Is Alina Kabaeva Really Dating Vladimir Putin? Facts About The Olympian

• Alina Kabaeva is a Russian politician and former rhythmic gymnast rumored to be the girlfriend of Russian president Vladimir Putin. 
• The 42 year-old allegedly has four children who were fathered by her rumored longtime lover, Vladimir Putin.
• Before Alina become a politician and media manager, she was admired as one of the most accomplished gymnasts in rhythmic gymnastics: she received 2 Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals, and 21 European Championship medals.

Alina Kabaeva is a Russian politician, media manager, and former gymnast. She was first rumored to be the mistress of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in 2008. Alina recorded huge success as a rhythmic gymnast before she retired in 2004.

She began a career in politics after retiring from gymnastics and served as a member of the Russian Parliament for eight years; she was also a State Duma Deputy from United Russia. In 2014, she took up a role as the chairperson of the National Media Group.

One area of her life that has been shrouded in secrecy is her love life, especially in terms of the rumored relationship between her and Vladimir Putin. Following the Russian-Ukraine war of 2022, it circulated that Vladimir Putin is hiding Alina Kabaeva and the kids they had together in Switzerland. Is there any truth to that?

What We Know About Alina Kabaeva and Vladimir Putin’s Rumored Relationship

Since Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and his ex-wife Lyudmila Putina announced their divorce during a broadcast interview, Alina Kabaeva has been upheld in several quarters as the woman who has occupied Putin’s heart. It was in April 2008 that it was first reported by the Moskovsky Korrespondent that the two are not only lovers but were engaged.

Although the report was debunked, the fact that the newspaper was later shut down fueled the speculations about Alina and Vladimir being a couple. More so, the former gymnast was spotted with a wedding ring on different occasions in 2014.

Reliable sources have claimed that the pair share multiple children though none have been seen in public. Following the Russian-Ukraine war, it was claimed by these sources that Alina Kabaeva and the kids she has had with the Russian president are hiding in Switzerland. If one must believe everything that has been reported about the two, then they are married: they reportedly exchanged vows in a private Russian Orthodox ceremony.

Vladimir Putin is very private and concerned about his family’s safety. He kept his two daughters from his ex-wife Lyudmila under fake IDs, refraining from calling them by their names or talking to them in public. He once said, “I have a private life in which I do not permit interference; it must be respected…”.

The 42 Years Old Was Born to Professional Athletes in Toshkent Shahri, Uzbekistan

Alina Maratovna Kabayeva was born on the 12th of May 1983 in Toshkent Shahri, Uzbekistan. She was born to Marat Kabayev, a former professional football player from Tarta and a Russian mother who was a basketball player. Alina grew up in different places as her father was always moving around because of his sporting engagements.

She spent her early years first in Uzbekistan, then Kazakhstan, and finally Russia. After high school, she proceeded to Moscow State University where she studied management in hotel and construction business. Alina was raised as a Muslim but converted to Christianity in 2003.

Raised in a sports family, she got enrolled to train in rhythmic gymnastics at age three with coach Margarita Samuilovna. She made her international debut in 1996 and at the age of 15, Alina won the European Championships in Portugal: she was the youngest member of the Russian team.

Alina Kabaeva is one of the most successful and accomplished gymnasts in the history of rhythmic gymnastics, thanks to her flexibility and agility.

Alina Kabaeva Is Russia’s Most Successful Female Rhythmic Gymnast

Alina, whom many coaches rejected at first for being too heavy and ugly for rhythmic gymnastics, became a star in 1998 when she won a Gold medal at Goodwill Games in New York.

She dominated the sport and went on to bag 2 Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals, and 21 European Championship medals. This saw her become one of the most successful gymnasts in the history of rhythmic gymnastics.

A Pose in Rhythmic Gymnastics Was Named after Her

Alina’s exploits in rhythmic gymnastics were revolutionary. She performed with jaw-dropping flexibility and agility, so much that she became known as the flexible woman in Russia.

In one of her gymnastic performances, she presented a new pose which subsequently became known as the Kabaeva pose.

Without a doubt, Alina is Russia’s most successful and accomplished female rhythmic gymnastics. While her career as a gymnast was phenomenal, it wasn’t rosy all through.

She Tested Positive for a Banned Diuretic

In 2001, then 19-year-old Alina was banned after it was determined that she was involved in doping. Alina tested positive for a diuretic, Furosemide.

Because of that, she was disqualified for two years alongside Irina Chashchina and was denuded of all the 2001 Goodwill Games and World Cup awards.

They were not allowed to engage in any part of the competition. However, in the second year of disqualification, they were allowed to participate in official tournaments under strictly established rules.

Alina Kabaeva Retired to Become a Politician and Is Now a Mother of Four

The former rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin reportedly welcomed twin daughters in February 2015 in Switzerland; and twin boys in April 2019 at the Kulakov maternity clinic in Moscow. Alina was reportedly accommodated as Putin’s guest on the fourth floor of the Kulakov Research Centre. She disappeared from the limelight after news about the birth of her sons circulated.

As a politician, she represented the United Russia Party as a member of the Russian Parliament between 2007 and 2014. It is said that she enacted several controversial laws and became a close advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, she resigned and took up a role as the chairperson of the largest Russian media conglomerate, National Media Group.

Read Also: Vladimir Duthiers Biography, Is He Married? Family, Net Worth

She Is Also a Bit of an Actress and Singer

Alina is a woman of many talents. More than being a former gymnast and model, she is also an entertainer. The charming rumored partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin recorded a song in 2010 titled Believe in Yourself.

She also appeared in the 2001 Japanese film, Red Shadow, wherein she recreated her gymnastic moves as part of the movie.

Alina Kabaeva appeared on the cover of Vogue Russia in January 2011 and once served as the presenter of Empire of Sports. 

Complete profile of Alina Kabaeva