Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** The Rise and Fall of Maria Pakhomenko, a Soviet Music Star
**Summary:**
Maria Pakhomenko, a Leningrad singer, became the USSR's number one star in the 1960s with her unique voice and style. She won the prestigious Golden Orpheus award in 1971, despite the Ministry of Culture's initial reluctance to support her candidacy. However, her success was short-lived. The Soviet establishment, possibly due to jealousy, began to suppress her career. A similar-looking and sounding singer, Valentina Tolkunova, emerged, further eclipsing Pakhomenko. As the Soviet music scene evolved, Pakhomenko failed to adapt and fight for her place, leading to her gradual decline from fame in the 1970s and 1980s. She continued to perform in smaller venues until her eventual resignation to her faded stardom.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences:
1. **Lyudmila Senchina** stole many things from **Maria Pakhomenko**, including dress styles and hairstyles.
2. **Maria Pakhomenko** was the first performer of the hit song "Standing Girls".
3. **Maria Pakhomenko** was a Leningrad singer with a recognizable voice and impeccable taste.
4. Her husband, **Alexander Kolker**, was a composer who dedicated songs to her.
5. **Pakhomenko** released over 2.5 million records in the USSR by 1968.
6. In 1968, **Pakhomenko** received a Jade Record Award in Cannes for highest record circulation worldwide.
7. In the 1960s-70s, **Pakhomenko** was a superstar in the USSR.
8. In 1971, the USSR Ministry of Culture sought a candidate for the Golden Orpheus competition in Bulgaria.
9. **Pakhomenko** was put forward by Leningrad, but Moscow preferred other candidates.
10. **Pakhomenko** was eventually allowed to participate in the Golden Orpheus competition by Minister **Furtseva**.
11. Ministry employees, unhappy with the decision, allocated minimal funds for **Pakhomenko's** trip.
12. Despite this, **Pakhomenko** won the main prize at the Golden Orpheus competition.
13. **Valentina Tolkunova** later appeared on the Soviet stage with a similar image to **Pakhomenko's**.
14. **Tolkunova's** repertoire included patriotic songs, giving her an advantage over **Pakhomenko**.
15. By the mid-1970s, **Pakhomenko** appeared less frequently on central television.
16. **Lyudmila Senchina** is mentioned as another singer who copied **Pakhomenko's** image.
17. **Pakhomenko's** character was not suited for fighting for her creative ambitions or making powerful connections.
18. In the 1980s, **Pakhomenko** hosted programs on Leningrad television and performed in small halls.