Irina Ponarovskaya, the renowned Russian pop singer, is still grappling with the devastating loss of her only son, Anton Rodd, who tragically passed away at the tender age of 39. The news of his untimely death on September 20, 2024, was delivered to her during a phone call from her daughter-in-law, Anna Chainikova. "He went to take a shower and died," Ponarovskaya recalled, falling back on the stark simplicity of how such tragedies can shatter lives without warning.
Ponarovskaya learned of the heartbreaking news early on the fateful day when she was at her home. Anton's sudden heart failure came as a shock, as he had no serious health complaints prior to this event. Despite the minutes turning to hours and now months, Ponarovskaya finds herself unable to come to terms with the reality of her loss. "Here was a person—now he’s gone. It’s so simple. But it’s impossible to bear. It has been six months, and I still feel like it happened just yesterday. This is abnormal. Losing parents is part of life's design, but losing children is not normal," she reflected during her appearance on FAMETIME TV.
Born on October 17, 1984, Anton was not just her son; he was also her joy and pride, which makes the gravity of the loss even more unbearable. "I analyzed our lives and realized we never had arguments. We've always communicated well—talking for hours without secrets. He was my cherished son. I don’t feel his absence; he's always with me. If I meet God someday, I want to ask: why did I have to endure this experience?" she expressed with deep sorrow.
Life for Ponarovskaya after Anton's death has transformed. Over the past six months, she has witnessed both the darkness of grief and the light of her grandchildren, Erika and Charlotte, both of whom remind her of their father. "I can’t leave them without their father’s warmth, so I want to give them ten times more now. Dying and giving up is the easiest thing. I want to see them grow up," said Ponarovskaya, emphasizing her determination to honor her son's memory through her newfound dedication.
Anton Rodd was survived by his widow, Chainikova, who now bears the weight of raising two young children on her own. Chainikova has her own struggles to cope with after the loss of her husband, but she bravely strives to remain strong for Erika and Charlotte.
Ponarovskaya shared her fears and feelings about the loss as well. "I don’t know how to live this life now. Without him, everything feels incomplete; my world has shifted. I can't call it living when every moment feels like survival. Yet every day I muster the strength to keep going for the sake of my grandchildren,” she explained, describing her motivation.
To help process her grief, Ponarovskaya hopes to record a special song dedicated to her son. The lyrics for this heart-touching song have been penned by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, with the music composed by Maxim Fadeev. Ponarovskaya is excited about this tribute, saying, "Yes, I will sing. Maria Zakharova wrote beautiful lyrics dedicated to my son. She is such a wonderful woman, and I can't wait to record this song, as it's very close to my heart."
The artist continues to face challenges beyond her personal losses. She expressed concerns about feeling forgotten and sidelined within the music industry. "When discussions arise about the 90s or 2000s, no one mentions my name. It’s like I am there—and not there at the same time," she lamented. Yet, her past performances remain vivid, serving as reminders of her significant contributions to Russian pop culture.
Reflecting on her past, Ponarovskaya recalled the time spent alongside fellow artist Alla Pugacheva during the mid-1970s. The two shared intimate conversations during a joint trip for television work when Pugacheva was just beginning her rise to fame. Their bond was special, yet both took different paths after their connection. What stood out was their shared pride as successful women artists, yet their perceptions of status diverged significantly.
Ponarovskaya noted, "I once sang at Boris Yeltsin's birthday. I went where I was invited. To sing for the first president of our country was quite the honor. But it’s never occurred to me to request more airtime or favors because I always felt I should work hard for my opportunities. My appearances were limited to just four or five times during the Song of the Year festival throughout all my years."
Despite the emotional and professional upheaval, Ponarovskaya remains resolved to keep facing life head-on. Through her grandchildren and her music, she finds the strength to forge on, attempting to mend not just her heart but also the legacies of those she has lost. Every performance now holds even more meaning, as she honors Anton’s memory with each note, each smile she shares with Erika and Charlotte.
Her story is not just one of heartache but also resilience, as she attempts to redefine her life filled with memories of love and loss. Ponarovskaya stands not just as a grieving mother but as a warrior for her family, driven to keep their spirit alive with every breath she takes.
