Soviet Sex symbol actress Elena Kondulaynen was one of the brightest film stars in 1980s. Elena Ivanovna Kondulaynen (Lembi Tutuvilhu Kontulaynen) was born April 9, 1958 in the village of Toksovo, Leningrad region. After graduating from music school, was going to enter the conservatory, but it so happened that she was admitted to the Institute of Culture at the conductor and choral department. Then she continued studying at the acting department. In 1983, she graduated from the institute and was accepted into the troupe of the Leningrad Lenin Komsomol Theater. But she hasn’t worked there for long. In 1986-1989 Elena Kondulaynen worked at Comedy Theater. First role – Eve in the play “All About Eve”. Since 1990 – the actress of private film studio Diaghilev Center.
Since 1995, Elena Kondulaynen resides in Moscow. Actress of the Moon Theater (directed by Sergei Prokhanov). Honored Artist of Russia (2002), Elena Kondulaynen was the first Russian film actress, awarded the title of sex symbol. The newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” invited the actress to the “Miss Chest” contest as a member of the jury. And there first announced: “Actress Helen Kondulaynen, a sex symbol of the USSR.” The actress began performing in concerts, singing songs including her own.
Elena Kondulaynen, sex symbol of the USSR, prefers to date men younger than herself. Not so long ago her romantic relationships with businessman Dmitry, who is 25 years younger, were discussed. Recently, the couple broke up. Perhaps the cause of the break was the outright photo shoot of Kondulaynen on the Maldives, the photos that hit the net at the beginning of January. Whatever it was, the actress is currently dating rocker of the Finnish band The Rasmus Aki Hakala, who is 21 years younger than Kondulaynen. According to her, the age difference does not bother the couple.
Just a couple of years before the glory of first Soviet sex symbol, Lena seriously wanted to kill herself. About that time, she does not like to remember: “I do not have any photos of the late 1980’s, where I was smiling. At that time, everything in my life had collapsed: parents died, I left the theater, life was not kind to me” … Plus, she divorced her first husband and was left with a young son in her arms. And then she fell ill, she almost died. “All this was in Leningrad, where I started my professional career. One morning, looked in the mirror and realized: I only have two choices. Either commit suicide or escape from this nightmare. And I grabbed the child, and ran to Moscow…
The capital met 30-year-old single mother surprisingly friendly. Exhausted, but with a stunning figure and a desperate gleam in her eyes, Elena was quickly noticed by the director of the film “One hundred days before the order.” And he said that for the main role he needs only this actress. “One hundred days before the order” – a drama about social disorder of Soviet soldiers – made a lot of noise. She was criticized by military officers. Kondulaynen was called almost a prostitute. But for the actress this controversial film was a landmark.
“Before it, I considered myself an ordinary woman – says Elena. – When a correspondent asked: “Do you know that you are called a sex symbol?” I was extremely confused. And then I was invited to the jury of the “Miss chest”. And there was first announced: “Elena Kondulaynen, a sex symbol of the USSR”. At first there was silence, and then – crazy applause. From that moment it started.
The early 1990s in Moscow Elena remembers as the happiest years of her life. On screen, one after the other appeared her movies. In 1993, the restless Kondulaynen became famous by creating a party of love, which admitted its members, well-known personalities like Alexander Pankratov – Cherny, Michael Zvezdinsky, Boris Khmelnitsky, Maria Arbatova.
Second husband of the actress became a businessman who demanded from Lena to get rid of her riotous past. – I brought this sacrifice on the altar of love – says Kondulaynen. After the wedding has become a nun: I was forgotten by mass media, and old friends, devoting my life to family. But the marriage broke up. Elena said she could not live in a “golden cage”. After the divorce, despite the new-found freedom Kondulaynen became depressed. But not for long: soon, the actress started a whirlwind romance with businessman named Sergei. He was ten years younger, but led her to the registry office, though set a condition: no more nude photo shots and crowds of fans.
Actress again and again promised to become a nun. Third marriage gave her second son, but did not bring happiness: four years ago the couple broke up. “I guess this is my fault, and he needed probably an ordinary wife… ” – Elena said.
