Russia's President Vladimir Putin and former gold medal-winning rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva. Putin has reportedly divorced his wife of 25 years and is planning to marry a former Olympic gymnast, 32 years his junior, according to The Daily Telegraph Friday.  (Photo:news.cn/Agencies) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia's soon-to-be ex-President Vladimir Putin has reportedly divorced his wife of 25 years and is planning to marry a former Olympic gymnast, 32 years his junior, according to The Daily Telegraph Friday.

    Putin and the gold medal-winning rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 24, now a member of the Russian parliament, have decided to tie the knot in mid-June, the report said.

    The 56-year-old president has secretly divorced his wife Ludmilla, 50, two months ago, so he would be free to remarry.

    The wedding is to take place a little more than a month after Putin steps down as Russian president, according to reports.

    There was no comment from the Kremlin or Kabaeva.

    Kabaeva, a politician, entered Russian parliament last December. She represented Russia at the Sydney and Athens Olympics. She once worked as a model and posed for photographs wrapped in only fur. She also appeared in an action film.

    (Agencies)
 

Russia's former gold medal-winning rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva poses for a magazine wrapped in only fur. (File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]