They were two of the most glamorous and wealthy aristocrats of Russia in the early 20th century. They were also two of the most controversial figures in Russian history. They were Princess Irina Yusupova and Prince Felix Yusupov.
Irina was born on March 21, 1915 in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), as the daughter of Prince Felix (the heir to one of the richest families in Europe) and Princess Irina Alexandrovna (the niece of Tsar Nicholas II). She grew up in a luxurious palace surrounded by art treasures, rare jewels, paintings by famous artists. She was educated by private tutors at home until she was nine years old. She then attended a prestigious boarding school for girls until she was 18.
Felix was born on March 23, 1887 in Saint Petersburg (now St. Petersburg), as the only son of Prince Felix (the heir to one of the richest families in Europe) and Countess Zinaida Nikolayevna (the widow of Prince Nikolai). He was a charming prankster who loved dressing up as women and fooling people with his wit. He studied at Oxford University where he developed a passion for art history. He also became interested in politics and joined various social movements.
They were among the few members of the Russian royal family who escaped execution by Stalin’s regime after he came to power in 1917. They were also among those who opposed Rasputin’s influence over Tsar Nicholas II’s family during World War I. They joined forces with other nobles who plotted to assassinate Rasputin on December 30th 1916 with cyanide injections.
They succeeded in killing Rasputin but failed to save Tsar Nicholas II who abdicated on February 15th 1917 along with his wife Alexandra (who died shortly after). They witnessed the rise of communism in Russia which led to civil war between different factions such as Bolsheviks (led by Lenin), White Army (led by Denikin), Red Army (led by Trotsky).
Felix and Irina fled Russia in 1919. They settled in London and then Paris, selling artwork, jewels, and trinkets to get by.
They managed to escape from Russia with their daughter Xenia who was born on March 1st 1942 while they were living in Rome under false names. They settled down again at Cormeilles Castle where they lived peacefully until August 30th 1983 when Irina died at age 68 due to complications from cancer.
Felix and Irina were not only lovers, but also partners in art and culture. They shared a passion for collecting rare books, paintings, sculptures, and antiques. They also supported various artists, writers, and musicians who fled from Russia after the revolution. They hosted lavish parties and salons at their castle, where they entertained guests such as Coco Chanel, Marcel Proust, Salvador Dali, and Igor Stravinsky.
They also devoted themselves to charitable causes, such as helping Russian refugees, orphans, and veterans. They founded the Association of Former Russian Nobility, which aimed to preserve and promote the heritage and traditions of the Russian aristocracy. They also donated some of their treasures to museums and libraries around the world, such as the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Library of Congress.
They never gave up hope of returning to their homeland one day, and they kept in touch with their relatives and friends who remained in Russia or emigrated to other countries. They also wrote memoirs and books about their lives and experiences, such as The Lost Splendor, Rasputin, and Once a Grand Duchess. They hoped to shed light on the truth behind the myths and legends that surrounded them and their role in Russian history.
They were admired and respected by many, but also envied and hated by some. They faced several lawsuits and scandals, such as the accusation of plagiarism by the writer Maurice Paléologue, or the claim of paternity by the French actor Jean Marais. They also received death threats and assassination attempts from various groups, such as the Soviet agents, the Nazi sympathizers, or the Rasputin fanatics.
They survived all the challenges and hardships that life threw at them, and they remained faithful and loyal to each other until the end. They were a remarkable couple who lived an extraordinary life, full of glamour, tragedy, scandal, and mystery. They were Princess Irina Yusupova and Prince Felix Yusupov.
