Retired rhythmic gymnast and Putin’s mistress Alina Kabaeva has been touted as a new First Lady (Image: Sasha Mordovets, Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin’s rumoured mistress is reportedly attempting to emulate the Princess of Wales and Melania Trump, as she potentially emerges as Russia’s new First Lady.
The much younger Olympic gold medallist gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 42, has allegedly been Putin’s clandestine partner for the past 18 years, despite the 30-year age gap.
Speculation is now mounting that her position in Putin’s life, previously vehemently denied by the Kremlin, is slowly being made official, with suggestions they might even go public.
Most recently, she featured prominently during his four-day Chinese visit this month, appearing without any confirmation that she was Putin’s companion. Acting on his behalf, she unveiled new film Red Silk, a espionage thriller highlighting the strong ties between Russia and China.
Russia’s President Putin has put Alina Kabaeva at the forefront in recent events (Image: Contributor, Getty Images)
This follows conjecture that Kabaeva has undergone extensive facial surgery alongside a complete style transformation, the Mirror reports.
Russian fashion authority Natasha Kiseleva remarked: “Before, [Alina Kabaeva’s] style was similar to that of a governor’s or an MP’s wife. It was mature, and frankly speaking, it didn’t suit her very well.
“But now she has become much fresher and younger, even in her clothing style. We can look at the dress she appeared in while in Beijing – it is absolutely Kate Middleton’s style, or even a bit of Melania Trump. It is decisively the style of a First Lady.
“I don’t know whether she is preparing to publicly come out as the First Lady. I don’t think she will succeed in that, because being locked away from the media for so long never passes without leaving a trace.”
Alina Kabaeva represented Russia at the Olympics for close to a decade before moving into politics (Image: Stephane Mantey, Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabaeva, who share two sons, Ivan, ten, and Vladimir Jnr, six, both budding gymnasts, have always kept their relationship under wraps. Despite her status as a public figure in Russia, the Moscow media is forbidden from discussing her relationship with Putin.
However, Kabaeva’s recent change in fashion has caught the attention of many. Russian TV presenter Renat Davletgildeev revealed on his YouTube show We Can Explain: “An Italian brand…. is among [Alina] Kabaeva’s favourites. For example, here is her recent appearance, at the end of August. Alina is in a strict trouser suit, blouse, and scarf – all of this is Dolce and Gabbana. The set cost 5,000 euros [£4,335]….”
Despite Putin’s disdain for the West, Kabaeva has a penchant for French and Italian labels. “Among the iconic French heritage brands, Kabaeva prefers Chanel and Dior, with vintage bags from [Chanel],” Davletgildeev added. And it seems money is no object, with prices for these items reaching into the tens of thousands of euros.
Kabaeva joined the pro-Putin United Russia Party after retiring from gymnastics (Image: Getty)
Davletgildeev also showcased examples of dresses and blouses, including a Dior piece “in the best traditions of Christian Dior himself.” He highlighted one particular blouse with a price tag of $3,500 [£2,580].”
Speaking to his three million Russian followers on Khodorkovsky.Live, Davletgildeev observed: “If you carefully look at [Alina] Kabaeva’s recent photos from the past few months, it becomes obvious that she has started looking much better. Well-informed Moscow socialites [say] Kabaeva has had a full facelift.”
Davletgildeev told his three million Russian followers on Khodorkovsky.Live: “This is a type of plastic surgery where they cut away a centimetre of skin and pull the face tight like this. Usually, it is done around the age of 40. Plastic surgeons do not recommend doing it before 40.”
Alina Kabaeva pictured at the 2018 Winter Olympics, bedecked in jewels (Image: Mikhail Svetlov, Getty Images)
At 42, Kabaeva was at the perfect age for such a procedure, Davletgildeev noted: “The perfect time, the perfect time, so apparently, she decided to do this expensive and complex operation. But in fact, I can compliment her, because she really has started to look better.”
However, she has been impacted by Putin’s war and the sanctions imposed on Russia. “Sanctions hit Kabaeva’s favourite hobby – travel,” reported the channel Khodorkovsky.Live. “Before the war she often flew to European countries, chartering business jets (for example, Challenger and Cessna).
“The cost of one such flight could reach two million roubles [almost £18,000]. The gymnast flew to Milan, Munich and Lugano, where she gave birth to her first son by Putin. But now her flights are limited to the [ex-Soviet Union] and Asian countries.”