What are the names of the storage brothers? Helen Zapashnaya (Raikhlin) - wife of circus artist Askold Zapashny: biography, nationality, children. Achievements and awards
Edgard Walterovich Zapashny. Born on July 11, 1976 in Yalta. Circus performer, predator trainer, third generation representative of the famous Zapashny circus dynasty. Film actor. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (1999). People's Artist of the Russian Federation (2015).
On March 11, 2014, he signed an appeal from cultural figures of the Russian Federation in support of the policies of Russian President V.V. Putin in Ukraine and Crimea.
In September 2016, like his brother, he became a confidant of the United Russia party in the elections to the State Duma of the 7th convocation.
Edgard Zapashny in the program "Alone with Everyone"
Edgar Zapashny's height: 189 centimeters.
Personal life of Edgard Zapashny:
His first love was a Chinese woman.
“It was in 1993, in China. I met a charming Chinese woman, Achun. Later, we lived with her for more than three years. Achun worked in a safari park, where we came for a long time. I really loved her. I truly felt and for the first time I realized what love was like! We separated because I had to return to Russia. And for me it was a serious step, either to take her with me or to stay there. We decided that we still needed to separate. Still young, We were afraid we’d do something stupid. This is my first love!” he said.
He lived in a civil marriage for 13 years with circus artist (aerial gymnast) Elena Petrikova.
Elena Petrikova - former common-law wife of Edgard Zapashny
He was in a relationship with the former lead singer of the group “Silver”. However, later Edgard Zapashny admitted that.
In 2012, the circus performer had an affair with an actress.
In March 2015, it became known that Edgard Zapashny had been in a relationship for several years with fitness instructor Olga Denisova, whom he met while visiting a gym in Voronezh. During this time, Olga gave birth to Edgard's daughters Stefania (2011) and Gloria (2013). At one time there were rumors that Zapashny intended to marry the mother of his daughters. But it never came to marriage.
After breaking up with Olga Denisova, he began a relationship with a girl named Yaroslavna, who became his common-law wife. They met in 2013 in the company of friends. The romance proceeded very stormily - at first the lovers spent a lot of time together, and then moved in together. Yaroslavna got a job at the Zapashny Brothers Circus as an administrator.
He enjoys billiards and bowling.
Filmography of Edgard Zapashny:
2009 - Foundry (4th season) - Edgard
2009 - City of Temptations - Vlad, Masha’s boyfriend
2010 - Interns - cameo, fearless tamer of wild animals, but afraid of rats
2011 - I'm afraid that they will stop loving me. Andrey Mironov (documentary)
2011 - Real boys - cameo
2013 - 12 months - cameo
2013 - Don't be afraid, I'm with you! (Qorxma, mən səninləyəm! 1919 - Azerbaijan, Russia) - Danila, student of San Sanych
2014 - Family business - cameo
2016 - Margarita Nazarova - Oleg Pavlovich Rigel, circus director
Who doesn’t know the strongest and most courageous tamers of tigers and lions - the brothers Edgard and Askold Zapashny? With their talent, they have long won the love of a multimillion-dollar public and have become one of the most famous hereditary trainers throughout the world. Each of them has their own personal and family life, which they, in general, carefully hide from prying eyes.
Askold
Askold Zapashny, whose wife will be discussed further, was born in Kharkov in 1977. He entered a cage with tigers for the first time at the age of 10. He began his circus career with his brother Edgard as a horse juggler and monkey trainer. In 1998, their father, People’s Artist of Russia Walter Zapashny, gave them the “Among Predators” attraction to celebrate his 70th birthday. Askold Zapashny entered the Guinness Book of Records with a stunt for the longest jump on a lion. Together with his brother, they created the Zapashny Brothers Circus.
Askold Zapashny's wife Helen
The wedding of Askold and Helen took place secretly from prying eyes, without much publicity on television and in the press. On the eve of this event, he was appointed chief artistic director of the Great Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue.
His wife today is Helen Zapashnaya. Her biography says that she was born in the Holy Land of Israel, in the city of Haifa, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. She is attached to this country with all her heart and soul, because her parents live here and are always waiting for them. Married to Askold, they had two girls named Eva and Elsa.
According to Helen herself, her and Askold’s parents were against their relationship. His mother, as a wise woman, wanted him to marry a circus girl, since she would be more loyal to his constant business trips, all sorts of hardships and associated inconveniences. And most importantly, she will always and everywhere follow her husband. And Ellen’s parents were afraid that their daughter would abandon the Minsk Medical Institute because of this.
Acquaintance
One day, the future Helen Zapashnaya, while still studying at the institute, went with friends to a circus performance by the Zapashny brothers. They spent the evening having fun, but then a couple of days later a friend they had in common with Askold called her and said that Askold was asking for her phone number. But then she didn’t know the trainer Askold and didn’t see much of his posters. She replied that she didn’t need it at all, because she already had a boyfriend, and the tour performers would be leaving soon.
Helen thought that if this is a famous artist, it means he is spoiled by female attention. The friend was indignant, but still managed to get her phone number. Then, at a lecture, she received a message on her phone where Askold invited her on a date, and they met. Their first evening was great, but then Askold disappeared for four days. It turns out that this was a trick to make her fall in love with him. She broke up with her boyfriend. Then the circus left and toured for 2 months. But the lovers used the phone to communicate at any time of the day or night, as it turned out.
Offer
Until recently, Helen did not understand everything that was happening to her; she slowed herself down so as not to completely lose herself in relationships and feelings. But Askold, although it was not easy for him, explained to her that their relationship had reached a different level. Three months after they met, Zapashny confessed his love to her. They began to dream about a wedding, about children, in general, they were making plans for the future in full swing, and even if the whole world was against them.
From that moment on, they declared themselves a couple. Askold went to visit Helen’s parents in Israel. Everyone was worried. Then there in the Holy Land he proposed to her, gave her a ring as his future wife and said those very important and main words and she, of course, answered “yes”.
Edgard
However, Edgard did not support his brother in this matter, and Askold was very surprised, because when he brought and showed his girlfriend to his mother, and she did not like her, Edgard left home with a backpack, and Askold left with him. True, their age then was quite youthful. Askold waited for his brother’s support, but then everything quickly calmed down, and today the whole family enjoyed pleasant relations. Edgard became the godfather of their first daughter, Eva, and he also has two daughters growing up.
Helen Zapashnaya gave birth to two girls, but she and her husband still really want a son so that he can continue the Zapashny dynasty of trainers. True, they have some disagreements on the issue of circumcision. After all, if a son is born, then according to Jewish traditions this process is simply necessary. Helen believes that from the point of view of hygiene this is very correct, but Askold does not at all share his wife’s opinion and so far stands his ground.
Eva and Elsa
Askold himself chose the names of his daughters; Helen believed that he had every right to do so, since a woman bears a child, and a man, giving a child a name, should feel involved, that he has become a father. The name Eva is Jewish, and Askold liked it, and also became pleasant for Helen’s parents. This was the first girl. But they named their second daughter Elsa simply because it is a very beautiful name.
Askold’s mother was against this name and even called the young people about this so that they would not name the child after successful people. But when some complex and controversial issues arise, the Zapashnys begin to look for a sign, and they received it. When, after their mother’s call, the young parents stopped at a traffic light, they suddenly saw a truck nearby, on which “Elsa” was written in large letters. And then another significant event happened: the famous world actress Elizabeth Taylor died on little Elsa’s birthday.
Zapashny's parents decided that their daughters should have beautiful, catchy and bright, memorable names. Askold and Helen already dream of being circus performers. Eva is very similar to her mother, and the youngest Elsa is an exact copy of her father, and therefore she is jokingly called Askolda Askoldovna.
Helen Zapashnaya: nationality
Helen is Jewish by nationality, and sometimes the Zapashnys live in Israel for a long time, but they consider their family to be modern and do not observe Jewish traditions. Helen Zapashnaya (Raichlin) was at first offended by her husband who did not help her in the kitchen. But Askold explained his position to her very simply, saying that it was funny to him, for example, when a guy carries his girlfriend’s small handbag.
After her marriage, Helen changed her views about real men; she came to terms with the fact that her husband doesn’t even know how to fry eggs and doesn’t bring coffee to bed.
Tour
Helen Zapashnaya tries to follow her husband everywhere with her children. The Zapashny Brothers Circus constantly tours around the world, and Askold sometimes is not at home for months. From the experience of other families, Askold knows that in a long separation feelings cool down and spouses become unaccustomed to each other, so Askold and Helen and their children almost always travel together. Helen herself admits that she is always ready to follow her husband and endure all the inconveniences, especially since they have already adapted well and take with them all the necessary furniture, household appliances, linen and even curtains.
Helen has already gotten used to the nomadic lifestyle, and if her husband leaves alone, then after a while, greatly bored, she hurries to him. And the children should see their father and their uncle Edgard more often, who already has sufficient parenting skills, having his own daughters.
Askold believes that what works best with children is that they should be rewarded for a good deed, and punished for a bad deed, and it is better not to confuse the boundaries. Because of raising children, the Zapashnys have disagreements, since, according to Askold, Helen Zapashnaya spoils their children. Children immediately feel concessions and begin to manipulate and use their whims to achieve what they want.
Jealousy
The young Zapashny spouses sometimes have disagreements due to jealousy. Especially at first, Helen Zapashnaya was very jealous of her husband towards women, but then she tried to figure out where she should be jealous and where not. In turn, Askold also does not accept the presence of a man near his wife.
However, Zapashny is not at all a tyrant in his family; he allowed his wife to study in residency so that she could finally complete her medical education. It’s a little stupid to study for seven years and then give it all up. Helen is a beautiful and smart woman, she wants to be independent. When many years have passed, she does not want to regret missed opportunities, especially since modern marriages are no longer strong.
Today, the parents of the spouses no longer condemn their choice; the main thing for them now is that their children love and respect each other. The trainer was destined for a circus performer as his wife, and for her, an Israeli doctor. But now everything is wonderful, and parents are only happy for the young people and for their beloved granddaughters.
The Zapashny family has always been famous for a large number of misunderstandings and conflicts. Dni.Ru decided to figure out why people who are closest not only by blood, but also by life’s work, cannot always live in harmony.
The dynasty of circus performers dates back to 1900. Then Mikhail Zapashny was born, and five years later - his future wife Lida, who, by the way, was also the daughter of the then famous circus artist - clown Carl Thompson.
Mikhail had nothing to do with the circus and came to the arena quite by accident, immediately after the end of the civil war. The future great artist worked as a port loader; he was invited to try his hand at the circus by the famous wrestler Ivan Poddubny. Judging by the written memoirs of his contemporaries, Poddubny immediately noticed Zapashny’s unprecedented power and strength.
By the age of 30, Mikhail had several high-profile numbers, some of which he later performed with his sons - Walter, Mstislav, Sergei and Igor. Almost throughout the Second World War, Zapashny’s three youngest sons and daughter Anna were in besieged Leningrad under the supervision of their grandmother. The artist’s wife did not manage to return from the tour before the city was surrounded.
In 1954, the Zapashny brothers, in full force, released the issue “Acrobats-Voltigeurs”. To this day, he is recognized as the most brilliant and talented circus act in the world.
The first public scandal associated with the Zapashny family occurred during Mstislav’s divorce from Dolores. The couple were together for more than 25 years. Later, Dolores gave several interviews in which she admitted that she did not regret the years she lived with the great artist, but in their family life everything was not so rosy. And it all started very touchingly: Zapashny supported Dolores as best he could after the death of her husband and offered to participate in his act. Of course, the friendly relationship soon developed into a romantic one. Zapashny left his first wife Inna Abakarova for the sake of Dolores.
After the separation of Dolores and Mstislav, evil tongues said that he left the family for the sake of his next wife, Irina. But as it turned out, the initial reason for the breakup was not so much another woman as banal jealousy. As Dolores said, Mstislav Sr. was always jealous of her, almost from the first day they met. But then both of them were not free.
Nevertheless, after the divorce, Mstislav and Dolores maintained friendly relations. After all, they had behind them not only many years of work together, but also family life with two common children - Mstislav Jr. and Helen.
In 2008-2009, the complex relationships of the younger generation of the dynasty were revealed. The sons of Walter and Mstislav still do not get along with each other. Edgard, Askold and Mstislav, of course, are forced to meet from time to time. But increasingly, each of them admits that he considers the other side too arrogant. In an interview seven years ago, Edgard Zapashny spoke ambiguously about Mstislav Jr.
"He is his father's son. We have met several times, and I know how disparaging he speaks of us."
Currently, Edgard and Askold perform in the Zapashny Brothers Circus, which they founded. Mstislav is engaged in his own career, without interfering with his cousins. The idea of the famous act, in which tigers waltz on balloons, belongs to his father, Mstislav Sr.
Mstislav Jr. also has a difficult personal history. According to official information, Mstislav Mstislavovich has eight children. He accustoms three of them to the playpen from an early age. So, in 2007, Mstislav performed with his ten-month-old son, and at that time the eldest son was already starting his acrobat career. By the way, another high-profile scandal is associated with the eldest son: after the divorce, the boy stayed with his mother, but after some time he ran away, resolutely declaring that he would live only with his father.
Of course, it is very, very unfortunate that members of such a talented and famous family do not always get along with each other, or even do not want to communicate with each other at all. However, there were times when things were different. According to sources close to the Zapashnys, previously the founder of the dynasty, Mikhail Sergeevich, liked to gather the whole family. After his death, this mission passed to Mstislav Mikhailovich, but, unfortunately, the artist was unable to properly unite everyone. And even more so - to make peace.
Mstislav Mikhailovich spent the last years of his life at the resort with his wife Irina. The death of the maestro is a great loss for all the luminaries of circus art. The ingenious acts “Elephants and Tigers”, “Flight to the Stars”, as well as the pantomime “Spartacus”, invented by Mstislav, will remain for a long time not only in the memory of the audience, but also in circus programs around the world.
Askold Zapashny’s wife and children occupy all the time he has left from working in the arena. He, a representative of one of the most famous Russian circus dynasties, together with his brother Edgard, organized his own circus, the tours of which not only in our country, but also abroad are a huge success. The artist’s wife Helen gave birth to her eldest daughter, Eva, in 2010, and a year later Zapashny became a father for the second time, and again to a little daughter, whom they named Elsa.
Askold Zapashny met his future wife during a tour in Minsk. Helen was the best friend of the wife of one of his circus friends. Helen is an Israeli citizen, and therefore was a student at the Faculty for Foreigners. Their romance developed rapidly, and immediately after the wedding they decided that their family must have many children.
In the photo - Askold Zapashny with his wife and children
The first daughter, Eva, was born in 2010, when Askold was thirty-three years old, and he was already old enough to take this important event responsibly. The decision to give birth to a second child in a year was also meaningful - the age difference between Askold and his brother Edgard is also a year, and this, according to the artist, is the best option for children.
Both of Askold’s daughters were born when he was performing in the arena, and each time he received a message from his wife via SMS, and it was very touching for him. Zapashny chose the names for his daughters himself, and approached this very responsibly - Askold wanted them to be beautiful, and at the same time not pretentious.
Helen is a doctor by training, graduated from the conservatory in piano, served in the Israeli army, and currently only cares about her family. Askold tried to help his wife as best he could when the daughters were very small - he got up at night, changed diapers, but his wife, if possible, tried to free her husband from these worries, understanding how tired he was at work.
Today, Askold Zapashny’s children Eva and Elsa have already grown up and are already performing in the arena. From their very birth, he said that his daughters would definitely become circus performers and continue the Zapashny dynasty, and for this they would not even have to study at a circus school - he would teach them all the wisdom himself, because he had a wealth of experience performing in the circus arena.
Outwardly, the eldest daughter looks more like her mother, and the youngest Elsa is a copy of Askold, and her relatives jokingly call her Askolda Askoldovna. Eva and Elsa have been traveling with the circus since birth, they know all the artists and animals, and in this their life is very similar to the life of Askold and his brother.
For the first time, the eldest daughter of Askold Zapashny entered the arena when she was three years old, and after that her father began to take her to bows after each of his performances. When Askold Zapashny’s wife was going to give birth to a second child, he dreamed that he would have a son, but it turned out that a daughter was born again. But Helen is sure that they will have more children, and she will definitely give birth to a boy. Askold is not against it, but to the question “how many children can Askold Zapashny have in the future?” replies that no more than four, and even if they are girls again, he does not agree to more.
Helen, realizing that frequent separations can negatively affect the relationship between spouses, is ready to endure all the inconveniences and difficulties in order to always be close to her husband, so they go on almost all tours with the whole family. She is accustomed to this way of life, and even when she stays at home, after a few weeks she asks Askold to take her and her daughters to his place. Helen understands that constant communication is necessary not only for her and her husband, but also for their children - with their dad. In addition, they love their uncle very much - Askold's older brother Edgard, who also adores his nieces.
Askold Zapashny - producer, Honored and People's Artist of the Russian Federation. He is the artistic director of the Great Moscow Circus, which is located on Vernadsky Avenue. To see the grand shows of legendary trainers called “Sadko”, “Camelot” and “Legend”, “K.U.K.L.A.” and “System”, many spectators regularly come and leave the circus performance in a state of complete admiration.
Askold Valterovich Zapashny is the youngest representative of the famous Zapashny circus dynasty. A dynasty that spans four generations. Not only their parents, but also their grandparents and great-grandfathers were circus performers. He is a German by birth, the eccentric clown Carl Thompson, who performed in Russia under the stage name Milton.
It is difficult to say exactly what nationality Askold and his brother are, because the family has different roots.
To follow in the footsteps of famous ancestors and continue the glorious circus dynasty was destined for the great-grandsons of Milton - and Askold Zapashny. Parents even gave bright names to their children so that they would sound beautiful under the circus big top and be remembered well.
The family toured the country - such a “nomadic” fate for circus performers. The eldest son Edgard was born in Yalta, but a year younger Askold was born in September 1977 in Kharkov, Ukraine.
Zapashnye specialized in training predatory animals. This most dangerous profession more than once put the lives of parents, Walter and Tatyana Zapashny, on a fine line beyond which this life could end. Terrible wounds were left on the mother's legs after the tiger attacked. And one can talk for hours about the injuries received by his father: numerous broken limbs, lacerations and even a broken neck, after which Walter Zapashny miraculously returned to life.
However, such a life - always on the edge - turned out to be the only possible and familiar one for the parents. She became the same for Askold Zapashny and his older brother.
The future trainers studied in the same class, although there was a one-year difference between them. This was the decision of the father, who saw the future of his sons under the circus big top. The family traveled to many large cities in Russia, so the boys changed several schools. However, this did not give them the right to study in any way: the boys’ progress was monitored by a strict father. And although he was terribly tired after exhausting training and difficult attractions, he always found time to raise his sons.
Askold Zapashny's circus biography began at an early age. He went to the arena as a child, but the boy took part in his first circus act when he was 10 years old. The official debut is considered to be entering the stage at the age of 11. Then, in the winter of 1988-89, the Zapashnys toured in Riga. Askold and Edgard took part in the “Time Machine” number, which was warmly received by the audience.
Career
In 1991, Askold Zapashny and his family went to the Middle Kingdom. The advent of the “dashing 90s” brought their charges to the brink of starvation, because the required provisions for lions and tigers were a considerable expense every day. And in the 90s, it became more and more difficult to buy food for animals every day.
Fortunately, a solution was found. The Chinese offered the parents a lucrative contract. At that time, the sons graduated from school. There were no obstacles to traveling abroad.
In a famous holiday destination, Safari Park in the suburbs of Shenzhen, a summer circus was erected for the Zapashnys. Walter Zapashny's responsibilities included training Chinese trainers. The sons also participated in the process. And to be different from the Chinese, they became blondes.
Askold Zapashny learned the complex Chinese language, which he still speaks today. During these years, he learned to juggle while standing on horses and train monkeys. Later, in this type of training, he and his brother reached such heights that they received the main prize “Golden Troika” from the First All-Russian festival-competition of circus art, which was held in Yaroslavl in 1997.
In addition, Askold Zapashny is an excellent vaulting acrobat, tightrope walker, Segway juggler and roller acrobat.
After the end of the Chinese contract, the circus family returned to Moscow. During these years they toured a lot, visiting all the major cities of the post-Soviet space and distant foreign countries. We even visited Japan.
Also, Askold and Edgard Zapashny began working with lions and tigers at this time. In 1998, the father passed on the famous attraction “Among Predators” to his sons. Askold and his brother adopted from him the wisdom of training predatory animals and developed this dangerous and beautiful art. Askold Zapashny with his author's trick “The longest jump on a lion” is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Soon the brothers created their own circus, calling it the “Zapashny Brothers Circus.” He is distinguished by a special style that none of his colleagues have either in the country or abroad.
In 2012, Askold Zapashny became the artistic director of the Great Moscow State Circus. Edgard took over as director.
Askold Zapashny in the show “Ice Age”In 2013, the brothers presented the show “Emotions...” at the Fontanka Circus. The peculiarity of this program is that each performance can be considered the main one. That same year, the artist shared in an interview that they began building a 5D circus. And by 2018, or maximum by 2021, such a circus will be created in Russia.
Askold Zapashny is a real star. Therefore, a man is often invited to television shows. He and he became a participant in the 4th season of the TV show “Ice Age” in 2013. He also appeared in the top-rated television projects “The Safronov Brothers”, “Veselaya Street”, “One Hundred to One” and “Dinner Party”.
Askold Zapashny in the “Dinner Party” programAskold Zapashny actively participates in the socio-political life of the country. In 2011, he and his brother signed an Appeal from members of the public, which condemned the pressure on the judicial system in the case of Yukos leaders.
And in the spring of 2014, Zapashny Jr. signed an appeal from cultural figures of the Russian Federation who expressed support for the president’s policy on the issue of annexing Crimea.
Askold Zapashny in the program “Legends of the Circus”In 2015, Zapashny became the hero of the “Legends of the Circus” project, where the trainer’s brother acted as the host.
In the same year, the artist participated in the filming of a series about life. At the work site, Askold was unexpectedly attacked by the tigress Shakira and cut the artist’s thigh with a blow of her paw. Zapashny was immediately sent to the hospital.
Askold Zapashny in the program “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”In January 2016, Askold Valterovich participated in the program “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The actress played opposite the famous artist.
In September, Askold, like his brother, became a confidant of the United Russia party in the elections to the State Duma of the 7th convocation.
Personal life
For a long time, the famous trainer was considered an eligible bachelor. Handsome, famous, rich, prominent (Askold’s height is 177 cm) - crowds of beauties hunted for the young man’s heart. But later it became known that Askold Zapashny’s personal life was arranged. He also had two charming daughters with sonorous names, like everyone else in this glorious circus dynasty, Eva and Elsa.
The artist met his wife Ellen Raichlin, who has Israeli citizenship, in Minsk while on tour. The girl is Jewish by nationality. At the time of the meeting, he was 27. Behind him was an 8-year civil marriage with Elena Baranenko, also a circus performer, with whom Askold never decided to get married. Helen was born in Belarus, but as a child she moved with her parents to Israel. She received higher education in her small homeland.
The beautiful student and several other friends were brought with him to the circus by Zapashny’s friend Andrey. Askold immediately liked the girl. She turned out to be not only charming, but also an intelligent conversationalist and an interesting person. But the main thing that intrigued the trainer, spoiled by female attention, was that Helen did not know or hear anything about him until the moment of the meeting.
They dated for three years. These were occasional meetings, because the girl did not give up her studies, and Askold Zapashny could not cancel the planned tour.
There were more obstacles in the way of this beautiful couple than one could imagine. The relatives of each of the young people were not too happy about this union. Helen Reichlin's parents dreamed of a Jewish son-in-law, preferably a doctor. And the circus artist’s family saw Askold’s wife as a girl from the “circus” circle, who would understand and share a specific lifestyle.
However, love overcame obstacles, and two charming daughters only cemented this marriage.
In one interview, Askold’s mother, Tatyana Zapashnaya, recalled that at first she did not treat her daughter-in-law very well, and then fell in love with the girl. The woman also mentioned the spree of her son from his wife. Then Tatyana told Askold that even if he broke up with Helen, she would remain in the family.
In 2016, Eva and Elsa performed for the first time under the circus big top together with their famous dad and uncle. If they connect their future life with the circus, they will turn out to be circus performers in the 5th generation, continuing the glorious Zapashny dynasty.
Thousands of fans watch the artist on social networks “ Instagram", where Askold posts personal and work photos and videos. Often, animal rights activists write in the comments to the pictures asking the trainers to close the show.
Zapashny also leads “