Born in Yakutsk, Siberia to musician parents, she embodies resiliency and the ability to reinvent oneself. She was an official pianist of the Soviet regime throughout Europe, before leaving the Soviet Union in the midst of political humiliation and going into exile in 1988. Even though she experienced much drama—the loss of her son, being abandoned by her husband—she doesn’t feel sorry for herself. Rudolph discovers her via videotapes where she comes off as strong and inspiring.