Meet Lyudmila Putina: The Former First Lady of Russia

Once Married to a Soviet Agent, Now a Private Citizen

Vladimir Putin, Russia's current president, was once married to Lyudmila Shkrebneva for 30 years. The couple tied the knot in July 1983 and remained together until their divorce in 2014. Here's a glimpse into the life of Lyudmila Putina, the former first lady of Russia:

From Flight Attendant to First Lady

Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Shkrebneva was born in Kaliningrad, Russian SFSR, on January 6, 1958. She worked as a flight attendant for Aeroflot, the Soviet national airline, before meeting Putin in the early 1980s. The pair married in 1983 and welcomed two daughters, Maria and Yekaterina. After Putin's rise to power, Lyudmila became the first lady of Russia.

A Traditional Marriage in the Kremlin

Lyudmila Putina kept a low profile during her time as first lady. She rarely gave interviews or made public appearances. The couple maintained a traditional marriage, with Lyudmila primarily focused on family life and Putin responsible for political affairs.

The Divorce and Its Aftermath

In 2014, after 30 years of marriage, Putin and Lyudmila announced their divorce. The reasons behind the split were never fully disclosed, but there have been speculations of Putin's extramarital affairs and the couple's growing estrangement. Following the divorce, Lyudmila retreated from public life and has kept a low profile ever since.