On August 24, 1991, millions of Ukrainians gathered in front of their television screens, waiting for news that would change the country's history forever. That day, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine — a decision supported by 321 deputies. Yet few remember who exactly announced this event on live television. Exactly 35 years later, on August 24, 2026, the name of Svitlana Bilonozhko remains inextricably linked to one of the key moments in Ukraine's statehood.
The historic broadcast: “This will be my last day on television”
For Bilonozhko, August 24, 1991, began as an ordinary workday. She came to the television station, prepared for the broadcast, and had no idea that within a few hours she would have to read a text that would go down in history. The station management informed her that she was the one who had to announce the Act of Declaration of Independence. According to the broadcaster herself, at first she did not understand why the task had been entrusted to her, since the UT-1 channel had other experienced presenters as well. However, on that day some of her colleagues were on vacation or ill, and the historic mission fell to Bilonozhko.
“I was so nervous that I thought: this will be my last day on television. How much responsibility there is! Everyone will be watching this. But I realized I had no choice, I calmed myself down and announced this important news to the whole country,” she recalled. The text of the Act was handed to her on an ordinary sheet of white paper. After the broadcast, the editor took the document away — that is how they handled working materials back then. Bilonozhko herself did not manage to photograph that moment. Her husband Vitaliy recorded the broadcast on video, but that recording has never since become available to the general public.
Television and music: the career that made her a household name
Television had been an important part of Bilonozhko's life long before August 24, 1991. She worked as a broadcaster for about 14 years and hosted not only the news. Viewers of UT-1 could see her in the programs “Vechnia Kazka” (Evening Tale), “Moda-Moda,” “Muzychnyi Teleiarmarok” (Music Bazaar), “Zychymo Shchastia” (We Wish You Happiness), and other projects. It was her television career that made her recognizable, and over time Bilonozhko increasingly focused on music.
Her creative path is inextricably linked to her husband Vitaliy Bilonozhko. Together they created one of the most famous family duos in Ukrainian show business, and in 1999 they founded the family creativity festival “Melodia Dvokh Serets” (Melody of Two Hearts). The couple had two sons. Svitlana Bilonozhko was awarded the title of People's Artist of Ukraine in 1995, and People's Artist — in 1999.
After the loss: how the artist preserves her husband's legacy
In January 2024, Vitaliy Bilonozhko passed away. After his death, Svitlana continues to uphold his creative legacy. In 2025, the artist spoke about a new song she dedicated to her husband and confessed that she now “lives for this work.” She is also working on a book about Vitaliy, participates in charity events and concerts. Despite her advanced age — she is 68 today — Bilonozhko continues to record new songs and perform in concerts.
Helping the army and everyday matters: life in 2026
Bilonozhko remains active in the media space as well: she gives interviews, speaks about Ukrainian music, language, and the modern show business. Equally important, the artist actively supports the Ukrainian army. She takes part in charity concerts where funds are raised for the needs of the defense forces, and she also performs for the defenders, including near the front line. When it comes to commercial performances, she arranges to direct part of her fee to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In May 2026, Bilonozhko also told journalists about her pension — according to her, it amounts to 11,600 hryvnia. At the same time, the artist continues to work and earn additional income thanks to her creative work. In an interview, she noted that for her, creativity is not just a profession but a way of life and a way to stay connected with her audience.
Contradictory data
No significant discrepancies in the key facts were found in the provided sources. The date of the Act's adoption (August 24, 1991), the number of deputies who voted (321), the artist's titles (Honored Artist — 1995, People's Artist — 1999), the date of the festival's founding (1999), and the date of Vitaliy Bilonozhko's death (January 2024) are consistent across the Styler and Unian materials. The only nuance: the Styler article states that Bilonozhko “worked as a broadcaster for about 14 years” in the context of the period before 1991, whereas the exact date of the start of her career on UT-1 is not specified in the sources. The pension amount (11,600 hryvnia) is confirmed by two sources and refers to May 2026.
