Maria Mykolaichuk

Maria Yevhenivna Karpiuk was born on April 8, 1941, in the village of Vytylivka in Chernivtsi Oblast.^[1][2][3] In 1961, she graduated from the vocal studio at the O. Kobylianska Theater.^[3] That same year, she became a soloist in the Veryovka Ukrainian Folk Choir until 1973.^[4][3] In 1968, she became a member of the female a cappella trio Golden Keys which included Nina Matviienko and Valentyna Kovalska.^[3][2] The trio was initiated by her husband Ivan Mykolaichuk.^[2] From 1993 to 2012, she was part of the National Radio Company of Ukraine.^[3] She toured in CIS countries, Europe, the US and Canada.^[3] In 2021, she played her last film role in We are here. We are close.^[5] She died on February 1, 2023, at around 7 am in Chernivtsi.^[1][2][6] Her death was reported by the Chernivtsi Oblast Council.^[6] Ivan's nephew said that she died after a long illness.^[2] She was buried next to her husband Ivan at the Baikove Cemetery.^[1]

She knew her husband Ivan when they were both 16 years old.^[7][8] They married on August 29, 1962.^[4][1] She lived with him at a communal apartment.^[9] On her birthday in 1970, Ivan gave her the keys to a three-room apartment in Berezniaky, where they later lived together until Ivan's death in 1987.^[4][9]

In 2005, she was named People's Artist of Ukraine.^[5] That same year, a star for her was installed on the Alley of Stars in Chernivtsi.^[3]