Valentina Tolkunova was a Soviet and Russian singer and was bestowed the title of Honored Artist of RSFSR and People’s Artist of the RSFSR. Her performances exhibited a kindhearted mood and sincerity, and her voice was noted for its clarity Valentina Tolkunova was a Russian singer best known as the voice on the popular TV show 'Good night, children'. Her lovely delivery of the lullaby 'Sleepy toys' has been bringing peace and happiness to millions of children going to bed. She was born Valentina Tolkunova on 12 July 1946, in Armavir, Krasnodar province, Russia. Her family moved to Moscow one year after she was born. Young Tolkunova had poor eyesight, but had perfect pitch and impeccable diction. She was fond of singing. At the age of 10 she won a singing competition at her school district. From 1964 - 1967 she studied singing and choir directing at the Moscow State Institute of Culture, then she studied at the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, graduating in 1971. Since her stage debut in 1966, she had a successful stage career with the big band in Moscow. In 1972 she became an instant TV celebrity after her memorable appearance with song. Later she went on to perform at numerous official Soviet functions and annual celebrations of the Communist Revolution, the Victory Day and other high-level political events. Her touring schedule included concerts in Japan, India, Finland, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, Israel and many other nations around the world. In 1971, she made her film debut in 1972. Then she went on to work with the best composers, filmmakers and songwriters in Russia, such as Mikael Tariverdiev, Oskar Feltsman, Nikita Bogoslovskiy, Ilya Kataev, Aleksandra Pakhmutova and many others. In 1973 she appeared singing a song by Vladimir Vysotskiy, and later earned wide recognition as the voice on the TV show 'Good night, children'. From 1989 - 2010 she was artistic director of Moscow Theatre of Musical Drama .Over a thirty-year recording career, Valentina Tolkunova released at least thirteen albums. She also won many awards in Soviet republics and was a 23-time winner of the "Song of the Year" competition on television. Valentina recorded twelve albums which sold millions of copies. She was designated Honorable Actress of Russia and People's Actress of Russia, and also received numerous awards and decorations from the Soviet state and from the Russian government. Tolkunova was active in various charitable projects in Russia and internationally. She sang for dignitaries and politicians, such as Mikhail Gorbachev and Pope John Paul II and other international figures. Among the highlights of her career were performances with Montserrat Caballé, and many other popular singers.Tolkunova released about 20 records and won the USSR's "Song of the Year" television competition 23 times. She has received numerous awards in the Russian Federation, including those from the Russian republics of Kalmykia and Kabardino-Balkaria. She also was given awards in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Estonia. She was married to writer Yuri Paporov and the couple had one son. In spite of her poor health, Valentina toured actively in Russia and in republics of the former USSR. On February 19, 2010, she had to interrupt a concert tour in Belarus due to urgent hospitalization. She died of a coma caused by brain tumor on March 22, 2010, in Moscow, and was laid to rest next to actors, in Troekurovskoe cemetery in Moscow, Russia. Her death caused a considerable mourning in Russia and in republics of the former Soviet Union, where millions know her songs by heart.

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