Ksenia Arkhipovna Alferova, the mother of People's Artist of Russia Irina Alferova and a decorated veteran of World War II, has died at the age of 103.
Her granddaughter, actress Ksenia Alferova, announced the death on her official Telegram channel. She confirmed that a farewell ceremony for her grandmother was held on Thursday, August 27.
Paying tribute to her grandmother, who was affectionately known within the family by the nickname Bama, the younger Alferova described her as an incredible woman and the true personification of unconditional, pure love. She wrote that her grandmother had left her light inside all of them, giving the family a powerful and caring guardian angel, and urged her followers on social media to pray for her.
Wartime service during the Battle of Moscow
Before deploying to the front lines during World War II, Ksenia Arkhipovna worked at an industrial plant manufacturing artillery weapons. She subsequently trained as a military radio operator and went to the front lines to participate directly in the fierce combat under Moscow during the conflict known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.
The wartime veteran remained a central figure in her family throughout her long life. Her eldest granddaughter, the actress Ksenia Alferova, was named in her honor in recognition of her legacy.
Memories of family legacy
In addition to honoring her grandmother, the younger Alferova had previously reflected on her final interaction with her stepfather, the acclaimed stage and screen performer and People's Artist of the RSFSR Alexander Abdulov. She admitted at the time that she had promised to visit the actor but did not manage to see him before he passed away.
Her mother, Irina Alferova, is widely recognized as one of the most popular actresses in Soviet and Russian cinema, having built a distinguished career in theater and film over several decades. Her former husband Abdulov was similarly one of the most celebrated figures in Soviet culture, making the family one of the most prominent dynasties in Russian performing arts.
