The sad story of Soviet Audrey Hepburn. This is what the refusal of love affairs with USSR officials turned out to be for the young fashion model Leka Mironova biography personal life
The cult figure in the world of Soviet fashion, who has long since crossed the seventy-year mark, still takes part in shows of new collections. A woman with a very difficult fate radiates optimism and enjoys every day. The dream of many men is lonely and keeps the memory of their reverent love all their lives.
Broken childhood dreams
In Frunze, in a family of descendants of nobles, Leka Mironova was born (the date of birth is hidden by the model, only the year when this significant event took place is known - 1940). She inherited a beautiful voice from her parents, and the girl dreamed of becoming an opera singer. However, in her youth she damaged her ligaments and could no longer sing.
After school, she plans to study to become an architect, but the onset of vision problems put an end to this dream. She enters the theater and technical art school, however, she cannot paint from life due to severe myopia.
Carier start
Success came to the tall and slender brunette from where no one expected it. One day, together with her friend, Leka goes to the city of Babushkin, to a garment factory, where the young fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev saw the beauty. Having assessed the external characteristics of the 21-year-old girl, he invites her to become a fashion model, and the next day she begins working together with the maestro, about whom Mironova speaks incredibly warmly.
A year later, Leka, who had become famous, was invited to work by the All-Union House of Models, and Zaitsev followed his favorite model there.
Best fashion model
The biography of Leka Mironova (according to her passport - Leocadia), who never considered herself a beauty, is full of achievements and career successes. The profession of a fashion model in the USSR was not prestigious, and only a few girls achieved heights in their chosen field. And getting into the fashion world in those days was not considered a great success. The requirements for female employees were different from modern ones: height, age and build were unimportant, because it was necessary to show that any woman can be beautiful.
Leka manages to do the impossible - in 1967 she was recognized as the best fashion model of the USSR, and Western designers admire the way the Soviet Audrey Hepburn looks (Mironova looked very similar to the Hollywood actress).
If it weren’t for Zaitsev, who gave her a start in the world of fashion, no one knows how the fate of the beautiful girl would have turned out.
The meeting that changed my whole life
A few years later, Leka Mironova travels to Latvia, where a congress of fashion designers is taking place. This was her first trip outside of Moscow, which turned into a resounding success for the star. It was there that the fashion model met the love of her life - photographer Antanas. A girl falls in love for the first time in her life and immediately understands that the handsome young man is the very prince she dreamed of. The happy lovers holding hands did not notice anyone around and thought that it would always be like this.
Serious problems
The USSR had tense relations with Latvia, and awakened nationalists from neighboring countries persecuted those who met with Russians. Antanas begins to have big problems: the young man is threatened with death. The frightened star of the Soviet catwalk tries to find her lover, who has won prizes at young photographer competitions, a job in Moscow, but it was all in vain. An experienced professional is offered only to print cards for documents, but he needed to improve his talent.
Having learned about threats to Antanas's family, Leka Mironova understands that she needs to let go of the one she loves more than anyone in the world. To save her lover's life, she selflessly renounces him.
One love for life
Later, the woman found out that her loved one tried to commit suicide, but nothing could be changed. There was no other man in the successful model’s life; she couldn’t imagine how she could fall in love with the same intensity again.
Fifty years have passed since their first meeting, but she still keeps a photograph of them together. Leka Mironova answers all questions about loneliness that she is comfortable in this state and is happy in her own way.
By the way, the personal life of her lover from Lithuania did not work out either. The photographer could not forget the brown eyes in which he was drowning. A few years ago he died in a car accident.
Travel restricted model
To forget, the favorite fashion designer Zaitsev travels a lot around the Union, giving viewers beauty and unspent love. The best models, including Leka, are invited by foreign companies, offering lucrative contracts. One hour of modeling cost about two thousand dollars, while in her homeland the girl was paid 76 rubles a month.
Mironova’s problem was that she was not allowed to go abroad. The origins failed - a repressed father, declared an enemy of the people, and a noblewoman mother. Even her beloved couturier could not help her, since he himself was not allowed to travel abroad.
Fame abroad
But despite this, the Soviet model was also known abroad. A film was shown in America that told foreign viewers about the lives of three famous stars of the Soviet Union, among whom was the charming Leka. Canadian directors also made a film about her.
After filming, the model began to have big problems. The intelligence services called for interrogations, asking about the true goals of working with foreigners.
Persecution of a high-ranking official
The sophisticated fashion model Leka Mironova has always enjoyed success with men. She hated selling her body for a brilliant career, as her colleagues did. Leka begins to be pursued by an influential party official who dreams of a beautiful toy. Having received a decisive rebuff, a person with a small soul begins to take revenge. They even hint at the possibility of an accident, and she leaves the house only accompanied by her mother.
The model has only one way out of the humiliating situation - she writes a statement about her forced resignation, without hiding the true reason. She was the first to openly talk about the harassment of party bosses and talk about the crippled fates of young girls who got into this business.
Persona non grata
The star of the Soviet catwalk becomes overnight. They stop inviting her to filming and shows, and erase all the television programs in which Leka Mironova participated. The diva, who was unemployed, was threatened with imprisonment for parasitism and evicted from the capital. But she did not break and did not betray herself, her life principles and her love, the memory of which lives in her heart. Mironova did not want to ask the famous fashion designer, who gave her a start in life, to intervene in her problems, considering that she did not have such a right.
After much ordeal, she got a job at the Model House in Khimki, where she worked for more than 20 years.
Always go forward
A beautiful-looking fashion model lives on the very outskirts of Moscow, receives a modest pension, and Vyacheslav Zaitsev sometimes invites his muse, with whom they went through a difficult path to fame, to work as a model at his shows. The audience applauds the beautifully aging fashion model, who has not undergone a single plastic surgery. Mironova is happy that she inspires other women to take care of themselves even in old age.
The respectable star admits that even on the most difficult days she smiles, without showing how bad she feels. Always keep your back and go only forward, no matter what happens, is her motto. She is not ashamed of a single action in her life.
The profession of a fashion model in the USSR was not prestigious and low-paid, but even then some girls achieved success in this field. Now they would call her a top model, but then she was one of the most famous Soviet fashion models. Leka Mironova she could have earned much more than the official salary - 76 rubles - if she had agreed to the offer to take part in a candid photo shoot and be more favorable to one of the members of the Central Committee. But the girl refused, for which she had to pay.
Leka (Leocadia) Mironova never dreamed of becoming a fashion model. She came into the House of Models on Kuznetsky Most by chance, for company with a friend. A young man approached her and asked: “Don’t you want to be a model?” This person turned out to be Vyacheslav Zaitsev, and this meeting became decisive for Leka.
The requirements for fashion models were significantly different from modern ones. Leka Mironova recalls: “Many were short. For example, I am compared to current models of average height. There were models even wearing size 56. It often happened: two slender girls were walking down the catwalk, and between them was a plump, beautiful lady. The age of the employees also varied - from 17 to 70 years. Because the main task of the profession in our time was to show that any woman, of any weight category and of any age, can look beautiful. By the way, getting into the fashion world was not considered such a success - just an ordinary job.”
For a long time, Leka Mironova was not allowed to travel abroad: her father was repressed and declared an enemy of the people, and her mother was of noble origin. But the model was known abroad and was even called the “Soviet Audrey Hepburn” - the resemblance was indeed noticeable.
Leka Mironova was one of the first to openly speak out about the harassment of high-ranking officials. It is for this reason that her professional fate was very difficult. One day Leka was brought to a shoot for a magazine, but they kept silent about the details. As it turned out, it was necessary to film naked - they were preparing something like “Playboy” for the workers of the CPSU Central Committee. The girl responded with a categorical refusal. She was offered to provide escort services, which she also did not agree to. After that, she was not invited to work anywhere for a year and a half.
Mironova still does not name names, citing the fact that the officials were too famous and influential. But she does not hide other details: “During international shows, party members assigned to monitor the moral character of the girls came to the rooms with wine. And when they were turned away, they began to take revenge. They wrote anonymous slander, accusing the girl who resigned of espionage and connections with enemies of the USSR. I myself came under this pressure when I refused one big person, and then sat without work for a year and a half. They threatened to imprison me for parasitism, evict me from Moscow, and even hit me with a stone. But I didn't break. And I’m not ashamed for a second of my life.”
Mironova’s personal life also did not work out - she once met a person with whom a relationship was impossible, but she could not forget him. The Lithuanian Antanas was a member of a nationalist organization, and he was threatened with death for his connections with the Russians. In order not to endanger him, Leka decided to leave herself. After that, she never married and had no children.
Leka Mironova (according to Leocadia's passport), a simple Soviet girl who dreamed of becoming an architect. But in her youth she suddenly began to lose her sight. I had to forget about entering the architectural school. She got into the modeling business quite by accident - in 1962 she came to support her friend at the Model House on Kuznetsky Most. And in the end she ended up on the podium. The future star of Soviet fashion was noticed by a beginner, but by that time already quite famous fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev. “How pretty! Would you like to become a fashion model? - "I? Cute? Do you really think so?" - Leka was confused. “Look in the mirror,” he simply answered.
In a matter of minutes, the designer not only charmed Leka, but also persuaded him to work for him. From that moment on, Leocadia's life completely changed. Shows, outfits... However, we should not forget that the Soviet space was not adapted to high fashion. Firstly, the work of a fashion model was not valued at all as highly as it is now, the fees of the past could not be compared with the present ones - a model received 76 rubles a month, for comparison - the monthly salary of a cleaning lady was 60 rubles, only the cleaning lady had the right to earn extra money, but the fashion model is not. Judging by the stories of the fashion model herself, she and Zaitsev often had to travel off-road to the most remote corners of the Moscow region, with one sole purpose - to bring beauty to the masses. Slava Zaitsev’s faithful muse rushed into any adventure without hesitation, fearing neither difficulties nor gossip. In her youth, Leka managed to get married, although the marriage quickly fell apart - her husband turned out to be overly jealous, then there were endless romances: artists, photographers... But Leka was waiting for the most important meeting. And it happened.
Leki’s first trip outside of Moscow and the region happened only after several years of hard work. True, the beauty did not go so far - to Latvia, which, although it was considered the territory of the USSR, relations with the “Russian part” of the country remained tense. Meanwhile, it was in Latvia that the congress of young fashion designers from the entire Soviet Union took place. Zaitsev, of course, went with his favorite model Leka Mironova.
Contrary to her aspirations, the trip to the Baltics turned out to be not so much a professional success for Leocadia as a personal tragedy, because it was there that the model met her first and only love. His name was Antanas. Walks under the moon, endless conversations, desperate and, of course, very romantic exploits for the sake of a beautiful princess, a sea of flowers - in short, everything is like in a real fairy tale. The romance lasted two years. Alas, one could only dream of a happy development of events. The problem was very everyday, but no less global for that. Beloved Leki, a Latvian, was directly related to the Nazi movement. The rules in the group were strict, so the unlucky lover faced inevitable reprisals for having a relationship with a Russian girl. The guy, however, turned out to be not a timid guy - love seemed to him a very compelling argument for risking his life without hesitation. The fashion model was scared. For the sake of saving her Romeo, Leka renounced him, fully aware that this break would turn not only his life upside down, but also hers. She never got married again - all her life she remained faithful to the only one, who probably forgot about her long ago, got married and is happy in marriage, as every average person should be happy. Leocadia threw herself into her work - she traveled around the Union with shows, giving her beauty, inner light, unspent love to complete strangers. However, as the fashion model herself admits, she did not suffer from the inability to fall in love again, because in her opinion, love, even if unrealized, can work real miracles. Mironova considers her loneliness happy.
She was not allowed to go abroad. When Leka was invited to represent our Motherland at the world parade of top models in London and New York, and then possibly a contract and work at shows abroad, where an hour of a fashion model’s work cost 2 thousand dollars, she was simply not released. How is it possible? Will a Soviet girl work for dollars? This could not be allowed to happen! Leka remained in Russia and continued to work with Zaitsev until life gave her another unpleasant surprise. One of the high-ranking officials of the USSR began to court the sophisticated beauty - this state of affairs was not considered a rarity, and therefore Leocadia’s entourage reacted calmly to the determined authorities. But not Leka herself. Firstly, apparently, Mr. N did not plan to get married, dreaming of acquiring a beautiful mistress, and secondly, the fashion model herself could not allow this, because as we remember, she did not plan to forget her unhappy love.
This practice, unfortunately, was widespread during Soviet times. For example, during international shows, party members assigned to monitor the moral character of the girls came to the rooms with wine. And when they were turned away, they began to take revenge. They wrote anonymous slander, accusing the model, who resigned, of espionage and connections with enemies of the USSR. In the case of Leka, the official, realizing that the girl was not going to give up, gave Mironova an ultimatum: either sex or dismissal. She quit.
Leka Mironova returned to the podium after many years and again to Zaitsev. Today, the former fashion model, star of the Soviet catwalk, lives on the outskirts of Moscow, still alone, receives a modest pension, and from time to time takes part in Zaitsev’s shows. She's still as good as ever. Maybe there are just a little more wrinkles.
The profession of a fashion model in the USSR was not prestigious and low-paid, but even then some girls achieved success in this field.
Now she would be called a top model, but then she was one of the most famous Soviet fashion models. Leka Mironova could have earned much more than the official salary - 76 rubles - if she had agreed to the offer to take part in a candid photo shoot and be more favorable to one of the members of the Central Committee. But the girl refused, for which she had to pay.
Leka Mironova
Leka (Leocadia) Mironova never dreamed of becoming a fashion model. She came into the House of Models on Kuznetsky Most by chance, for company with a friend. A young man approached her and asked: “Don’t you want to be a model?” This person turned out to be Vyacheslav Zaitsev, and this meeting became decisive for Leka.
Leka Mironova collaborated with Vyacheslav Zaitsev for more than 50 years | Photo: marieclaire.ru
The requirements for fashion models were significantly different from modern ones. Leka Mironova recalls: “Many were short. For example, I am compared to current models of average height. There were models even wearing size 56. It often happened: two slender girls were walking down the catwalk, and between them was a plump, beautiful lady. The age of the employees also varied – from 17 to 70 years. Because the main task of the profession in our time was to show that any woman, of any weight category and of any age, can look beautiful. By the way, getting into the fashion world was not considered such a success - just an ordinary job.”
Mannequins getting ready for photography
For a long time, Leka Mironova was not allowed to travel abroad: her father was repressed and declared an enemy of the people, and her mother was of noble origin. But the model was known abroad and was even called the “Soviet Audrey Hepburn” - the resemblance was indeed noticeable.
Soviet Audrey Hepburn - that’s what Leka Mironova was called abroad
Leka Mironova was one of the first to openly speak out about the harassment of high-ranking officials. It is for this reason that her professional fate was very difficult. One day Leka was brought to a shoot for a magazine, but they kept silent about the details. As it turned out, it was necessary to film naked - they were preparing something like “Playboy” for the workers of the CPSU Central Committee. The girl responded with a categorical refusal. She was offered to provide escort services, which she also did not agree to. After that, she was not invited to work anywhere for a year and a half.
Mironova still does not name names, citing the fact that the officials were too famous and influential. But she does not hide other details: “During international shows, party members assigned to monitor the moral character of the girls came to the rooms with wine. And when they were turned away, they began to take revenge. They wrote anonymous slander, accusing the girl who resigned of espionage and connections with enemies of the USSR. I myself came under this pressure when I refused one big person, and then sat without work for a year and a half. They threatened to imprison me for parasitism, evict me from Moscow, and even hit me with a stone. But I didn't break. And I’m not ashamed for a second of my life.”
Leka Mironova and Antanas
Mironova’s personal life also did not work out - she once met a person with whom a relationship was impossible, but she could not forget him. Lithuanian Antanas was a member of a nationalist organization, and he was threatened with death for his connections with the Russians. In order not to endanger him, Leka decided to leave herself. After that, she never married and had no children.
Leka Mironova worked as a model in adulthood
But even at the age of 70, she continued to take care of herself and appeared on the podium several times - their collaboration with Vyacheslav Zaitsev lasted more than 50 years.
Leka Mironova still goes on the podium after 70
One of the most famous Soviet fashion models
Representatives of this profession then often had to face difficulties.
Soviet Audrey Hepburn - that’s what Leka Mironova was called abroad
What did fashion model Leka Mironova pay for refusing escort services and nude filming for the Central Committee?
The profession of a fashion model in the USSR was not prestigious and low-paid, but even then some girls achieved success in this field. Now she would be called a top model, but then she was one of the most famous Soviet fashion models. Leka Mironova could have received much more than the official salary - 76 rubles - if she had agreed to the offer to take part in a candid photo shoot and be more favorable to one of the members of the Central Committee. But the girl refused, for which she had to pay.
Leka Mironova
Leka (Leocadia) Mironova never dreamed of becoming a fashion model. She came into the House of Models on Kuznetsky Most by chance, for company with a friend. A young man approached her and asked: “Don’t you want to be a model?” This person turned out to be Vyacheslav Zaitsev, and this meeting became decisive for Leka.
The requirements for fashion models were significantly different from modern ones. Leka Mironova recalls: “Many were short. For example, I am compared to current models of average height. There were models even wearing size 56. It often happened: two slender girls were walking down the catwalk, and between them was a plump, beautiful lady. The age of the employees also varied - from 17 to 70 years. Because the main task of the profession in our time was to show that any woman, of any weight category and of any age, can look beautiful. By the way, getting into the fashion world was not considered such a success - just an ordinary job.”
Mannequins getting ready for photography
For a long time, Leka Mironova was not allowed to travel abroad: her father was repressed and declared an enemy of the people, and her mother was of noble origin. But the model was known abroad and was even called the “Soviet Audrey Hepburn” - the resemblance was indeed noticeable.
Leka Mironova was one of the first to openly speak out about the harassment of high-ranking officials. It is for this reason that her professional fate was very difficult. One day Leka was brought to a shoot for a magazine, but they kept silent about the details. As it turned out, it was necessary to film naked - they were preparing something like “Playboy” for the workers of the CPSU Central Committee. The girl responded with a categorical refusal. She was offered to provide escort services, which she also did not agree to. After that, she was not invited to work anywhere for a year and a half.
One of the most famous Soviet fashion models
Mironova still does not name names, citing the fact that the officials were too famous and influential. But she does not hide other details: “During international shows, party members assigned to monitor the moral character of the girls came to the rooms with wine. And when they were turned away, they began to take revenge. They wrote anonymous slander, accusing the girl who resigned of espionage and connections with enemies of the USSR. I myself came under this pressure when I refused one big person, and then sat without work for a year and a half. They threatened to imprison me for parasitism, evict me from Moscow, and even hit me with a stone. But I didn't break. And I’m not ashamed for a second of my life.”
Leka Mironova and Antanas
Mironova’s personal life also did not work out - once she met a person with whom a relationship was impossible, but she could not forget him. The Lithuanian Antanas was a member of a nationalist organization, and he was threatened with death for his connections with the Russians. In order not to endanger him, Leka decided to leave herself. After that, she never married and had no children.
Leka Mironova worked as a model in adulthood
But even at the age of 70, she continued to take care of herself and appeared on the podium several times - their collaboration with Vyacheslav Zaitsev lasted more than 50 years.
Leka Mironova still goes on the podium after 70