'It's over': Putin and wife announce divorce
President Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila,
told Russians on Thursday that their 30-year marriage was over,
confirming speculation that they had separated.
The announcement removes a big question mark about the private life of a president who has increasingly touted traditional values and championed the conservative Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority.
President Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, told Russians on Thursday that their 30-year marriage was over, confirming speculation that they had separated.
In a rare appearance together on state television, Putin was asked about rumours that they no longer lived together and answered: "That is true."
The announcement removes a big question mark about the private life of a president who has increasingly touted traditional values and championed the conservative Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority.
"Our marriage is over due to the fact that we barely see each other," she said. Putin also said it had been "a joint decision".
The Putins married in 1983 and have two daughters, both in their 20s. The announcement comes one year into a third presidential term for Putin, who has not ruled out seeking re-election in 2018.
The couple have made only rare, sometimes awkward, appearances together over recent years, prompting media speculation that they had secretly divorced.
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