Elza Igorevna Tikhonova: Inside the Secret Life of Vladimir Putin’s Granddaughter
Investigative journalists from the publication Proekt have uncovered new details regarding an eight-year-old granddaughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin named Elza Igorevna Tikhonova, born to Katerina Tikhonova and ballet master Igor Zelensky. According to leaked Federal Border Service databases analyzed by Proekt, the child uses her mother’s fabricated surname while retaining her father’s patronymic name.
Tikhonova, who heads the Innopraktika foundation and is Putin’s youngest daughter from his former marriage to Lyudmila Putina, is known for her affection for Hollywood culture. Researchers suggest that her daughter’s name honors Princess Elsa from the animated film Frozen, drawing a parallel to Tikhonova’s wedding to her first husband, Kirill Shamalov, where she performed a song from the American animated film Anastasia.
Private Jet Travel and Elite Entourage
Flight records retrieved from leaked databases show that Elza Tikhonova traveled to Munich in November 2019 aboard a business jet operated by the German airline Air Hamburg, now known as VistaJet, shortly before her second birthday. Two years later, the child flew to Croatia on a Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft.
These international trips involved substantial logistical support. According to the investigation, the young family member traveled with a large entourage that included at least four nannies, two foreign language tutors, Tikhonova’s assistant, and employees of FST.
The Wider Putin Family Structure
Russian leadership maintains strict secrecy around family members, who frequently live under alternate surnames. Investigative reports indicate that Vladimir Putin has three daughters: Maria Vorontsova, Katerina Tikhonova, and Luiza Rozova, an out-of-wedlock daughter born to Svetlana Krivonogikh.
In addition to his daughters, the president has two sons—Ivan and Vladimir Spiridonov—born to gymnast Alina Kabaeva. The family also includes a grandson named Roman Faassen, the son of Vorontsova and her first husband, Dutch citizen Jorrit Faassen. Elza Tikhonova was born in 2017 during Tikhonova’s second marriage, following her separation from Kirill Shamalov, the son of Nikolai Shamalov, who is alleged to be a friend of Putin from the Ozero cooperative.
Did You Know?
Proekt’s ongoing reporting on the Russian elite’s private transportation network is set to continue with an upcoming investigative installment titled “Companions,” which examines further details of international flights taken by presidential family members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Vladimir Putin’s children?
Investigative reports identify Maria Vorontsova, Katerina Tikhonova, Luiza Rozova, Ivan Spiridonov, and Vladimir Spiridonov among the Russian president’s children.
Who is Elza Igorevna Tikhonova?
She is the eight-year-old granddaughter of Vladimir Putin, born to Katerina Tikhonova and ballet choreographer Igor Zelensky in 2017.
How did journalists discover the child’s identity?
Reporters from Proekt uncovered the name and travel habits through an analysis of leaked Federal Border Service databases.
Related reading