Maria Vagatova

Maria Kuzminichna Vagatova (; 28 December 1936 – 15 February 2026), was a first Khanty poetess, also a storyteller, publicist, teacher, editor and journalist.

Life and career Vagatova was born Maria Kuzminichna Voldina on near the village of Yuilsk, Berezovsky District,Ostyak-Vogul National Okrug of the Russian SFSR, then part of the Soviet Union to a family of reindeer herders. She attended the Leningrad State Pedagogical Institute. After graduating she worked as a teacher and in the editorial office of the newspaper Leninskaya Pravda.

Throughout her life, she published a number of poetry collections and fairy tales.

Vagatova died on 15 February 2026, at the age of 90.

Political views In 2022, she signed a letter in support of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

Awards 1987 – Honored Worker of Culture of the RSFSR. 2018 – Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation "Soul of Russia" for contribution to the development of folk art in the category "Traditional Folk Culture.