Leyla Farruz gizi Shikhlinskaya was born in Moscow. She studied at a choreography school and at the Theatre Studies Faculty of GITIS. She worked as a ballerina on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after M. F. Akhundov, and as ballet mistress of the "Dyagilev-balet" troupe (1990–1992). As a teacher and choreographer she worked with the USSR Olympic gymnastics teams. For many years she taught at the choreography school of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. She is the author of more than 100 scholarly articles on the history and development of Azerbaijani choreography and ballet art. Since 1992 she has been the artistic director of "Şeyla", an experimental ballet creative centre she founded in Moscow. In 1999 she founded, and for a time headed, "Leyla Şıxlinskayanın Klinikası". She played the role of Madame de Fervaques in the Russian-made television series "Qırmızı və qara" (1976, directed by Sergei Gerasimov). She holds a candidate's degree in art studies (1987) and a doctorate in art studies, is an Honoured Artist (1993), and a People's Artist. She created the memorable image of Gulchohra in the film "Arşın mal alan" (1965). Leyla Shikhlinskaya also appeared opposite Hasan Mammadov in the feature film "Gün keçdi". As a teacher and choreographer she worked with the USSR Olympic gymnastics teams. For many years she taught at the choreography school of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Leyla Shikhlinskaya is also the author of more than 100 scholarly articles on the history and development of Azerbaijani choreography and ballet art. Since 1992 she has been the artistic director of "Şeyla", an experimental ballet creative centre she founded in Moscow. Although Leyla Shikhlinskaya's life has been tied to the arts, her family included many doctors. Her childhood, spent in that environment, led her in 1999 to found Leyla Shikhlinskaya's Clinic, which became one of the first private clinics in Azerbaijan. In 1987 she was awarded the degree of Candidate of Art Studies, and later that of Doctor of Art Studies. In 1993 she was awarded the honorary title of "Honoured Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan", and in 1998 the honorary title of "People's Artist".
