Putin and his wife announce 'joint decision' to end 30-year marriage
Source: Agencies |
June 8, 2013, Saturday
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RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila are ending their 30-year marriage, confirming long-standing speculation that they had separated.
In a rare appearance together on state television on Thursday, Putin was asked about rumors that they no longer lived together and answered: "That is true."
The announcement removes a big question mark about the private life of a president who has increasingly touted traditional values and championed the conservative Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority.
The Putins spoke to Rossiya-24 TV after attending a ballet performance in the Kremlin.
After answering questions at length about the ballet, the Putins were asked about the rumors they lived apart.
"That is true. All my activity is linked to public affairs ... and there are people who are totally incompatible with that," Putin said. He added with a chuckle: "Lyudmila Alexandrovna has done her shift."
Lyudmila said: "Vladimir Vladimirovich is completely submerged in his work. Our children have grown up, each of them is living her own life ... and I truly don't like publicity."
Putin added: "Lyudmila Alexandrovna and I will always remain close - forever, I am sure."
The couple looked nervous as they stood side by side in the Kremlin, speaking to a lone reporter. They referred to each other formally by first name and patronymic, adding a respectful but uncomfortable touch.
Putin smiled woodenly and nodded as Lyudmila spoke, though they both appeared more relaxed after making the announcement.
Lyudmila, a former airline stewardess five years younger than the 60-year-old president, said it had been "our common decision."
"Our marriage is over due to the fact that we barely see each other," she said.
Putin also said it had been "a joint decision."
Neither clarified whether their marriage was legally dissolved, although Lyudmila said it was a "civilized divorce."
The Putins married in 1983 and have two daughters, both in their 20s. The announcement came 13 months into a third presidential term for Putin, who came to power in 2000 and has not ruled out seeking re-election in 2018.
The couple have made only rare, sometimes awkward, appearances together over recent years, prompting media speculation that they had secretly divorced.
In 2008, Putin said there was no truth to a newspaper report that he was preparing to marry Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabayeva, who was born the same year he married Lyudmila.
Putin told journalists to keep their "snotty noses" out of his private life and the newspaper folded shortly afterwards.
In a rare appearance together on state television on Thursday, Putin was asked about rumors that they no longer lived together and answered: "That is true."
The announcement removes a big question mark about the private life of a president who has increasingly touted traditional values and championed the conservative Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority.
The Putins spoke to Rossiya-24 TV after attending a ballet performance in the Kremlin.
After answering questions at length about the ballet, the Putins were asked about the rumors they lived apart.
"That is true. All my activity is linked to public affairs ... and there are people who are totally incompatible with that," Putin said. He added with a chuckle: "Lyudmila Alexandrovna has done her shift."
Lyudmila said: "Vladimir Vladimirovich is completely submerged in his work. Our children have grown up, each of them is living her own life ... and I truly don't like publicity."
Putin added: "Lyudmila Alexandrovna and I will always remain close - forever, I am sure."
The couple looked nervous as they stood side by side in the Kremlin, speaking to a lone reporter. They referred to each other formally by first name and patronymic, adding a respectful but uncomfortable touch.
Putin smiled woodenly and nodded as Lyudmila spoke, though they both appeared more relaxed after making the announcement.
Lyudmila, a former airline stewardess five years younger than the 60-year-old president, said it had been "our common decision."
"Our marriage is over due to the fact that we barely see each other," she said.
Putin also said it had been "a joint decision."
Neither clarified whether their marriage was legally dissolved, although Lyudmila said it was a "civilized divorce."
The Putins married in 1983 and have two daughters, both in their 20s. The announcement came 13 months into a third presidential term for Putin, who came to power in 2000 and has not ruled out seeking re-election in 2018.
The couple have made only rare, sometimes awkward, appearances together over recent years, prompting media speculation that they had secretly divorced.
In 2008, Putin said there was no truth to a newspaper report that he was preparing to marry Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabayeva, who was born the same year he married Lyudmila.
Putin told journalists to keep their "snotty noses" out of his private life and the newspaper folded shortly afterwards.
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