Vera Maretskaya is a star of Soviet cinema and one of the leading actresses of the Mossovet Theater. She received nationwide recognition, many awards and titles. A successful career was combined with difficulties in his personal life: arrests of relatives, betrayal and death of those closest to him.
Biography and career
Vera Maretskaya was born in 1906 in a wealthy and friendly family. Childhood in Barvikha near Moscow was quite happy. The father was in charge of the circus buffet, the mother was engaged in the household and raised four children. From a young age, Vera dreamed of an artistic career, but her parents did not approve of such aspirations, suggesting that an intelligent and well-prepared girl should go to university. However, the daughter showed character by independently submitting documents to Vakhtangov's studio.
Maretskaya's choice was successful. After graduation, she quickly began a theatrical career in the studio of Yuri Zavadsky, and she specialized not in heroines, but in sedate matrons and comic old women. Vera received her first small film role in the film "His Call" at the age of 19. The second film, "Cutter from Torzhok", brought fame to the young actress. The role of a cute simpleton did not turn into a role - Maretskaya boldly experimented with types, preferring to portray strong, bright, non-standard women. For three years she played in four films, without stopping active work in the theater.
A successful career brought the actress recognition from the public and colleagues, influence in theatrical and cinematic circles, and a decent income. However, the political cataclysms of the 30s did not pass her by - both brothers of the actress were arrested in 1937. Her intercession did not help - the brothers did not return from imprisonment. Soon the actress's husband fell into disgrace, together with her son she had to leave the capital and perform in Kiev and Rostov. Maretskaya returned to Moscow only for filming. The most notable film of this period was "Member of the Government", which made Vera Petrovna Stalin's favorite actress. Despite the success of the politically verified role, Maretskaya did not stop her creative searches and did not refuse episodes and supporting roles. The audience especially remembered her for the comedy "Wedding". The main role in the film "Rural Teacher" brought fame and truly nationwide love.
During her film career, Maretskaya received three orders, four Stalin prizes, the title of Hero of Socialist Labor and People's Artist of the USSR. At the end of her life, Vera Petrovna almost did not act in films, but she played a lot in the Mossovet theater. The last role was "Strange Miss Savage", each performance ended with a standing ovation from the audience. It is believed that it was because of this role that Maretskaya quarreled with Lyubov Orlova.
Personal life
The first husband of the actress was her teacher and director Yuri Zavadsky. He helped develop Maretskaya's talent, the family was happy for 5 years. A well-established household, an organized life and a common son Zhenya did not help keep Zavadsky - the reason for the breakup was a stormy romance with the ballerina Galina Ulanova. The director was forced to leave the family, but he maintained a warm relationship with his ex-wife and continued to invite her to roles.
Having recovered from her personal tragedy, Vera Petrovna decided to connect her life with the actor Georgy Troitsky. He was inferior to the famous wife in talent and success, but the relationship of the spouses was stable and warm. In a new marriage, the actress gave birth to a daughter, Maria. However, family happiness was short-lived - at the beginning of the war, the husband went to the front, and in 1943 the actress received news of his death.
After the death of her second husband, the actress focused entirely on her career. However, the successful work was interrupted by an unexpected illness. Suffering from constant headaches, Vera Petrovna was in no hurry to see a doctor. When the medical examination did take place, the diagnosis sounded like a verdict - brain cancer in an advanced stage. Maretskaya bravely endured numerous chemotherapy sessions without interrupting her work at the theater. However, the efforts of the doctors were in vain - in August 1978, the People's Artist died.
Vera Petrovna was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery, there are always fresh flowers on her grave. Daughter Maria followed in her mother's footsteps and also became an actress.
