Maria Klenskaja

Maria Klenskaja (January 29, 1951 – January 6, 2022) was a notable actress from Estonia.

Born in Tartu to Russian parents, Klenskaja began her career in the Estonian State Youth Theatre in Tallinn, working as a make-up artist and in the props department from 1968 to 1970. She later graduated from the Performing Arts Department of the Tallinn State Conservatory in 1974. Following her graduation, she joined the Estonian Drama Theatre as a contracted actress, a position she held for many years. In 1989, she also spent a year performing at the Vanalinnastuudio.

In addition to her stage work, Klenskaja enjoyed a flourishing film career and made appearances on television, as well as in radio theatre productions.

She shared a long-term partnership with actor Aarne Üksküla, lasting over three decades until his passing in 2017. Klenskaja's life came to an end on January 6, 2022, when she passed away at the age of 70 after a prolonged illness. Her contributions to the performing arts have left a lasting impact on the Estonian cultural landscape.