One of the founders of Russian television, Eduard Sagalaev, died suddenly 13.05.2023, 12:50

A member of the Academy of Russian Television, honored journalist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the USSR State Prize, Eduard Mikhailovich Sagalaev, died today. This was announced by the General Director of Public Television of Russia (OTR) Vitaly Ignatenko.

Yes, he died today. He died suddenly,” he told TASS. The tragic news was confirmed by the CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, Alexander Shirokikh.

Eduard Sagalaev was born on October 3, 1946 in Samarkand. He graduated from the Faculty of Philology of the University in his hometown. He entered television in 1975. Until 1984, he worked as editor-in-chief of programs for youth at the All-Union Radio. He then became the editor-in-chief of the youth programs of the Central Television of the USSR. It was he who came up with the name of the cult program “Vzglyad”.

From 1988 to 1990, he was the chief information editor of the Central Television of the USSR. In 1991, he became the chairman of the Union of Journalists and a People’s Deputy of the USSR. He hosted the author’s programs “Seven days”, “In the world of people”. He was the host of the Open News program on the RTR channel in conjunction with Svetlana Sorokina.

In 1992, Sagalaev founded the first Russian private television channel, TV-6, together with American businessman Ted Turner. He subsequently led her. In 1995, he founded the National Association of Broadcasters and became its president.

In February 1996, Boris Yeltsin Sagalayev was appointed chairman of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Company (VGTRK) by decree of the Russian President. A year later, he submitted his resignation of his own volition. On February 10, Boris Yeltsin appointed Nikolai Svanidze as chairman of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Company.

In 2004, after leaving big television, Eduard Mihajlovič became interested in mysticism. He was the host of the “Mystical Journeys” program on the TNT channel.

The famous figure of Russian television together with his wife Lyudmila raised two children: son Mikhail, who followed in the footsteps of his father – he became a director and television producer, and daughter Julia. They pleased their parents with four grandchildren.