Favorite daughter of Grigori Rasputin Maria

daughter of Grigori Rasputin
The poster of that time. ‘Maria Rasputin, the daughter of Russia’s mad monk, who has her father’s mesmeristic eyes and uses them to cow rebellious Wild animals with the Hagenbeck-Wallace and Forepaugh-sells bros combinede circus

Favorite daughter of Grigori Rasputin Maria Rasputin was born Matryona Grigorievna Rasputina, March 29, 1899, in the Siberian village of Pokrovskoye, Tobolsk Governorate. Her mother Praskovia Fyodorovna Dubrovina was the only who called her by her birth name Matryona. As a teenager Matryona changed her provincial name to Maria. Rasputin had brought his favorite daughter Maria Rasputin and her younger sister Varvara to live with him in St. Petersburg in 1913. Maria took much after her father, she was loved by noble women of the high society of St.Petersburg, the adoration for her father was spread on her. Ladies kissed the tall teenager and called her by her pet names “Mara” and “Marochka”. Rasputin’s daughter received much attention from princesses and countesses.

daughter of Grigori Rasputin
Maria in the hands of her father. On the left – sister Varvara, right – brother Dmitri
Matryona Rasputina - daughter of Grigori Rasputin, far right, with her father, Grigori, left, and her mother in the center, in 1914
Matryona Rasputina, far right, with her father, Grigori, left, and her mother in the center, in 1914

Grigori Rasputin taught his beloved daughter Maria to be generous even in times when she was in need herself. Rasputin said she should never leave home with empty pockets, but should always have something in them to give to the poor. Grigori called Maria ‘The Little One’, he loved his daughter, and even after his death he watched over her like guardian angel, that was probably the reason Maria survived, and had lived till 1977.

daughter of Grigori Rasputin
Varvara Rasputin. Postrevolutionary photo, saved by her girlfriend. Damaged intentionally, for fear of reprisals by the Soviet authorities

Maria’s sister Varvara died in Moscow of typhus in 1925, Dmitry – in exile in Salekhard. In 1930 he was sent there with his mother Paraskeva Feodorovna and wife Feoktista. Mother died on the road to exile. Dmitry died of dysentery December 16, 1933, on the anniversary of his father’s death, three months after death of his wife and little daughter Lisa.

Rasputin's family
Rasputin’s family

Rasputin’s family. In the center – the widow of Grigory Rasputin Paraskeva Feodorovna, left – son Dmitry, right – his wife Feoktista Ivanovna. In the background – Ekaterina Pecherkina (worker in the house)

Survived daughter of Grigori Rasputin
Survived daughter of Grigori Rasputin

After the murder of Grigori Rasputin, his followers asked Maria to marry Boris Soloviev, the Treasurer of the Holy Synod and one of her father’s admirers. Boris Soloviev quickly emerged as Rasputin’s successor after the murder. Soloviev, who had studied hypnotism, attended meetings at which Rasputin’s followers attempted to communicate with the dead through prayer meetings and séances. Maria later wrote in her diary that she could not understand why her father had told her to “love Boris”. She added she did not like Boris at all.

Boris Soloviev, husband of daughter of Grigori Rasputin
Boris Soloviev

Soloviev also wrote in his diaries that he didn’t like Maria, and found her not attractive at all. Despite this fact the couple married on October 5, 1917. They returned to Siberia and lived for several weeks in Rasputin’s house at Pokrovskoye. In the family of Maria and Boris were born two girls, named in honor of Grand Duchesses – Tatiana and Maria. The youngest daughter was born abroad, after Boris and Maria had left Russia.

daughter of Grigori Rasputin
Maria Rasputin

Prague, Berlin, Paris … Wanderings were long. In 1926, Boris died of tuberculosis and Maria was left with two children on hands almost penniless. The restaurant, opened by her husband went bankrupt: there often dined in debt poor immigrants.

Maria Rasputin daughter of Grigori Rasputin worked as a dancer in a cabaret
Maria Rasputin worked as a dancer in a cabaret

Maria Rasputin worked as a dancer in a cabaret – finally came in handy dance lessons, which she took at Imperial Theaters in St. Petersburg. During one of the performances she was approached by the manager of an English circus, he offered her to work in a circus with lions. Maria agreed. They say her look was enough to stop any predator. Soon Maria Rasputin worked in the circus of Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and Gardner Circus.

Maria Rasputin worked in several circuses in the United States
Maria Rasputin worked in several circuses in the United States
Maria Rasputina as a circus performer in 1932
Maria Rasputina as a circus performer in 1932
They say Maria's hypnotizing look was enough to stop any predator
They say Maria’s hypnotizing look was enough to stop any predator
Maria Rasputin in Peru hospital, she was wounded by a bear in the circus
Maria Rasputin in Peru hospital, she was wounded by a bear in the circus
Later Matrona moonlighted nanny, a nurse at the hospital, gave Russian lessons, met with reporters, wrote a great book about her father entitled 'Rasputin. Why?'
Maria Rasputin

Later Matrona moonlighted nanny, a nurse at the hospital, gave Russian lessons, met with reporters, wrote a great book about her father entitled ‘Rasputin. Why?’

Marya G. died in 1977 in California of a heart attack on 80th year of life
Marya G. died in 1977 in California of a heart attack on 80th year of life

Marya G. died in 1977 in California of a heart attack on 80th year of life. Her grandchildren and now reside in the West. One of the granddaughters , Laurence Io – Solovyov , who lives in France, but it is often in Russia.

Laurence Huot-Solovieff, great granddaughter of Grigori Rasputin
Laurence Huot-Solovieff, great granddaughter of Grigori Rasputin
Favorite daughter of Grigori Rasputin Maria
Favorite daughter of Grigori Rasputin Maria

“I love my father. As much as others hate him. I have not the strength to make others love him”.

Surprisingly intertwined destinies of daughter Irina Yusupova and daughter of Matrona and Boris Soloviev. Without knowing anything about each other, they met in Greece, both under new names. As soon as they met, they immediately imbued with a deep sympathy for each other, became inseparable. And only when parting granddaughter of Rasputin admitted who she was, the stunned daughter of Yusupov confessed: “My father killed your grandfather.” In the photo: Irina Feliksovna Yusupova.