Ruth Slenczynska, an American classical pianist, died on April 23, 2026.
She was 101. Slenczynska was born in Sacramento, California, on January 15, 1925, and was the last living piano student of Sergei Rachmaninoff.
She studied in Europe from age 4 and later studied with Artur Schnabel, Egon Petri, Alfred Cortot, Josef Hofmann and Rachmaninoff. At 15, she left home and later attended the University of California, Berkeley. After a marriage to George Born ended in divorce in 1953, she taught piano for a living before returning to performing.
Ruth Slenczynska, 101, American classical pianist. (death announced on this date)