Ballet Dancer Vladimir Shklyarov and Maria Shirinkina’s Romance Timeline

Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov’s life was cut short after he experienced a tragic death.

The Mariinsky Theatre confirmed on November 16, 2024, that Shklyarov died. He was 39.

“The public’s favorite, star premier of the Mariinsky Theatre Vladimir Shklyarov tragically died,” a statement on the Mariinsky Theatre’s website read. “This is a huge loss not only for the theater’s staff, but for all of today’s ballet art. Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent.”

Shklyarov had fallen from the fifth floor of a building, according to local newspaper Fontanka. A preliminary investigation ruled the athlete’s death as an accident.

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“Vladimir Shklyarov had a back injury, and a complex spinal surgery was scheduled for Monday, November 18,” Anna Kasatkina, who is the head of the Mariinsky Theatre press service, told Fontanka in a statement. “All this time he was taking serious painkillers.”

An official cause of death has yet to be revealed.

As the investigation continues, many in the theater community are sending their support to Shkylarov’s wife, fellow Mariinsky dancer Maria Shirinkina, and their two young children.

Keep reading to learn more about the couple’s romantic love story:

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2012

Shklyarov and Shirinkina made their love story official when they got married in 2012. During their 12-year marriage, the couple was able to perform together in various theater productions, according to Russian media. “Every year, the temperature is higher, the love is stronger,” Shirinkina wrote via Instagram in 2022.

February 2015

Shklyarov and Shirinkina officially became parents when they welcomed their first baby, a son, in 2015. As he grew older, he took an interest in mom and dad’s work in theater. Whether having innocent fun at after parties or getting dressed up backstage, the couple’s son proved he caught the theater bug at a young age.

July 2021

The couple decided to expand their family in the summer of 2021 by welcoming a baby girl. It wasn’t until April 2023 when she was able to watch daddy perform onstage. “Our LOVE with @masha_shk ,” Shkylarov shared via Instagram, “for the first time in the Mariinsky Theater at dad’s play!”

September 2023

In one of their final performances as a couple at the Mariinsky Theatre, Shklyarov and Shirinkina were able to appear in a production of Romeo & Juliet.  “Always a great pleasure to dance together!” Shklyarov wrote via Instagram after posing for a picture with his wife. “Thank you my beloved @masha_shk for this play!”

February 2024

“Today, our BELOVED and BEST boy in the world turned 9 years old,” Shklyarov wrote via Instagram when celebrating his son’s birthday with his wife. “ALYESHKA, Happy Birthday! How quickly the time flies… .”