Overview
- Life first reported his death on November 4, with confirmations later from ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze and Nikolaev’s family via TASS.
- Earlier the same day, REN TV reported that Nikolaev had been rushed to a Moscow hospital and placed in intensive care.
- Reports noted a long struggle with a serious lung illness, while an official medical cause of death has not been announced.
- Tributes poured in from colleagues and institutions, including singer Zara, musician Grigory Leps, and the Academy of Russian Television.
- Nikolaev was a People’s Artist of Russia known for hosting Utrennyaya pochta, Utrennyaya zvezda, and Dostoyanie Respubliki, and he received the Orders of Friendship and of Honour.