The woman widely believed to be Vladimir Putin’s secret daughter has spoken out for the first time—sharing cryptic but emotional messages that appear to condemn the Russian president.
Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22, also known as Luiza Rozova, made emotional posts on her private Telegram channel, hinting at her father as she condemned a man who “destroyed” her life.
Luiza wrote, “The man who took millions of lives and destroyed mine.”
“It’s liberating to be able to show my face to the world again. It reminds me of who I am and who destroyed my life,” she added, according to reports from Bild, cited by The Sun.
Previously, Luiza had avoided showing her face on Instagram, but she has recently begun posting full photos.
Born on March 3, 2003, in St Petersburg, Luiza is believed to be the result of an affair between Putin and his former cleaner, Svetlana Krivonogikh. The investigative project Proekt first reported the connection in 2020. Her mother’s sudden wealth after Luiza’s birth further fueled speculation that Putin secretly provided financial support.
Luiza once openly flaunted a glamorous lifestyle on social media—flying in private jets, DJing in elite clubs, and wearing luxury fashion. However, her accounts disappeared just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Now living in Paris, Luiza graduated from the ICART School of Cultural and Art Management in June 2024. On leaving Russia, she wrote, “I can't make an extra lap around my beloved St. Petersburg. I can't visit my favourite places and establishments,” as quoted by The Sun.
Since then, she has reappeared online with a transformed image. More political than before, she now speaks out against the war in Ukraine and has distanced herself from the luxury lifestyle.
Reports say she works at L Galerie in Belleville and Espace Albatros in Montreuil—two art galleries in Paris known for hosting anti-war exhibitions.
Luiza now uses the name Elizaveta Rudnova, reportedly in reference to Oleg Rudnov, a late ally of Putin, possibly to hide her true identity. Her role in the galleries includes helping organise exhibitions and producing videos.
Her presence in dissident art circles has not gone unchallenged. Artist Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia in 2022, publicly cut ties with the galleries over Luiza’s involvement.
Rodionova stood firm in her stance, arguing that those affected by the war should not be forced to share space with anyone connected to the regime, regardless of family ties.
Dmitry Dolinsky, director of L Association, which runs Studio Albatros and L Galerie, supported her, saying, “She looks like Putin but so do 100,000 other people. I haven’t seen a DNA test.”
Others working in the galleries also defended her, describing her as a “cultured person” and an “excellent worker”.
Luiza’s mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, was sanctioned by the UK in 2023 and has been linked to Putin’s inner circle by independent Russian media.