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Video: How did the great ladies' man and commander Kutuzov manage to maintain good relations with his wife?
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
In past centuries, the wives of great military leaders in Russia were no less famous than their legendary husbands. The spouses tried to accompany the commanders during military campaigns, served as a reliable support in case of disgrace, and their help in climbing the career ladder was often invaluable. But the family of Mikhail Kutuzov was somewhat different in its way of life, although the marriage was undoubtedly happy. And even the numerous hobbies of the spouse could not destroy the world in this amazing family.
The commander and the first beauty
Mikhail Kutuzov knew Katya Bibikova for many years, he first saw her when the girl was only 13. But love came to him much later. He then underwent treatment abroad, where he met with the matured and prettier Catherine. By that time, the glory of Mikhail Kutuzov thundered all over Russia, and he never suffered from the lack of attention from the fair sex.
He was not at all handsome, but he was very charming, had the glory of a military leader and one of the best and most eloquent storytellers of that time. He joked wittily, was an incredibly interesting conversationalist. Katya Bibikova responded to the feelings of Mikhail Kutuzov, and on April 27, 1778, the lovers got married in the Cathedral of St. Isaac of Dalmatia.
At the very beginning of family life, Catherine accompanied her husband on campaigns, but after that six children were born, and the wife had to give up her nomadic life. The only son of the Kutuzovs, Nikolai, died in infancy, and the couple raised five daughters.
Ekaterina Ilyinichna was waiting for her husband in St. Petersburg, eagerly printed his letters and was happy when he appeared at the house during his vacation. The couple attended receptions together, which, by the way, Mikhail Illarionovich himself did not like. However, he understood that his wife in his absence did not leave the house too often and tried to please her with attention and outings.
The most terrible time was when Kutuzov was seriously wounded in the left temple, and his life was in jeopardy. Salvation then even doctors called a miracle. Barely recovering from his injury, he again went to the battlefield. The Patriotic War of 1812, the victory over Napoleon and many other military achievements of Mikhail Kutuzov are widely known.
During expeditions and campaigns, he constantly wrote letters home, inquired about the health of the children, worried about his beloved wife, sent out salaries. In response, Ekaterina Ilyinichna sent detailed answers, confessed her love, sent Mikhail Illarionovich all sorts of pleasant little things to him. Of course, the spouse guessed that her husband had "fighting friends", but she had enough mental wisdom not to focus her attention on this.
Amazing marriage
The Kutuzovs lived extremely poorly, and the house and small children demanded significant expenses. Mikhail Illarionovich tried to receive income from the timber trade, knocked out a monetary reward from his superiors, trying to feed his family. For all her merits, Ekaterina Ilyinichna was not a very economical housewife, but she contributed to the formation of her husband's career.
Being a close friend of the favorite of Alexander I, Maria Naryshkina, Ekaterina Kutuzova through her influenced the decisions of the emperor, who openly disliked the commander. Thanks to the participation of his wife, Mikhail Kutuzov became commander-in-chief in 1805, then in 1811 and in 1812.
The kindest relations reigned in the family, and the spouses were united by a similar attitude to many issues. According to Arseny Zamostyanov, deputy editor of the Historian magazine, the Kutuzovs adhered to a very free view of the institution of marriage. Provided that they saw each other, at best, a month of the year, the presence of beautiful ladies surrounded by the commander was quite natural. In addition, he often used his fighting friends as spies.
Ekaterina Ilyinichna was a refined and extravagant nature, she was fond of literature and theater, kept her salon in St. Petersburg, where it was very difficult for everyone to get, corresponded with Madame de Stael and supported the actors. But the main place in her life was still occupied by her husband, whom she loved dearly. Mikhail Illarionovich, despite many hobbies on the side, never ceased to feel feelings for his wife, and only reproached her with unreasonable spending of funds in which the family was limited.
The Kutuzovs never bothered each other, did not make scenes of jealousy and constantly exchanged very warm letters full of tenderness and love. Mikhail Illarionovich was also a very caring father, he was always interested in the affairs of his daughters, corresponded with all his girls.
At the beginning of 1813, the field marshal general was gone. After his death, the widow of Mikhail Kutuzov began to receive her husband's support, and in 1814 the emperor ordered to pay all the debts of the military leader's family, which amounted to more than three hundred thousand rubles. Ekaterina Ilyinichna survived her husband for 11 years.
The names of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812 are widely known. They were all related by love for their native land and the unparalleled courage with which they defended their homeland. And outside of battles and battles, everyone had their own life. Next to them were charming wives who were expecting husbands from the war. What were they, the glorious companions of Russian heroes, how did the family life of talented commanders develop?
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