Igor Kio – Russian illusionist

Igor Kio was a famous Russian illusionist, a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, who won numerous awards including People’s Artist of the Russian Federation. Igor remains the only illusionist to be awarded an Oscar (Belgium) for best artist.
Igor was born on March 13, 1944 into a family of circus performers. His father was another noted Russian magician Emil Kio.
At the age of 5 Igor began appearing in front of audiences and by the age of 15, he was working as a magician.
Kio often performed on television, including an annual New Year’s Day program in the 1980s, which brought together pop music, theater and film stars.

In 1989, Kio opened his own firm “Show-Illusion by Igor Kio”, organizing tours for his and other artistic teams. He was the first to form a professional ballet troupe of 18 people in a circus. Later his daughter performed in his show as a ballet dancer.
Igor Kio toured in Japan (1965), the U.S. (1967-1968, together with Yuri Nikulin), Belgium, France (1969-1970), Turkey, Yugoslavia, Germany, etc.
Igor died on August 30, 2006, at the age of 62, in Moscow.

Women played a very special role in the life of an artist.
Kio was married to Galina Brezhneva, the only daughter of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Igor was only 18 and she – 32. Their union lasted only 9 days.

In his second, 11-year marriage, Kio had a daughter. After divorce Igor’s second wife Iolanta Olkhovikova married his brother Emil.

The last time he was married for 20 years. Victoria Ivanova became his third wife.

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