Overview
- The public farewell was held Saturday in the large mourning hall at Moscow’s Troekurovskoye Cemetery.
- President Vladimir Putin sent a wreath, joined by tributes from the State Kremlin Palace, the Academy of Russian Television, the group Lyube and several prominent artists.
- Colleagues and public figures in attendance included Alla Danko, Valdis Pelsh, Alexander Marshal and singer Zara.
- Zara described Nikolaev as a figure viewers considered part of the family, praising his kindness, intellect, attentiveness and style.
- Nikolaev’s death at 76 was reported on November 4, and media personality Ksenia Sobchak said he died in hospital after a cancer battle, a detail not confirmed by official medical statements.