**Margarita Terekhova** (Moscow, August 25, 1942) is a Soviet and Russian actress, among the most iconic of her time. She is universally recognized for her intense performance in Andrei Tarkovsky's masterpiece, *The Mirror* (Zerkalo, 1975), where she embodied both the protagonist's mother and wife, demonstrating a rare ability to express psychological complexity and vulnerability.

Beyond this ethereal and cerebral role, Terekhova shone in a variety of genres. Notable among these are her lively performance in the musical *The Dog in the Manger* (Sobaka na sene, 1978) and the historical drama *The Captain of the Gypsy Camp* (Kapitan tabora, 1967). Her acting style was characterized by profound elegance, intelligence, and a magnetic stage presence, often choosing roles of strong, enigmatic women with rich inner lives.