Who is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mysterious girlfriend Alina Kabaeva?

New Delhi: Rumors have been rife about Russian President Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabaeva’s relationship since he divorced his wife Lyudmila in 2013. Kabaeva, an Olympic gymnast and former Russian lawmaker in her youth, is said to be Putin’s longtime romantic partner.

Putin, 70, is said to have been in a secret relationship with Alina Kabaeva since 2008.

In 2008, a Russian newspaper described Kabaeva as Putin’s girlfriend, but the newspaper was shut down soon after the article was published. Putin then said there was no truth to newspaper reports that he was preparing to marry Alina Kabaeva, who was born in 1983, the same year he married Lyudmila.

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Alina Kabaeva started rhythmic gymnastics at the age of four.

Alina Kabaeva’s chosen discipline was rhythmic gymnastics, where competitors perform routines with the aid of equipment such as ribbons and balls. She started rhythmic gymnastics at the age of four and at her peak was said to be the best in the world.

Kabaeva also had a trick to her name and was the leading performer on a team that dominated the game.

At her peak, Alina Kabaeva was known as ‘the most flexible woman in Russia’.

Alina Kabaeva made her international debut in 1996 and was a surprise winner at the 1998 European Championships. Known as the ‘most flexible woman in Russia’, she also won a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

By the time of her retirement, Kabaeva had amassed 18 World Championship medals and 25 European Championship medals.

She then entered politics and held a seat in the lower house of the Russian Parliament from 2007–2014 with the ruling United Russia party.

Alina Kabaeva is called the mother of Putin’s children

Alina Kabaeva, 39, is believed to be the mother of Vladimir Putin’s four children, whom he has never officially acknowledged.

Although it is not known when she first met Putin, there is a photo of the pair that dates back to 2001 when Putin awarded her the Order of Friendship – a top state honour.

Last year, he was also sanctioned by the US, UK and the European Union for his alleged close personal ties with Putin.

Putin, in particular, has always been extremely private and has shrugged off any questions about his personal life.

Vladimir Putin ended their 30-year marriage in 2013

In 2013, Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, told Russians that their marriage of 30 years was over.

In a rare appearance with Putin on state television, she said, “Our marriage is over due to the fact that we hardly see each other.”

Putin also said that it was ‘a joint decision’.

Lyudmila is a former airline stewardess and five years younger than the Russian President.

Vladimir Putin and ex-wife Lyudmila have two daughters

Vladimir Putin and his ex-wife Lyudmila have two daughters, Katerina and Maria, who are in their early 30s.

While Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova is a technology executive whose work supports the Russian government and its defense industry, Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova leads government-funded programs that have received billions of dollars from the Kremlin for genetics research.