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While an official confirmation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabaeva's romance has never been made, it's widely believed they've been together since at least 2008. And an intriguing new report suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin gave out top jobs in the Russian government and state-run companies to at least 20 members of his inner circle, including his former lovers. Although he is one of the world's most recognised figures, Putin is notoriously private about his personal life, particularly when it comes to his rumoured 'Golden Girl' Alina. The 73-year-old authoritarian leader is reportedly in a long-term relationship with Alina Kabaeva, a renowned gymnast who boasts two Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals and 21 European Championship medals. It's alleged that the couple share two young sons, Ivan Putin, 10, and Vladimir Putin (junior), six. The boys are said to live a life of luxury, isolated from other children their age. Independent investigative media outlet Dossier Centre claims the existence of their two sheltered yet privileged sons is an open secret. Kabaeva is thought to be one of Russia's richest women, with a hidden property empire estimated to be worth at least £81.85 million. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Kabaeva received secret payments from a military unit connected to the dictator when she was only 17 years old - eight years before their alleged relationship was first reported on. According to We Can Explain, Kabaeva and her family have reportedly enjoyed considerable wealth due to her allegedly close relationship with Putin. Formally a pro-Putin MP, Kabaeva went on to head a Kremlin-friendly media group. Her last known annual salary was approximately £8million. "Taxpayer money funds the lavish lifestyle of his secret family. A home for Kabaeva was built on state property [and] her real estate is gifted by Putin's friends who profit from government contracts," the report reads. "She is paid by companies engaged in propaganda and deceit... t's no secret that Alina Kabaeva is one of the wealthiest women in Russia . However, her wealth and assets are carefully concealed. Her penthouses and mansions are registered under various proxies and offshore entities. Despite essentially serving as a First Lady, Kabaeva does not disclose her income. Yet even from official records, she is listed as owning several apartments in Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as two mansions." However, Kabaeva's supposed lavish lifestyle isn't without its challenges. As reported by the Dossier Centre, Putin, who is officially divorced from his first wife, Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Ocheretnaya, has taken measures to keep Kabaeva and his alleged secret sons out of the public eye. When she attends Putin's hockey matches, the 42-year-old is said to watch from a private box hidden behind tinted glass, separated from his entourage. Kabaeva is thought to live at Putin's palace in Valdai, a notoriously freezing town north of Moscow. The vast, heavily protected compound is encircled by woodland, and it's here where, according to one pop tune, Kabaeva is "dancing there, behind a little invisible door". According to certain analysts, Kabaeva's current existence is markedly different from what she might have once imagined. Nina Khrushcheva, an international affairs professor at the New School in New York, told The Atlantic: "Kabaeva must have thought she would become a queen, but turned out a prisoner. This is the Kremlin's tragedy." Rumours started swirling about Putin and Kabaeva in 2008, when the recently launched Moscow Correspondent claimed that Putin was planning to marry Kabaeva at a Royal palace in St Petersburg. At the time, Putin dismissed what he called tittle-tattle, stating: "I have a private life in which I do not permit interference. It must be respected." He then criticised "those who, with their snotty noses and erotic fantasies, prowl into others' lives". Alexander Lebedev, the owner of the newspaper, shut it down shortly after the incident, but editor Grigory Nekhoroshev stood firm on the allegations made in the article. Despite Putin's fiery outrage, journalists from independent Russian media outlets such as Dossier, Project Media, Meduza, and The Insider continued to probe into the relationship, with some even uncovering a private railway reportedly used by Kabaeva for her travels to and from Putin's secluded Valdai retreat. In contrast to Putin, Kabaeva has been slightly more forthcoming about her personal life. During an appearance on the children's TV programme One Hundred Questions for Adults, Kabaeva was seen chuckling when a young lad asked if she had met her "ideal man", to which she responded, "I have". While Kabaeva didn't mention a name, she did share that "he's a very good man, a great man", confessing: "I love him very much. Kabaeva then expressed: "Sometimes you feel so happy that you even feel scared". This follows a detailed exposé published on the Proekt investigative website, showing how those close to Putin have benefited from his influence. Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
