TV presenter, journalist, educator, and public figure Arina Sharapova will celebrate her 65th birthday on May 30th. “Vechernaya Moskva” had a conversation with the jubilee.
— Arina, tell us how you plan to celebrate your anniversary. Do you celebrate every year, or not always?
— Usually, we have big, loud feasts, but this time I want quiet. I feel like celebrating with family. We will gather at the dacha with the children, set the table, and celebrate without unnecessary fuss.
— You always emphasize the importance of education and spiritual development. How did you come to this?
— Having recently visited China, I saw firsthand how important educational work is and how thoroughly it is carried out there: in schools and universities, they teach people to cherish their country’s history and honor the memory of the past. For them, concepts like family, diligence, and spiritual and moral values are fundamental. Our country is also working on spreading cultural values, and I, for one, am making films under the general title “Cultural Code. Russia,” targeting schoolchildren and students.
— Where do you show them?
— In educational institutions, and afterwards, we always have discussions with the students, discussing what they’ve seen. We’ve named this new format “film discussions.” People need a solid foundation, directly linked to the values that unite us all. Thanks to the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, there is a wonderful opportunity to tell young people about compassion, justice, and the pulse of the homeland. And I am glad that more and more people are getting involved in these topics.
I often repeat: please, learn to think well. Try, for at least a whole day, from morning till night, to think positively. In the Bible, the most frequent word is “rejoice,” and when we capture this state of inner sunshine, life becomes easier.
— You have a vast experience in television. What do you think of today’s TV?
— Television is incredibly diverse. When I talk to young people and ask if they watch TV, I often hear “no” in response, but then it turns out that they are perfectly familiar with series and projects on channels like “Pyatnitsa,” STS, or TNT. It’s another matter for federal channels, which are geared towards an older audience, although projects like “The Voice” and travel shows attract young people too.
— You currently host the show “Dobroye Utro” (Good Morning). Is it comfortable to wake up early?
— Yes. I really love this project because I’m an early bird and enjoy coming to work earlier to have a cup of coffee on the banks of the Moskva River or on Lenin Hills, where our mobile studio is located. It’s beautiful in any weather.
— What do you think about experienced TV professionals with established voices being sidelined due to age and replaced by less experienced young people?
— I think that’s a matter of responsibility for each specific channel, and federal channels, for example, are very meticulous about the voices of their hosts, announcers, and journalists. In reality, a huge number of true professionals work in television. These are cohesive, large teams that work like clockwork, and that’s invaluable. Of course, we always feel it painfully when someone from the team suddenly leaves, but as a rule, that doesn’t happen.
Here in “Dobroye Utro,” people have been working for 30, and even 40 years, and this indicates that professionals prefer to stay in place because they masterfully know their craft.
— Young people are moving away from TV, “moving” to their phones. Why do you think that is?
— Perhaps they don’t watch TV in its traditional sense, but they know all the major programs. Of course, many find something on the internet, some through mobile phones, but it would be incorrect to claim that television has disappeared from their lives entirely. Life changes, gadgets become closer, but TV also finds ways to attract a young audience.
— How do you manage to look so great? Are there any secrets to youth?
— Thank you very much for the compliment! As a woman, I enjoy hearing such words. There are no secrets.
I believe it’s primarily genetics – for which I thank my mom and dad – and a love for life. I don’t do exercises, but I walk my dog for an hour twice a day, in the morning and evening. And also – I smile often. It comes from somewhere inside, at the DNA level – a gift from my parents and fate. Of course, I don’t do it all the time; it would be suspicious, but when my heart tells me to.
— Tell us, where do you find the strength for all your projects? What inspires you?
— Work, being one of our main values, is itself an integral part of life. But, of course, even in such a busy job, one must find opportunities to rest. I enjoy spending time at the dacha, going to the movies with friends, meeting with my children, talking, communicating, visiting. I am inspired by life itself in all its manifestations.
— If you had the opportunity, what would you change in your life as a whole? In what area could you express yourself further?
— I live in the present moment and accept life as it is, trying to perfect it. I think that’s the most important thing. I plan to keep working and don’t want to stop. After all, it gives that very opportunity to see the world and, in essence, prolongs life.
— What are your three cherished wishes today?
— Peace, peace, and victory!
— How old do you feel yourself to be? For many women, the numbers on their passports matter greatly.
— I feel great, full of strength, energy, and a desire to create. That’s the most important thing.
PROFILE
Arina Sharapova was born on May 30, 1961, in Moscow. She has two higher educations. Since 2016, she has been the deputy chairman of the Moscow Public Chamber. She has been a host on federal channels for over 25 years. In 2026, filming began on her new project, “Heroes of Our Time: Stories That Unite Us.” The premiere is scheduled for July.
