Silvia Laidla, born Silvia Lazarus in 1927, was an acclaimed Estonian actress whose career spanned almost six decades. She began her professional journey in theatre after graduating from the Lutasharsky National Institute of Theatrical Arts in Moscow. Laidla was a prominent figure at the Estonian Drama Theatre and later the Tallinn City Theatre, performing in a wide array of plays by both international and Estonian playwrights.

Her career extended to television and film, where she appeared in numerous productions, including the long-running ETV drama series 'Õnne 13' and notable films like 'Kevade' and 'Don Juan Tallinnas'. Laidla also contributed to radio theatre and recorded spoken-word poetry. She received significant recognition for her artistic contributions, including the honorary title Merited Artist of the Estonian SSR and the Order of the White Star IV Class. Silvia Laidla passed away in 2012 at the age of 84.

Born Silvia Lazarus in Valga in 1927, she was the youngest of two children. Her mother passed away when she was six years old. In 1935, her family adopted the surname Laidla. She completed her secondary education in 1946 and then pursued drama studies at the prestigious GITIS in Moscow, graduating in 1953 alongside notable Estonian actors.

Upon returning to Estonia in 1953, Laidla commenced her acting career at the Estonian Drama Theatre. Her debut role was in Maxim Gorky's 'Barbarians'. She dedicated eleven years to this theatre before moving to the Estonian SSR State Youth Theatre from 1966 to 1983. She later returned to the Estonian Drama Theatre until 1992. In her later years, she became involved with the Salon Theatre in Tallinn. Her extensive stage work included roles in plays by Shakespeare, Molière, Arthur Miller, and many others, as well as by prominent Estonian writers.

Silvia Laidla made her television debut as a narrator in a 1965 documentary. Her first acting role on television was in the 1968 film 'Aunt Rose'. She also appeared in historical television films such as 'Between Three Plagues'. Television viewers likely remember her most for her role as Erna Sumberg in the ETV drama series 'Õnne 13', a role she held from 2001 until her death. In film, she debuted in the 1969 adaptation of 'Spring' and appeared in several other films, including 'Windy Beach' and 'Don Juan Tallinnas', and her final film role was in 'Dear Mister Moon' in 1998.

Beyond stage, television, and film, Laidla also lent her voice to radio theatre productions, including works by Juhan Sütiste and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Shortly before her passing in 2012, she worked as a humorist for a public broadcasting program. In 1975, she participated in recording spoken-word poetry by Marie Under. Laidla was married twice; her first marriage was to writer Silver Anniko, and her second to lawyer Jakob Lurje. She never remarried after Lurje's death and had no children. She died at 84 and was buried in Tallinn.