TEMPO.CO, Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, will get a divorce after having been married for 30 years. The divorce was directly announced by Putin, Thursday, on Russian state television after the couple attended a ballet performance together in Kremlin. "We have decided (to divorce)," said Putin (60).
Putin married Lyudmila on July 28, 1983. They have 2 daughters, Maria (27) and Yekaterina (26). Declaring his marriage failure on television, Putin was accompanied by Lyudmila (55), who gave a smile in front of the camera once in a while.
Inquired by a reporter from television station Rossiya-24 regarding a rumour that predicted their marriage to break up soon, Putin confirmed, "It is correct, we would never be seen together again. We have chosen to separate." Lyudmila added, "Our marriage lasted pretty long, but it has become apparent that we are living our own lives."
Asked whether their marriage had legally ended, Lyudmila replied, "This is a civilized divorce." Lyudmila rarely appears along her husband in public. "I really do not like publicity. Flights are difficult for me," she said. After the divorce announcement on television, Lyudmila added, "We have a very good relation. I am very grateful to Vladimir for whatever support he's been giving me."
The divorce announcement was immediately responded by rumors spread by major medias in Russia, that once considered it taboo to discuss the topic. A newspaper in Moscow owned by millionaire Alexander Lebedev reported that back in 2008 Putin was going to marry an Olympic gymnast who became a parliament member, Alina Kabaeva. She is 31-year younger than him.
Even further, some bloggers wrote that Aiina Kabaeva gave birth to a baby boy from her relationship with Putin. The rumor enraged the president, asserting the rumor was completely false. The last time Putin and his wife made a joint appearance was in May 2012 after he was elected as president for the 3rd time.
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