Putin's Secret Women Step into the Spotlight As Mistress Takes on New Role

In a surprising twist, Alina Kabaeva, the Olympic gymnastics champion often linked to Vladimir Putin, has stepped out of her reclusive lifestyle to embrace a new public role. This move comes as other women in Putin's inner circle also begin to make headlines, drawing attention to their connections with the Russian president.

At 41, Kabaeva is rumored to have two sons with the 72-year-old Putin, although the Russian leader has consistently denied any relationship with her. Their children, Ivan, aged nine, and Vladimir junior, aged five, have remained out of the public eye, reportedly living a sheltered life within the confines of a palace.

Despite her past, Kabaeva, who is said to have parted ways with Putin over a year ago, is now stepping into the limelight as the head coach of the national rhythmic gymnastics team. This new position is expected to bring her more into the public gaze, a significant shift from her previously private existence.

Interestingly, Kabaeva is not the only one making waves. Putin's alleged daughters, Katerina Tikhonova, 37, and Maria Vorontsova, 39, made a surprising appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) last June. An ex-CIA operative suggested that their public appearances might be a strategic move by Putin as he contemplates his own mortality.

Adding to the intrigue, Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22, is believed to be Putin's youngest child. Known for her DJing hobby, she is the daughter of Svetlana, who was once a cleaner before her relationship with Putin. Svetlana has since become one of Russia's wealthiest women, owning a major bank.

However, Krivonogikh's journey has not been without its challenges. After facing backlash in 2023, she reportedly spent her 20th birthday in hiding. Yet, reports surfaced last June indicating that she was making appearances as a DJ under pseudonyms while pursuing art management studies in Paris, according to MoscowTimes.

Another relative of Putin, Anna Tsivileva, who is said to be a cousin once removed, has also faced scrutiny. The Deputy Minister of Defence inadvertently revealed that there could be around 50,000 Russian troops unaccounted for in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, further complicating the narrative surrounding Putin's family.

Kabaeva's new role comes after the departure of her former coach, Irina Viner, who had a distinguished career, including mentoring Kabaeva to Olympic gold in 2004. Kabaeva's foray into public life began with the announcement of the international association of rhythmic gymnastics clubs, named Heavenly Grace. Shortly after, an academy with the same name was established under Putin's guidance.

In a significant gesture, Russia's state-owned energy giant Gazprom provided Kabaeva with a building valued at 2 billion rubles (approximately $22 million) to support the development of her academy. Kabaeva made a notable appearance at Putin's inauguration in May last year, following another controversial election. The lavish ceremony, held in the Kremlin with 2,500 guests, was attended by prominent figures from various sectors.

While many anticipated Kabaeva would remain in the shadows, she surprised everyone by attending the event with several young students from her gymnastics academy in Sochi. Photos of the group surfaced online, but not without criticism. Posted on a fan Instagram account dedicated to Kabaeva, the images drew attention for her choice of attire—a black dress with a large white collar, which many deemed unflattering.

The group photo, featuring Kabaeva and the young girls in matching outfits, sparked further commentary. One observer remarked, “Alina looks like the director of an orphanage! She has no elegance, wearing festive clothes at sports events, and when she goes to the Kremlin, she looks like she’s in maid’s attire.”

In a recent development, Putin hinted at his rumored young family during his end-of-year Q&A session with the media. He mentioned enjoying fairy tale films with "my little ones," a phrase that was later translated by state-run channel RT as "my junior family members." This comment has fueled speculation about the extent of his family ties.

While discussing patriotic films, Putin emphasized the importance of societal unity, stating, "And considering such a unifying uplift of society, the kind of uplift that brings people together, is, of course, very important." The ongoing revelations about Kabaeva and other women in Putin's life continue to captivate public interest, shedding light on the complex dynamics within the Russian leader's inner circle.