Russia's First Couple Split After 30 Years of Marriage

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, announced Thursday on nationwide television that their marriage is over, ending years of media speculation about the couple’s relationship. The announcement followed the Putins’ joint outing to a ballet performance – the first time they had been seen in public since the president’s inauguration in May 2012.

Both Putins said the reason for their split was the president’s work, which consumes most of his time and requires a very public lifestyle.
Photo: Lyudmila Putin, right, at the president’s inauguration in May 2012.

“All my activity, all [my] work is connected to being in the public eye,” the president said. “Some people like this, some don’t, but there are people who are completely incompatible with this,” he said, adding that Lyudmila had borne the burden of being a first lady for nine years.
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin taking part in the nationwide census at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow in October 2010.

“This really was our mutual decision,” Lyudmila Putin said. “I really do dislike life in the public eye and air travel is very difficult for me. And we hardly see each other.”
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin before an informal dinner with US President George W. Bush and Laura Bush in St.Petersburg. July 2006.

The Putins pointed out that their two daughters are grown up, but that the family remains close.
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin upon the arrival in Madrid, Spain. February 2006.

“We all have very good relations, and I’m very grateful to Vladimir Vladimirovich for still being supportive of me, and the children,” Lyudmila Putin said. “He takes very good care of the children, and the children always feel this.”
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin in Moscow. May 2005.

The announcement put an end to years of speculation about the strength of the Putins’ marriage, fueled by the first lady’s increasingly rare appearances in public over the past five years.
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin voting in the presidential election in March 2004.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no official divorce had been drawn up yet, and he did not know when it would be, but he attached little importance to the formality.
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin in December 2003.

The Putins have been married for just under 30 years.
Photo: Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin visiting Taj Mahal, India, in October 2000.

Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin at the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin after Putin's first inauguration ceremony in May 2000.

Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin meeting with former US President George Herbert Walker Bush and his wife Barbara at the Bocharov Ruchei residence near Sochi. September 2003.

Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh in London. June 2003.