- Opera singer (soprano). Made her professional debut in 1944, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia, then toured in Russia for several years, then, in 1952, joined the troupe of Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
- Fled the Soviet Union in 1974 with her husband, Mstislav Rostropovich, and their two daughters.
- Made her La Scala debut in 1964, singing the role of Liù in Turandot, opposite Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli.
- Made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1961 as Aïda.
- Made her international debut in 1960 in Sarajevo at National Theatre as Aïda.
- Two daughters: Olga and Elena with her husband, Mstislav Rostropovich.
- Was in civil union with opera producer Mark Rubin and the couple had one son who died in infancy in 1945.
- Decorated with the Medal for Defense of Leningrad during WWII.
- Survivor of the siege of Leningrad during WWII. Served in defense.
- Was married to Georgi Vishnevsky, a Russian Navy officer, during the siege of Leningrad,.
- Pictured on a 15r Russian commemorative postage stamp, issued 24 October 2014.
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