"Abuse" and "Unfaithful" : When Putin's Ex Wife Revealed Why Her Marriage with Russian President Fell Apart

IN 1983, Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Shkrebneva, a Russian linguist and a flight attendant got married. According to several sources, the couple had been married for 30 years, despite constant rumours about their relationship status. His wife, Lyudmila stated that he was an unfaithful and abusive husband during their marriage. She further mentioned that her husband was a "serial womaniser" and abusive shortly after they tied the knot in 1983. They got separated in 2014. The couple mentioned that they were separating because they ‘barely saw each other and talked to each other’ because of Vladimir Putin’s hectic work schedule and meetings.

His wife had rarely been seen in public outings, prompting media speculation about their marriage. They made their divorce public on Russian state television after attending a ballet show at the State Kremlin Palace. In a television statement, Putin said, “It was a joint decision: we hardly see each other, each of us has our own life.” The divorce was ‘civilized’ and the couple would "always remain close", Lyudmila further added.

The news of Vladimir and Lyudmila came as a shock to many Russians, who were not used to seeing their leaders getting divorced. Although, Russia has one of the highest divorce rates in the world. Vladimir and Lyudmila had two daughters-Maria and Yekaterina in their 20s, and had last been seen at Putin's inauguration to his third presidential term in May, 2012. 

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Vladimir Putin’s Re-marriage in 2008

In 2008, a Moscow newspaper reported that Putin was about to marry an Olympic gymnast turned legislator Alina Kabaeva, who is 31 years younger than him. The Moscow newspaper report was denied by Putin and soon after the publication of the report, under the pressure, the publication closed down shortly. Several bloggers said that Alina Kabaeva had given birth to Putin’s child later on. According to UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, Putin said that there is no truth in any of the allegations concerning Kabayeva and his marriage 

During the first presidential term of Vladimir Putin between 2000-2004, he took his wife, Lyudmila-she was a flight attendant, on foreign trips and vacations. However, throughout his second term, he did not travel with his wife anywhere and did most of his visits solo.

Putin replied to the reporter, "There is not a word of truth in what you say." "I have always treated those who poke their noses and their erotic fantasies into someone else's life,” he further added. In the year 2008, he publicly denied claims that he was about to divorce his wife and marry Alina Kabaeva. During his visit to Italy and while standing alongside – fittingly – Silvio Berlusconi, former Prime Minister of Italy, he was asked about the divorce story by a female reporter.

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Vladimir Putin admits that his wife 'Cried All Day’

In his autobiography, Vladimir Putin admits that his wife "cried all day” when she realized that her family’s private life was over as Putin became the President of Russia in the year 2000.

His Ex wife, Lyudmila wanted to build an active role to match her husband, but she kept in his shadows because he allegedly thought she should "be more modest and not stick out". Working for almost 16 to 17 hours in a day took his family and personal life away. Just weeks before their 31st wedding anniversary, they announced that they are separating. 

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