Ksenia Sobchak, known as Vladimir Putin’s ‘goddaughter,’ is reportedly seeking to relocate from Russia to Spain. She has allegedly applied for residency in Spain under the digital nomad status, which requires her to live in the country for more than half of each year and fulfill tax obligations there. Sobchak, a 43-year-old TV host, politician, and influencer who once featured in Playboy, has not officially commented on the matter.
According to reports in Spain, Sobchak has submitted a residence permit application for herself and her eight-year-old son, Platon, and there are rumors that she has already purchased a luxury property in the country. This move comes amidst economic turmoil in Russia due to Putin’s military actions and Western sanctions, as well as increasing restrictions on dissent against the regime.
Sobchak holds a five-year EU Schengen visa from France, along with Israeli and Russian passports, allowing her to travel freely in Europe for up to 90 days every six months. She shares a history with Putin, as he attended her christening before becoming the president of Russia, sparking speculation that he is her godfather.
Her late father, Anatoly, who was close to Putin, played a significant role in the former KGB agent’s political career by offering him his initial political position when he served as the mayor of St. Petersburg. Despite being viewed as aligned with the opposition, some critics suspect that Sobchak maintains a personal relationship with Putin.
In 2018, Sobchak’s presidential bid was perceived as a move to provide a facade of competition in Putin’s allegedly rigged election, drawing criticism and being labeled as a “farce.” Additionally, her attendance at a controversial “naked party” in 2023, which angered Putin, led to her issuing a public apology. However, she did not face repercussions unlike other attendees.
Sobchak’s mother, Lyudmila Narusova, a 74-year-old Russian senator, has a history of opposing Putin’s authoritarian measures. Despite being often the sole dissenting voice against Putin in the Senate, she believes that many others share her views but fear expressing them openly due to repercussions.
Please note that we and our partners use cookies and other identifiers to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site usage, and deliver personalized content and ads. You can manage your data sharing preferences by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. By using our website and services, you agree to our use of cookies and acknowledge our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.