Public attention is often focused on the lives of famous people or glamorous individuals and the world seemingly cannot stop rotating around their lives. Especially, in the world of Russian public life, with most of the popularity coming from the powerful president, Vladimir Putin. There are a few equally powerful people who are just as strong but stay away from the spotlight. One such person who is the epitome of quiet strength and grace is Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Ocheretnaya, the ex- wife of Putin. She was once recognized publicly and globally as his wife and has lived the life of a public figure, blending her personal achievements and roles. She was involuntarily pushed into the spotlight without even seeking it – just because she was his wife. However, after their separation also the spotlight did not quite seem to stop chasing her. This article will trace her journey – her early life, professional feats, and personal lfe.
Biography Overview
Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Ocheretnaya is a Russian public figure who is best recgonized for being the ex-wife of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. During this period, when she was married to him, Lyudmila, who was also recognized as Lyudmila Putina served as Russia’s First Lady.
After her divorce, however, she changed her surname to Orchetenaya and withdrew completely from public life and social buzz.
| Full Name | Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Ocheretnaya |
| Born as | Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Shkrebneva |
| Also Known As | Lyudmila Putina |
| Date of Birth | 6th January 1958 |
| Age as of early 2026 | 68 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Place of Birth | Kalinigrad, Soviet Union |
| Known For | Wife of Vladimir Putin |
| Marital Status | Divorced; Remarried |
| Net Worth | $5-7 million |
Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Ocheretnaya Age
Lyudmila was born on 6th January 1958, and thus, she is currently 68 years old as of February 2026. Since her birthdate is mentioned, her zodiac sign is Capricorn, and she is a resilient, hard-working woman just like her zodiac sign embodies.
Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Ocheretnaya Height and Physical Appearance
Lyudmila might be recognized as someone who is a quiet and powerful woman but she has a height of around 5 feet 4 inches. This is equivalent to 163 cm and she has a weight of around 60 kg which is the same as 132 lbs. Where her eyes and hair color is concerned, she has blue striking eyes, with strawberry blonde hair.
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Strawberry Blonde |
Early Life
Lyudmila Putina was born in Kalinigrad, a Baltic Sea port city located in the Soviet Union. She was raised by her hardworking parents, Alexander Shkrebnev and Yekaterina Tikhonovna Shkrebnev. Her father was a hard-woking mechanic who repaired machines at a local plant whereas her mother worked as a cashier.
Lyudmila’s formative years were spent in simple joys and enjoying school plays. As a child she starred in a school play and played the character of Gerda in ‘The Snow Queen’.
Her early life was built on these formative years and she learned her lessons while still being a child, young and innocent at heart.
Education
In terms of education, Lyudmila was able to excel in several languages as she was working from her passion for words and cultures.
She studied at the Leningrad State University – which is now called Saint Petersburg State University. She graduated in 1986 with a degree in Spanish and philology – the study of language history and literatures.
She was immersed in the world of books, conversations and Spanish cultures, and this became her base for becoming the Russian First Lady as her education opened doors to ideas.
Career
Early Career
Right after having completing her schooling, Lyudmila took up a job as a flight attendant for the renowned Aeroflot’s Kalinigrad branch. Although she was quite befitting for the job and even quite enjoyed it, Lyudmila had done other jobs as well. She was a mail carrier, and even worked as a kid’s drama teacher in a school.
Later Career as First Lady of Russia
She had met Vladimir Putin in 1983 and married him soon after. Just as his career grew – from mayor to 1991 to president in 2000, so did hers. She became Russia’s First Lady up until 2014.
During her time here, she focused her efforts on literacy, libraries, and doing philanthropy. This included helping blind children learn the language of Braille, and she also helped at the Center for Interpersonal Communications. She would be busy teaching speech and publishing books and this is where her degree from university also came into practise.
Lyudmila had become a curator of a fund that aimed to develop the Russian language. Her preference was quite different as compared to other First Ladies. She wanted to maintain and preserve the Russian language and this led her to make public statements against orthographic reforms. This was backed by the a sponsored study from the Russian Academy of Scince.
If we had to speak about Lyudmila’s career as the First Lady – this was quite different and she chose a unique approach to her duties.
As a First Lady, she avoided media interviews, and she rarely attended any public events. She also did not participate in her husband’s political activities and maintained a very low profile.
This was backed by a statement wherein she mentioned that public attention actually made her really uncomfortable.
Public Life After Divorce from Vladimir Putin
As we know, Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila got divorced in 2013 and she also remarried – and took on the name Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Orcheretnaya. The divorce did not quite leave a huge impact on her career, as her second husband Artur leads the communications center that she had had worked on.
She still maintains a low profile, and supports cultural and educational projects.
Net Worth
Lyudmila’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of early 2026 and as per recent reports. This figure is not confirmed, but we know that her wealth mainly comes from business interests post-divorce. This includes her stake in CarMoney, a microfinance firm that earned her around 58 million rubles or $700,000 in 2022. She also holds real estate, including land held near Moscow; and a villa in France, worth €5-7 million. She owns this villa with her husband, Artur.
Personal Life
Vladimir Putin (1983 – 2013)
Lyudmila had met Vladimir Putin for the first time, at a comedy concert that was held in Leningrad in the early 1980s. They were both introduced to eachother via a mutual friend and they took their time to know eachother.
Soon, they got married on 28th July 1983 and slowly built their marriage and family life amid his rising political career.
During this period, they also had two daughters namely Maria who was born on 28th April 1985; and Katerina, born on 31st August 1986. Maria had pursued medical research in the respective fields and currently lives abroad privately. Katerina lives in Germany and has studied business and technology.
Despite several years in marriage, Lyudmila had mentioned that she did not like the spotlight although she was the First Lady.
On 6th June 2013, the couple announced their divorce calmly after nearly 30 years together. This was an announcement during a ballet intermission at the Kremlin Palace. The divorce got finalized in April 2014, and Lyudmila upon being asked the reason, mentioned that she hardly saw her husband and she hated the spotlight.
The divorce was mutual and calm but quite bittersweet.
Artur Orcheretnaya (2015 – current)
Lyudmila married Artur Orcheretnaya around early 2015 with some reports emerging publicly as January 2016 being the marriage date. However, this has not been confirmed.
Artur was born in 1978 and is nearly 20 years younger than her. He is a businessman who has been in the event firms industry.
Since 2010, he has been directing the non profit Center for the Development of Interpersonal Communications, which Lyudmila still supports.
The couple have kept their details private, but they have been spotted together including at the London Heathrow airport. They also own a luxurious Art Deco villa in Biarritz, in France.
Life, and Legacy
Lyudmila has lived a quiet but strong life. She is the epitome of quiet grace and strength and focuses her life on family. She also works at centers that support education, culture and skill training.
We know that she has stepped back from the spotlight, and has also let her daughters Maria and Katerina build their individual paths.
Her own love for languages, books and culture have led her to help others with her quiet efforts. By doing so, she has left a mark on education and culture in Russia.
This makes her a woman who is already leaving a legacy after her. Despite being the ex First Lady of Russia, she stepped down from that role and took on her work and life in a more low-key format.
Conclusion
Through the politics of Russi to the libraries and blind kids’ programs – Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Orcheretnaya has come a long way. She has touched several lives sans the loud speeches, and noise. Her choices from flights, to the First Lady to private peace – inspire several women out there. She inspires women to balance work, family and accept change.
Although she is 68 – she has not turned tired. She still actively works but is a living proof that a simple change can lead to a huge impact.
FAQs
She is currently 68 years old as of early 2026
She got divorced from him in 2013.
She has an approximate net worth of $5-7 Million as of early 2026. However, it is not confirmed.
She remarried Artur Orcheretnaya in 2016
