Tigran Keosayan, born on January 4, 1966, in Moscow, was a well-known Russian-Armenian film director, TV presenter, and screenwriter.
He became widely recognized for hosting the political satire show International Sawmill and directing popular films like Poor Sasha and Silver Lily of the Valley.
Tigran had a long and successful career in both film and television, and he was known for his bold personality and outspoken views.
He passed away on September 26, 2025, after being in a coma for several months.
Want to know more about who and how he was?
Keep on reading Tigran Keosayan’s Wiki and find out more about his life, wives, kids, family, career, awards, net worth, and facts.
Tigran Keosayan Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Tigran Edmondovich Keosayan |
| Profession | Film director, actor, television presenter/host, writer |
| Age at Death | 59 years old |
| Date of Birth | January 4, 1966 |
| Date of Death | September 26, 2025 |
| Nationality | Russian (of Armenian descent) |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Moscow, RSFSR, USSR (now Russia) |
| Current Address | Yet to be updated |
Tigran Keosayan Wife & Children
Tigran Keosayan was currently married to Margarita Simonyan, one of Russia’s most well-known journalists and the editor-in-chief of RT (formerly Russia Today)
Their relationship began around 2012, while Tigran was still legally married to his first wife. After several years together, Tigran and Margarita made it official and got married on March 3, 2022.
The exact wedding venue has yet to be updated, but the ceremony was known in media circles, as both are public figures in Russian media.
Together, they have built both a personal and professional life, often appearing in the news for their outspoken views and joint projects.
Previous Marriage with Alyona Khmelnitskaya
Before Margarita, Tigran was married to Russian actress Alyona Khmelnitskaya. They got married on August 27, 1993. The couple had a long marriage that lasted over 20 years.
However, their relationship ended in 2014, reportedly due to growing personal differences.
Even after the divorce, Alyona and Tigran have publicly shown mutual respect, especially in matters related to their children.
Children
Tigran Keosayan was a great father of five children, two daughters from his first marriage, and three children with his current wife, Margarita.
Here’s a detailed look at each of them:
Alexandra Keosayan
Alexandra Keosayan is the eldest daughter of Tigran Keosayan and his first wife, actress Alyona Khmelnitskaya. She was born around 1994, during the early years of their marriage.
Alexandra has kept a low profile over the years. There isn’t much public information available about her career or personal life, as she seems to prefer staying away from the spotlight.
Kseniya (Ksenia) Keosayan
Kseniya, also spelled Ksenia, is Tigran’s second daughter from his first marriage. She was born around 2010, many years after her older sister, Alexandra.
Like her sibling, Kseniya also stays out of public view. Her parents have not shared many details about her schooling or interests, and she has not appeared much in the media.
Maryana Keosayan
Maryana is the first child of Tigran Keosayan and his current wife, Margarita Simonyan. She was born on August 12, 2013, during the early years of their relationship.
While her parents are both high-profile media personalities in Russia, Maryana’s life is mostly kept private. She has occasionally appeared in family photos, but they rarely share personal details about her publicly.
Bagrat Keosayan
Bagrat is Tigran’s only son and the second child with Margarita Simonyan. He was born on September 27, 2014. His name reflects the family’s Armenian roots, which are an important part of Tigran’s identity.
Like his sister Maryana, Bagrat is still quite young, and not much is publicly known about his daily life or education. His parents have chosen to give him a childhood away from media attention.
Maro (or Margot) Keosayan
Maro, sometimes referred to as Margot, is the youngest child in the Keosayan family.
She was born on October 19, 2019, and is the third child of Tigran and Margarita. As the baby of the family, Maro is still very young.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wives | Ex-wife: Alyona Khmelnitskaya Current wife: Margarita Simonyan |
| Children | Daughters: Alexandra, Kseniya, Maryana & Margot Son: Bagrat |
Tigran Keosayan Family
Tigran Keosayan comes from a well-known artistic family with deep roots in the Soviet and Russian film industry.
Father
Tigran’s father, Edmond Keosayan, was a well-known Armenian-Soviet film director, screenwriter, and composer.
He gained fame for directing the hit movie trilogy The Elusive Avengers, which became very popular in Soviet cinema.
Edmond’s work made a big impact on Tigran’s life, inspiring him to follow in his footsteps and build a career in film and media.
Mother
Tigran’s mother is Laura Gevorgyan (also spelled Gevorkyan). She was an actress and part of the Soviet arts scene.
Although not as widely recognized as Edmond, Laura played an important role in shaping Tigran’s creative world.
Her influence, along with her husband’s, gave Tigran a strong foundation in the arts from an early age.
Brother
Tigran has a brother named David Keosayan. Not much is publicly known about David’s life or profession, as he stays away from the media spotlight.
Unlike Tigran, David has not been active in the public or entertainment world, and most details about him are private.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Edmond Keosayan Mother: Laura Gevorgyan |
| Siblings | Brother: David Keosayan |
Tigran Keosayan Education
The exact name of Tigran Keosayan’s school is yet to be updated, as there is no confirmed public record of where he completed his early education.
However, since he was born and raised in Moscow, he likely attended school in the city.
Higher Education – VGIK
For his higher studies, Tigran attended the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow, which is one of the oldest and most respected film schools in the world.
He studied film directing there and trained under some of the top professionals in the industry.
His time at VGIK played a big role in shaping his skills as a filmmaker and helped launch his career in the Russian film and television industry.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | VGIK (All‑Union State Institute of Cinematography) |
| Highest Qualification | Degree in film/directing |
Tigran Keosayan Career
Tigran Keosayan began his career as a film director in the early 1990s and quickly rose to fame with films like Poor Sasha (1997).
He directed several well-known movies throughout the 2000s and later moved into television, where he hosted popular talk shows such as With Tigran Keosayan and International Sawmill.
Stepping into Television
While Tigran was doing well in cinema, he also began working in television. In the 2010s, he became the host of a serious talk show called With Tigran Keosayan on REN TV.
His direct and sometimes sharp style made the show popular, especially among viewers who liked bold opinions.
Becoming a Bold TV Personality
In 2016, Tigran started hosting a political satire show called International Sawmill (Mezhdunarodnaya Pilorama) on the NTV channel.
This show was different from traditional news programs; it used humor and sarcasm to talk about global politics, often from a pro-Russian point of view.
Tigran’s strong personality and unique hosting style helped the show stand out. It became a regular feature on Russian TV and is still airing today.
While the show has faced criticism for being too political or controversial, it has also gained a loyal audience.
Other Work in Media
Besides films and TV shows, Tigran has also worked on music videos, commercials, and other creative projects. He’s written articles, produced content, and stayed active in the media world.
His career spans more than 30 years, and he continues to be a familiar name in Russian entertainment and political commentary.
Tigran’s last known active role was as the host of International Sawmill, which he led until 2025.
| Year | Role / Project | Network / Platform |
| 1992 | Director – Katyka and Shiz | Film |
| 1997 | Director – Poor Sasha | Film |
| 2000 | Director – Silver Lily of the Valley | Film |
| 2006 | Director – Hare Over the Abyss | Film |
| 2010s | Host – With Tigran Keosayan | REN TV |
| 2016–Present | Host – International Sawmill | NTV |
Awards and Achievements
Tigran Keosayan has received several awards for his work in film and television.
Here’s a quick look at some of his known achievements:
| Year | Award / Prize | Reason |
| 2001 | Window to Europe Film Festival Prize | For his film work |
| — | TEFI Award | For television/broadcasting excellence |
| — | Kinotavr Prize | For film achievement at the Kinotavr Film Festival |
Controversies
Tigran Keosayan has been involved in several controversies over the years.
Below is a quick overview of the most talked-about incidents and their sources:
| Year | Controversy | Detail |
| 2020 | Blackface Obama Skit | A sketch mocking Barack Obama using blackface on his TV show. |
| 2022 | Threats to Kazakhstan | Warned Kazakhstan it could face the same fate as Ukraine if it strayed from Russia. |
| 2022–2023 | Sanctions by the EU, UK, and Armenia | Sanctioned for promoting Kremlin propaganda related to the Ukraine war. |
| 2022–2024 | Calls for violence against Ukrainians | Accused of justifying the execution of Ukrainians and calling for nuclear attacks. |
Tigran Keosayan Net Worth, Salary
Specific details of Tigran Keosayan’s net worth and annual salary are yet to be updated. He likes to keep his personal details private.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Tigran Keosayan Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Tigran Keosayan stands at around 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall. He has a medium build, with dark hair and brown eyes. His weight and other body measurements are yet to be updated.
| Height | In centimetres: 173 cm In meters: 1.73 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark brown4 |
Also Read: Palina Rojinski Age, Wiki, Relationships, Family, Career, Net Worth
Interesting Facts About Tigran Keosayan
- Tigran Keosayan is the son of the famous Soviet-Armenian director Edmond Keosayan.
- He once directed a music video for the popular Russian singer Philipp Kirkorov.
- Tigran has survived two heart attacks in the past.
- His TV show, International Sawmill, often stirs political debate.
- Keosayan is fluent in both Russian and Armenian.
- He has worked as a screenwriter, director, actor, and talk show host.
FAQs
Who is Tigran Keosayan married to?
Tigran is married to Russian journalist Margarita Simonyan. They made their marriage official in March 2022.
How many children does he have?
He has five children: two daughters from his first marriage and three children with Margarita.
What is Tigran Keosayan known for?
He is best known for his work as a film director and TV host, especially for his show International Sawmill.
Has he been involved in controversies?
Yes, Tigran has faced backlash for political comments and a racist TV sketch, among other issues.
