene and Anatoly, sisters - Zinaida, Lydia and Aurelia.
Sophia Rotaru's parents - people from the song land, where no holiday or feast could do without music, had clear, sonorous voices. This was noted by everyone around. Mikhail Fedorovich, the father of the singer (1918–2004), after participating in the Great Patriotic War, was the foreman in the vineyards, his mother, Alexandra Ivanovna (1920–1997), worked in the field, traded in the market, so from childhood she was helping her mother au pair, substituted for trade.
All children inherited musical abilities from their parents. Zinaida, the elder sister, was ill with typhus in infancy, lost her sight, but at the same time she had exceptional hearing and vocal abilities. It was from her early childhood that Sofia studied singing.
Anatoly is a successful entrepreneur, Eugene is a bass player, vocalist, also connected his career with musical art. After graduating from the department of "music and singing" at the Nikolaev Pedagogical Institute, in the late 70's. becomes a member of the Moldavian VIA "Horizon". Sister Lydia, after graduating from medical school, soloed in amateur performances, then was invited to the Cheremosh ensemble, created at the Chernivtsi Philharmonic, where they sang a duet with Aurelia. In this composition, the team toured throughout the Union and lasted about 10 years. After which Aurelia got married, moved to Kiev, temporarily left the stage, Lydia continued her career along with her brother Eugene, performing melodies in the Italian style.
In the late 80s, “Cheremosh” accompanied Sofia Rotaru in concert programs. For many years their kinship cooperation continued, then Lydia gave birth to a daughter, left the stage, Eugene preferred farming. After some time, Aurelia creates VIA Kontakt and performs in Ukraine, in the 90s. toured with Sofia, performing his songs between the departments.
Origin of the surname
Sofia Mikhailovna has ethnic Moldovan roots and Ukrainian citizenship. In Soviet times, for the Rotaru family, nationality did not matter. After all, then both Ukraine and Moldova were the territory of a single state.
Initially, until 1940, the village of Marsintsy - where Sofia Rotaru was born, was part of Romania, in the post-war period the territory was annexed to Ukraine. It is this fact that affected the spelling of the artist’s name. To the Romanian sound and writing Rotar (rotar - chariot), a soft sign - Rotar was first added to the Ukrainian style, and then, on the advice of Edita Pieha, the surname took a more melodic sound, with the letter in the Moldavian fret and the letter "u" at the end - Rotaru . For example, in the film "Chervona Ruta" with her participation in the credits you can see the spelling - Rotar.
Childhood
From the first grade, Sofia began to show her vocal abilities. She soloed in the school, church choir, for which she almost lost the title of pioneer. She participated in amateur performances, a drama club, took lessons on playing domra, button accordion.
In addition to her creative talent, Sofia was very athletic and involved in athletics. Champion of the school, winner of city Olympiads, regional Spartakiad in running discipline at 800 and 100 m.
Education and the beginning of the career
The road to the big world of vocal art began in 1962, together with a victory in the regional amateur competition, after which it automatically, as a winner, got to the regional show in Chernivtsi. 1963 brought the artist a diploma of the winner of the 1st degree and a chance to perform at the Republican Talent Festival in Kiev and, for the first time stepping on the stage of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses in 1964, she conquered her with the title of winner.
Meanwhile, having graduated from the school in the same 1964, she entered the choral conducting department at the music school in Chernivtsi, since there was no vocal faculty. After a series of successes, the photo of the young artist in 1965 appeared on the cover of the journal Ukraine. It was this photograph that determined the future of her personal life. Anatoly Evdokimenko - a fellow countryman Sofia (future husband) served in the army in the Ural city of Nizhny Tagil when he saw the magazine. He fell in love with a beautiful young artist at first sight, firmly decided to find and conquer the girl.
A student of the Chernivtsi University, a trumpeter, having returned from the army, created a student variety orchestra, met Sofia and realized that she could win her heart only with the help of music. He initiated the appearance in the orchestra of a soloist. It was accompanied by a pop orchestra that Sofia Rotaru sent to the capital of Bulgaria for the Ninth World Folk Festival of Students and Youth. Having performed three songs in Moldavian, Ukrainian and Russian languages, she became a laureate and winner of a gold medal. The audience warmly received the performer, showering her with bouquets of roses. Newspaper headlines dazzled:
21-year-old Sofia conquered Sofia! Sofia Flowers for Sofia!
And the great L. Zykina - chairman of the jury of the festival - noted:
This is a singer with a great future!
After graduating from music school, Rotaru becomes a teacher of solfeggio and music theory. From this moment begins the countdown of professional musical activity. In the performing arts, the singer collaborates with V. Gromtsev, L. Dutkovsky, composer V. Ivasyuk, with whom a cycle of song compositions of the 60–70s based on folklore, the use of instruments and modern arrangements was later created.
As a choral conductor, in 1974, Sofia graduated from the GII them. G. Musical in Chisinau (now the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts).
Personal life
Having fallen in love with his chosen one from the photo, Anatoly Evdokimenko (January 20, 1942) found, managed to arrange, subjugate, become the husband of Sofia Mikhailovna. The young people played a wedding on 09/22/1968, after 2 years - 08/24/1970 - a son was born - Ruslan - an exact copy of his father. The happy dad met his wife from the hospital with an orchestra, all the way to the house he danced with an heir in his arms. It was not only a happy marriage, full of love, understanding, consent, but also a successful creative union.
In 2002, Anatoly Evdokimenko - People's Artist of Ukraine - died prematurely, having died from a stroke. The singer was able to survive the loss, cope with grief with the help of her relatives, son, grandchildren. Ruslan Anatolyevich Evdokimenko - concert producer of his star mother, daughter-in-law Svetlana - personal stylist, creative director of the artist.
Granddaughter Sonya (May 30, 2001) is a young model business star, graduated from Kiev, in 2017 she entered a private English school in London, is engaged in vocals. Grandson Anatoly (03/23/1994) graduated from the Central College of Arts. St. Mark of London, is engaged in photography, mastering graphic design, the profession of music producer.
The singer’s family is firmly established in England, so many fans often ask the question: “Where does Sofia Rotaru live now?” Officially, she lives in Ukraine, has real estate in the Crimea, and travels a lot. She is the mistress of the so-called "gingerbread house" in the village of Nikita a few kilometers from Yalta next to the famous botanical garden. In the center of Yalta, on the waterfront, is located "Villa Sofia" - a hotel that also belongs to the star. Perhaps, due to the current political situation, Rotaru, whose nationality is Ukrainian, now rarely appears on Crimean territory.
In the center of Kiev, next to St. Sophia Cathedral, the stage performer has a 4-room apartment. According to Sofia Mikhailovna, it is extremely rare there, this is the place where concert dresses and dresses are stored. A permanent residence was a suburban manor 22 km from Kiev in Koncha-Zaspa. A huge cottage, hidden from prying eyes, surrounded by coniferous forest, is located in the village of Pyatikhatki.
Income and business
Rotaru is included in the so-called Forbes list of Ukraine, TOP-25 of the most popular expensive Ukrainian stars. Every year she officially declares an impressive amount of income. Owns the Villa Sofia boutique hotel, which, according to rough estimates, brings about 5 million rubles annually. Income from other investments and investments is estimated at 2 million rubles per year.
Journalists note that the income from concerts and tours has recently declined significantly. About 10 years ago, the work brought the singer about $ 5 million annually, now the amount has decreased significantly. Perhaps, based on her personal or political considerations, the artist completely refused to perform in Russia, which affected the income level. Despite the fact that a Russian passport was offered to her by a representative of the Russian government, she correctly chose not to accept it.
Sofia spends her financial resources on her family, grandchildren, traveling, overseas shopping, health and beauty treatments. The singer transfers her pension transfers to a charity fund.
Musical creativity and cinema
Sofia Rotaru performed on many stages of the USSR, Russia. Accompanied by the Chervona Ruta ensemble, she toured all over the country, success everywhere accompanied her. After graduating from college, having “conquered” Bulgaria in 1972, Rotaru goes on a music tour in Poland, in 1973 he won the prize of the Golden Orpheus competition.
Since the 70s. Sophia Rotaru’s songs, created together with the best poets and composers of the country, are constantly becoming laureates of “Songs of the Year”. 1974 brought victory at the International Song Festival in Sopot. A year later, the singer received the title of People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR, laureate of the LKSMU Prize. N. Ostrovsky, this year began the countdown of participation in the annual Blue Lights. The end of the 70s was marked by successful cooperation with the Munich Ariola recording studio, recording a disc, releasing several records by the music company Melody. Touring Europe was a resounding success.
The 80s in the work of the singer:
- 1980 - Award at the Tokyo International Competition;
- 1983 - a concert tour in Canada, the release of an album in Toronto, after which Rotaru and her group became banned for 5 years;
- People's Artist of Moldova - 1983;
- the prize from the “Melody” - “Golden Disc” - 1985, the Order of Friendship of Peoples;
- 1988 - title of People's Artist of the USSR.
Constant participation in music programs, annual awards "Song of the Year", an active concert, touring life brought the artist to a high level of popularity, brought national recognition.
The era of the 90s:
- Concerts in hot spots.
- Long-term cooperation with A. Tokhov’s ballet.
- 1991 - a concert program dedicated to the 20th anniversary of creative activity.
- "Song of the Year", "Blue Light", touring Europe, USA.
- 1996 - Honorary insignia of the President of Ukraine. The title of "Best Pop Singer 1996", a prize to them. K. Shulzhenko.
- 1997 - Rotaru is recognized as an honorary citizen of the Republic of Crimea, winner of the prize of the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma, holder of the Order of the Republic of Moldova.
- CD release on Extraphone, Star Records.
- 1999 - the best performer of Ukraine, the award "For Contribution to the Development of Domestic Pop Music", the Order of Princess Olga of the 3rd degree, the title of "Person of the Year".
The period of the 2000s, today:
- “A Man of the Twentieth Century”, “The Golden Voice of Ukraine”, laureate of “Prometheus-Prestige”, “Best Ukrainian pop singer of the twentieth century”, “Woman of the Year”, laureate of “Ovation” - 2000
- "Star of Sofia Rotaru" on the avenue of stars of Ukraine; title "Hero of Ukraine".
- 2002 - Order of Honor of the Russian Federation.
- Named star in the alley in front of the concert hall "Russia", Moscow.
- Album dedicated to the "One" (in memory of her husband) - 2004
- Concerts and tours abroad.
- Anniversary concert in honor of the 60th anniversary, Order of Ukraine "For Merit", II degree - 2007
- Anniversary tour of Russia - 2008, 2011 - concerts dedicated to the 40th anniversary of creativity;
- Records of albums, remakes, participation in "Song of the Year", "Golden Gramophone".
- 2017 - anniversary concerts and tours.
For the entire period of creativity, Sofia Rotaru set not only a song record, but also participated in a huge number of musical, documentary, and feature films. For the first time on television, she appeared in the film of R. Alekseev "Chervona Ruta". Among the most famous tapes:
- "Soul";
- "Where are you, love?";
- "Music Detective";
- "Nightingale from the village of Marshyntsi";
- "Ten years later. Chervona Ruta";
- "Caravan of love";
- "10 songs about Moscow";
- "One day by the sea";
- "Field War Romance";
- "Goldfish" and others.
Politics
In the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary elections, she ran for MP from the Lytvyn Bloc, but the bloc did not get the required number of votes. After the annexation of Crimean territory to Russia in 2014, she renounced Russian citizenship. Sophia Rotaru, whose nationality is Ukrainian, referred to the fact that she has a Kiev registration and a Russian passport is not allowed under the law of Ukraine.
After the introduction of martial law in Ukraine in November 2018, the singer refused any performances on the territory of Russia, explaining this with the desire to protect her loved ones from all kinds of political provocations.
Actress, singer, people's artist, choir conductor, dancer, winner of honorary awards, state awards, entrepreneur, philanthropist, great cultural and art figure, an amazing woman - all this is about Sofia Rotaru. When she goes to the stage, a bewitching voice submits, penetrates into the depths of her soul. She tried to convey sincerity, gratitude, the joy of communicating with her audience throughout her career, and convey it to everyone in a musical and poetic language.