Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the most controversial personalities in the world today, primarily for his decision to launch a Russian invasion of Ukraine that resulted in devastations, deaths, displacements, and disruptions.
However, another part of him stirs the curiosity of many-- his alleged relationship with Alina Kabaeva, a former superstar athlete in Russia, dubbed the "Secret First Lady."
According to a report from Page Six, Vladimir Putin's girlfriend Alina Kabaeva is hiding in Switzerland with their four children as the war in Ukraine is making innocent civilians, including kids, suffer.
Here are the facts you may not know about Vladimir Putin's girlfriend:
She's A Decorated Athlete
Kabaeva, who was born in 1983, began rhythmic gymnastics at the age of three and won the European Championships in Portugal at the age of 15. She was the Russian squad's youngest member at the time.
In 1999, she won the European Championship again before winning the World Championship in Osaka.
With two Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals, and 21 European Championship medals, Kabaeva is one of the most decorated gymnasts in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics.
However, her reputation was stained by controversy when Kabaeva and fellow Russian rhythmic gymnast Irina Chashchina were both found guilty of doping in 2001. They were banned from competing for two years.
This meant they couldn't compete from August 2001 to August 2002. They were allowed to compete in official tournaments under very careful supervision during their second year of disqualification.
In 2004, she announced her retirement from the sport, although she returned briefly before retiring officially in 2007.
She made an appearance in an international sporting event in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony as one of six Russian athletes that carried the Olympic torch.
She Was A Politician
National World reported Kabaeva had been a member of Russia's Public Chamber since 2005 and the chairwoman of the National Media Group's Public Council since 2008. Kabaeva represented the United Russia party in the Russian Parliament, the State Duma, from 2007 until 2014.
Kabaeva voted on several controversial bills passed in 2012 and 2013 during her stint as a Member of Parliament.
This included the Anti-Magnitsky Act, which prohibited Russian orphans from being adopted in the United States, and the Russian gay propaganda law, which declared the distribution of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" among children a criminal offense.
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She Tried Modelling and Singing
Kabaeva used her fame as a gymnast to pursue other careers after quitting the sport.She attempted singing, but it didn't work out, per New York Post.
Kabaeva began modeling and even graced the cover of Vogue Russia in a $33,000 gold gown. She was once photographed naked in a fur coat for a magazine and was regarded as one of Russia's most attractive ladies.
She Earns A Lot!
Previously, Kabaeva had been engaged to a policeman called David Museliani in 2004; however, they separated in 2005, according to a story published by Theme For Men. They were set to get married, but their romance became complicated. An investigation revealed that the policeman had suspicious financial activities and was married to another woman. These prompted Kabaeva to end the relationship eventually.
As Vladimir Putin's alleged girlfriend, she now earns more than £7.5million a year as the boss of a pro-Kremlin media giant, according to leaked tax records, as reported by Daily Mail.
She and Putin Have Twins
Kabaeva and Putin are said to have four children together, according to Page Six, which claims they have "two little boys and twin girls who were born in Switzerland", all bearing Swiss passports.
