The world recently learned about Liza Rudnova, suspected to be Vladimir Putin's daughter, after her identity was revealed by artist Nastya Rodionova. The revelation came as investigative journalists probed the finances of Putin's alleged mistress, Svetlana Krivonogikh. Despite the controversy, Rudnova continues to work at Parisian galleries, with the gallery owner defending her employment. The story has sparked debates about familial responsibility and the influence of political connections.
The Unveiling of 'Putin's Daughter' in Paris: A Controversial Revelation
The Unveiling of 'Putin's Daughter' in Paris: A Controversial Revelation
Until 2020, no one knew Liza Rudnova. Now, the world suspects she might be Putin's daughter. Artist Nastya Rodionova revealed the 22-year-old's workplace.
Few were aware of Liza Rudnova's existence until Proekt, a Russian investigative journalism team, examined the finances of Putin's alleged mistress, Svetlana Krivonogikh. During this investigation, more details emerged.
She reportedly gave birth to a daughter in 2003 named Elizaveta Vladimirovna Krivonogikh, with Putin allegedly being the father. The couple's relationship dates back to the 1990s, according to Proekt.
Before the revelation, Elizaveta Krivonogikh worked sporadically as a DJ in Moscow. She later mentioned on Club House that she was studying art.
According to Ukrainian Pravda, this was true. However, she had not enrolled at ICART under her real name and failed to graduate despite three years at the school.
Her new name leaked when the travel agency Sirena Travel was hacked. An Elizaveta Rudnova, born on the same day as Putin and Krivonogikh's alleged love child, purchased a flight ticket in 2021.
In October last year, she began working under the name Liza Rudnova for two galleries owned by Dmitri Dolinski, one in central Paris and another in a suburb.
The gallery primarily focuses on showcasing Ukrainian artists in exile.
Rodionova: My Initial Reaction
However, Russian-French artist Nastya Rodionova, who collaborated with the gallery, felt this wasn't enough. On June 4, she posted on social media about the intern's identity.
"My first reaction was emotional; I decided I needed confirmation from the gallery owners, and I got it. Not that she was Putin's daughter, of course, but that she is the Elizaveta (Liza) Rudnova," Nastya Rodionova wrote in an email to Expressen.
Svetlana Krivonogikh is closely connected to Moscow's power sphere and is a multimillionaire. She holds shares in state-owned Russian companies, she points out.
"Belonging to a family that benefits from the regime, at least in Putin's immediate circle, entails some responsibility," says Nastya Rodionova.
"I don't think children are responsible for their parents' actions. But we live in a society divided by countries, political parties, and other institutions. And the family is one of those institutions.
"I didn't want to be part of this story, but I saw no alternative."
The Gallery Owner Stands Firm
The gallery owners who hired Liza Rudnova defended against the criticism.
"Even if we assume without evidence that she is Putin's daughter, should we execute everyone in the family? Should I tell her I can't hire her because of who her mother is? She grew up with her mother and doesn't know who her father is," said CEO Dmitri Dolinski.
He confirms to Expressen that she remains employed.
"Nothing has happened that would cause her not to," he said on Tuesday to Expressen.
Recently, a person claiming to be Liza Rudnova commented on Vladimir Putin via a Telegram account. It would have been the first time she commented on her origins.
Now Bild, which revealed the conversation, has retracted the article after critics suggested the account might be fake.
"Bild is thoroughly investigating these suspicions and retracts the article about Luiza Rozova as a precaution," the newspaper wrote on Tuesday.
Nastya Rodionova, who left the Paris gallery because of Liza Rudnova, states she had already suspected it was a fake account, "everything pointed to it."
"I heard from other journalists that they asked Liza's employer about the account, and she said it wasn't her Instagram. It's really a shame if Bild journalists have become part of someone else's game."