Vladimir Putin had a challenging childhood, growing up in a rat-infested building with parents who adored him but had little to offer him. Since, he has become one of the most-recognised world leaders and is often making headlines for his brutal war against Ukraine. Despite the fact that he is frequently in the news - and was even up for the same award as Taylor Swift and King Charles recently - very little is known about Putin’s personal life.
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7 weeks ago, on 22 October, a Telegram channel known for announcing unverified news claimed that Putin had suffered a cardiac arrest. From that date on, Putin’s alleged long-term girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, hasn’t been seen in public. The same channel, General SVR, recently claimed this was because Putin had died as a result of his cardiac arrest and she was on ‘house arrest’. However, she has now been spotted at her gymnastics academy coaching students. According to reports, she seems to have changed over these few weeks in hiding. Here’s what is different, and what news agencies are speculating is the cause.
Major change in Putin’s secret ‘girlfriend’
Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast herself, runs a training academy for sports stars in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Having been romantically linked to Putin since 2008, it is hard for her to stay out of the eye of the press. She is usually smiley and enthusiastic as she goes about training future hopeful sporting champions.
Now, three videos have been released by the academy, showing Kabaeva looking very different from usual. She has been captured unsmiling, looking stern-faced as she issues instructions brusquely to three female students.
Media specualtion
The media has been quick to do the maths: it’s been around 40 days since she was last seen. The significance of this? This is the mourning period practised by the Russian Orthodox Church. According to Geo News, she was also wearing a wedding ring in the videos. This has, of course, only added fuel to the fire of rumours about a ‘secret’ marriage to Putin, with whom she is rumoured to have three children.
It is important to note that all of these claims are just that: unverified claims. Putin has never publicly acknowledged or announced his ‘relationship’ with Kabaeva. If he ever will remains to be seen.
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Sources used:
Geo News:Alina Kabaeva: Where was Putin's elusive lover before popping up again ?
The Sun: Putin’s ‘secret lover’ Alina Kabaeva looks sombre as she reappears in public after six weeks amid ‘house arrest’ rumours
