Vladislav Listyev is one of the most famous Russian journalists of the 90s. His contribution to the development of the domestic television industry is invaluable. He became the ideological inspirer of many modern journalists. It was thanks to Listyev that such iconic programs as “Field of Miracles”, “Rush Hour”, “My Silver Ball” and many others appeared. Perhaps even more than Vladislav himself, the mysterious and still uninvestigated story of his murder in the entrance of his own house is known. Recall the biography of Vladislav Listyev.
Career
Vladislav Listyev was born in Moscow on May 10, 1956. He studied at the sports boarding school named after the Znamensky brothers. He became a candidate for a master of sports in athletics, a champion of the Soviet Union among juniors in 1000 meters running. After training, he worked as an instructor in physical education.
After military service in the suburbs and studying at the preparatory department, he entered Moscow State University - the faculty of journalism, the international department. He received the specialty "literary employee of television." Listyev was not only talented, but also incredibly smart - he absorbed new knowledge easily and naturally.
He worked in the editorial board of the USSR State Radio and Television, editor of radio broadcasting in foreign countries. During this time, Listev managed to make a large number of useful contacts.
"Glance" - a symbol of perestroika
In 1987, Vladislav Listyev became one of the leading television programs “Sight”, one of the most popular programs of the late XX century.
The television show was supposed to be an alternative leisure option for young people. She was supposed to distract them from then popular foreign radio stations.
The program changed the perception of the inhabitants of the USSR on television and news. Live broadcasts were conducted by young relaxed presenters, discussed lively topics on the air, showed foreign music videos as pauses. Politicians, popular and famous people were invited to the broadcasts.
“Glance” has become one of the symbols of perestroika, and its presenters have become national heroes.
TV company "VID"
The success of the program was overwhelming. Vladislav Listyev and his colleagues created the television company “Vzglyad and Others”, better known as “VID”.
In 1991, Vladislav Listyev became the general producer of VID. In 1993 he became its president. Among the programs of Vladislav Listyev are widely known: “Field of Miracles”, “Rush Hour”, “Theme”. He created Guess the Melody and the Silver Ball. He also became the initiator of the show "Race for survival."
In 1991, the capital show “Field of Miracles” was first released, the author and first host of which was Vladislav Listyev. The name of the program was taken from the tale of Pinocchio. The novelty of the concept, the active participation of stars of show business, television, and cinema have become key factors in the success of the transfer. Russian television has not yet seen such programs.
Secret of success
Listyev’s success was that he really loved his work and was able to work: “Those people who believe that there is only work for them and that for everything else are not right are wrong. It's a lie. These people simply do not know how to work. Or they became so callous that they forgot how to enjoy life, and yet every day, along with the bunch of worries that he brings, always gives at least little joy. And if you focus on them, and this may be the smile of a woman, even one that you may not know, you will experience delightful feelings. In general, every day should give people joy. "
Transition to ORT
As a result of conflicts with teammates, he was removed from the post of president. In 1995, he was invited to become director of ORT, the new company of Channel One. Listyev’s colleagues spoke about his enormous contribution to the foundation of effective television, noted the ability to find an approach to all viewers, to create the feeling that he was sitting next to them. To be closer to the viewer, Listev adhered to the following formula: “The most important thing in any program, as I see it, is, of course, a person. This is a relationship between a woman and a man, between children and parents. This is the future of our children, this is our social and personal life. This is what worries us at the moment and what we are talking about at work, on the way home, coming home from work. ”
Listyev was considered one of the most honest journalists of domestic television.
At the new workplace, Leaves was very active, as a result of which he was subjected to repeated threats. He wanted to make television not a means of advertising and propaganda, but an accessible source of information, a place where you can cultivate and engage in self-education. After the moratorium on advertising, the number of threats towards the journalist increased.
Listyev family
Vladislav is a man with a difficult fate. He had a huge influence in the television industry, but was deeply unhappy. For some time he even suffered from alcoholism and tried to commit suicide.
Parents of Vladislav Listyev worked at the Dynamo plant. This is one of the largest and oldest engineering plants. After the suicide of father Vladislav Listyev, Zoya's mother got married a second time. My stepfather was 10 years older than Vladislav; he abused alcohol and drugs. Listyev then studied in the 10th grade. Stepfather was also addicted to alcohol by his mother, Vlad. Due to stress, I had to forget about good results in sports and athletics, although the coaches predicted a great future for the young man.
With his first wife, Elena Listyev met after graduating from a boarding school. She was also an athlete. Leaves happily moved to her from her home. The marriage broke up after two and a half years. From the marriage was the daughter of Valery, in the upbringing of which the father did not participate. The son died almost immediately after birth. After his death, the mother experienced a nervous breakdown, began to behave aggressively towards her husband. As a result, the marriage broke up
At the 1980 Olympics, Listev worked as a translator. His second wife, Tatyana, then still a student at Moscow State University, did not lag behind. From this marriage, the first son died at the age of six, becoming an invalid at three months old as a result of the negligent work of doctors. Leaf hardly suffered this blow - he began to drink. Tatiana tried to return him to normal, but nothing came of it. The second son, Alexander, studied in England, then returned to Russia. Since 2002, he has been working on television - at first he was an administrator, then became the executive director of the popular projects "Big Races", "Star Factory", "Minutes of Glory", "The Last Hero".
The third wife was the artist, designer, producer Albina Nazimova. She saved him from alcoholism - by force led away from parties, even quit work, devoting all her time to her husband.
Vladislav Listyev’s children left him four grandchildren, none of whom had ever seen his grandfather.
Murder
Vladislav Listyev was killed at the entrance of his own home on March 1, 1995. He returned home late in the evening after filming the Rush Hour program. Bullets fired by two unknowns hit the head and right forearm. The cash and valuables left made it clear that the murder of Vladislav Listyev was related to the journalist’s politics or business relations.
A statement of death was made by Boris Yeltsin himself, the first president of Russia. During the day, a mourning screensaver was broadcast on several channels on the air, periodically replaced by news releases.
Listyev was buried at the Vagankovsky cemetery. The killing was one of the most high-profile at the time.
Murder investigation
The tragedy has not yet been disclosed. Many criminals confessed to his murder, but then refused their testimony. The investigation was suspended only in 2009, due to vague prospects - many of the defendants were already dead.
Listyev himself said: “Before you blame someone, you need facts. If I had iron facts, then I would go to great lengths, but only when the whole factual side of the matter has been checked. Because there can be many empty charges. Conversation at the level "The fool himself" does not make sense. This is the day before yesterday of Russian journalism. Today we need to very clearly and reasonably build our position, but for this we need facts. In order to get them, you need a lot of work. "
A tremendous amount of work has been done in the investigation of Listyev’s murder. It is said that the attackers had influential patrons who were able to cut off all the strings leading to the perpetrator.
Suspects
There were three main suspects in the case - Boris Berezovsky, Sergey Lisovsky and Alexander Korzhakov.
The version that Boris Berezovsky, an entrepreneur and politician became the customer of the murder, was actively developed in his books and articles by journalist Paul Khlebnikov. In his opinion, Berezovsky wanted to become the CEO of the privatized Channel One, but he was only appointed deputy chairman of the Board of Directors. The motive for the murder was Listyev’s ban on advertising on ORT.
The second suspect was Sergey Lisovsky, statesman and media manager. Listiev’s moratorium on displaying ads on ORT meant for Lisovsky the loss of millions of rubles.
Another suspect, Alexander Korzhakov, a security officer for Bris Yeltsin, was also motivated by hiding the theft of advertising revenue and channeling these funds to the election campaign for Russian President Oleg Soskov.
There are versions of the fact that Listyev was not going to be killed at all - they just wanted to intimidate.
Memory
“If they kill me, they will remember me no more than six months,” said Listev. And how wrong he was! Until now, he is cited as an example of honest, objective, intellectual journalism. In memory of Vlad Listyev , a prize was named after him for his contribution to the development of television. The first winner of this award was journalist Leonid Parfyonov. More than twenty documentaries were shot about Vlad by leading Russian television channels: TV-6, ORT, Russia and others. 7 books were written about his life and mysterious murder. A huge number of archival photos of Vladislav Listyev from the preparation of his television programs have been preserved.