Three-time Olympic champion Irina Rodnina married twice. Her first husband was her partner Alexander Zaitsev, in a marriage in which the son Alexander was born in 1979. 6 years after the birth of her son, the union of Rodnina and Zaitsev broke up, Irina married a businessman Leonid Minkovsky. They had a daughter in 1986. Alyona.
Soon the couple, together with Alena and Alexander, moved to the United States. At first, life in America brought Rodnina only joy: the family rented an apartment, then bought her own house, Irina was a coach.
“And then the problems started. Husband was busy trying to tame the stubborn one. I wasn’t going to punish or forgive anyone. There was another woman involved, but I don’t want to remember that.”says Rodina.
The divorce was finalized in 1992. It did not work out without scandals: Minkovsky tried to sue Irina’s daughter – unsuccessfully. However, Rodnina could not immediately return to Russia with her children.
“I have always been a hostage to my children. It so happened that Alena’s father issued documents so that she could not leave the United States. I had to be there because I didn’t want to leave my daughter.”– remembered Rodnina.
After breaking up with Minkovsky, Irina began dating a dentist. Pavel Niderman.
“Irochka and I met in San Francisco. I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but the fact that we weren’t separated from the first time we met, yes. It was 8 happy years, we spent a lot of time together, we had a beautiful love affair. We never had a question about legitimizing the relationship, I I was always ready to offer my hand and my heart and be there.
When I found out that Irina had moved to Russia, it was just a fact for me. She understood that she would be in greater demand in Russia. We’re still very close friends.”says Niederman.
In 2002, Rodnina returned to her homeland. Five years later, the three-time Olympic champion was elected to the State Duma of United Russia, where he still works today. Together with Irina, her son Alexander returned to Russia, but his daughter Alena continued to live in America.
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