Belonging to the most influential and we althy family, Felix Yusupov was a very outrageous person. Loving to dress up as a woman and turn the heads of young officers, involved in the murder of Rasputin, he was known for centuries as a dark personality in Russian history. On the other hand, as if on a scale, his good deeds are balanced: the creation of a fashion house in Paris, patronage and assistance to emigrants from Russia in France. How did demonic vices and good deeds coexist in Yusupov?
Prince's parents
The parents of the imperial dandy were Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova and Count Sumarokov-Elston. Mother was an enviable bride, the owner of a colossal fortune. Not only eminent bachelors of the Russian Empire fought for her hand, but also the aristocrats of Europe. Felix Yusupov remembered her as a beautiful, fragile and very intelligent creature.
Zinaida Nikolaevna was not ambitious, so she married not for convenience (and she could even claim the royal throne), but for love. The chosen one was officer Felix Sumarokov-Elston. With the high position of his wife, he easily managed to make a career. And Felix-father was given a princely title by the emperor, and he was also allowed to be called by his wife's surname.
The marriage of such dissimilar people, a sophisticated princess and an officer, was happy, but not easy. Two children were born: Nikolai, the eldest, and Felix. In 1908, the 25-year-old heir tragically dies during a duel and Felix Yusupov becomes the successor to a huge fortune. His biography will be told below.
Childhood
Childhood is the time when the personality is formed, the formation of character takes place. Yusupov Felix Feliksovich was born on March 23, 1887.
His young years were spent in luxury and festivities. A favorite of his mother, he was very handsome: regular, as if carved features, in which aristocracy was traced. Zinaida Ivanovna passionately wanted a girl, so she dressed Felix exclusively in girlish clothes.
Apparently, the boy had this habit from his distant childhood. Already a five-year-old child, Yusupov demonstrates his love for dressing up in women's dresses. Not soldiers and games with boys, but his mother's wardrobe - that's his favorite pastime. Together with their brother Nikolai, they dress up as women and visit taverns, gatherings of women of easy virtue. Felix even performs in a cabaret: he sings one of the parts.
This occupation pisses off the father, the boy constantly gets slapped in the face. Felix Feliksovich wanted to see in his son the successor of his military affairs, and the women's things on the boy did not fit into this idea. The relationship of the two Felix has always been distant.
Continuedinfatuation until the death of Nikolai, Felix's brother.
Life in the Russian Empire
In Russia, the young Prince Felix Yusupov was known as an eccentric youth, a rebel. He loved ridiculous antics, extremely surprising the audience. They talk about him, gossip, give rise to fables. It should not be forgotten that the society of that time was not as accustomed to shocking as modern society, so the shocking actions of young Yusupov stunned many.
As for Yusupov the student, he was not a diligent student. However, he had an amazing mind and the ability to synthesize the necessary information.
First studied at a private gymnasium, then continued to study at Oxford University. There he united Russian-speaking students into society, and also created a car club.
Yusupov had a special relationship with his mother's friend, Grand Duchess Elizabeth. She was the sister of the Empress. Felix considered the woman a saint, her advice, parting words, good attitude helped the young man survive the tragic death of his brother. In 1914, Yusupov marries a representative of the Romanov dynasty, Irina, and thus becomes related to the imperial family.
The First World War catches the young Yusupov couple in Germany. With difficulty returning to St. Petersburg, Felix begins to help in the treatment of patients at the hospital. In 1915, the Yusupovs had a daughter, Irina.
The murder of Rasputin: background
Zinaida, Yusupov Felix Felixovich and even Grand Duchess Catherine saw that because of Grigory Rasputin, who became close tothe imperial family, they suffer, because the attention of the monarchs is riveted only to this dark personality.
Indeed, Gregory began to occupy a high position at the court of the emperor. The savior of the heir, he was revered by the empress as a saint. All attempts to appeal to common sense were unsuccessful: the empress was adamant, considered everything to be slander. And the emperor was forced to agree with everything, because the life of the blood heir was in the hands of the elder. Thus, a plan to kill the objectionable "saint" began to be thought out.
Murder plot
Involvement in the murder of Felix was the most direct. However, he will remember this for the rest of his life as a nightmare. Close friends of Yusupov took part in the conspiracy: deputy Purishkevich, Dmitry Pavlovich, a native of the royal family, and a resident of the British intelligence services, O. Reiner, was also involved.
To implement the plan, it was necessary to get closer to Grigory. This role was assigned to Felix. He asks Rasputin to get rid of vice, to help.
1916-17-12 Rasputin is invited to the Yusupov family mansion, allegedly to meet Irina, Felix's wife (she is currently in the Crimea). There they try to poison him first, and then fatal shots are heard.
This crime hides many mysteries, but one thing is clear: Felix himself believed that by doing this he was saving his beloved country from obscurantism. Indeed, the citizens of the empire breathed a sigh of relief upon learning of the death of Gregory.
Suspected Felix Yusupov refers to Rakitino,father's estate.
Emigration: life in London
The family survives the revolution, but emigrate to Europe. Their path ran first to the Crimea, then to M alta. Next, Prince Felix Yusupov and his family are heading to the UK, and his parents to the capital of Italy.
Until the last, they all hoped that they would see their native land, but this was not destined to come true.
In London, Felix helps incoming noble refugees. The family does not live in luxury, as in their homeland, because they left all the treasures at home. The jewels that were on the women were sold - they lived on this. Not without swindlers who robbed the Yusupovs.
Paris: World War II
Last place of residence - Paris. Irina and Felix Yusupov moved there in 1920. Miraculously, they managed to take out the original paintings and some jewelry from Russia. This was enough to buy a small house. France also continues to help those who fled from the new realities of the country of the Soviets. At the same time, the Irfé fashion house was opened by the Yusupovs, but it did not bring them the desired financial well-being.
Means of life appeared in an unexpected way: a film about Rasputin and his death was released in Hollywood. It was reported that the elder had a love affair with Irina, Felix's wife. It was decided to go to court with charges of defamation. As a result, the couple received good compensation.
During the war, Yusupov flatly refuses to join the Nazis. They took possession of the Felix family heirloom, a very rare pearl. They blackmailed her, but the prince was adamant. As a result, the jewel returned to the family.
In 1942, tragic news comes: Yusupov's best friend, who participated with him in a conspiracy against Rasputin, Grand Duke Dmitry, died. Felix mourns his friend for a long time.
After the end of the war, the Yusupovs live in Paris, they barely have enough money, but they do not despair: they are always hospitable, joyful and happy, despite severe hardships. Felix Yusupov, whose photo is in the article, is an example of a truly Russian aristocrat. Uncorruptible, with self-respect, but at the same time open to help the disadvantaged.
Wife Irina Aleksandrovna
The personality of a person will not be fully revealed if you do not delve into his relationship with his wife. Felix Yusupov's wife is nee Romanova, the Emperor's niece Irina Aleksandrovna.
From the very engagement, the relationship of young people has undergone obstacles. It should be said that Felix himself decided to marry, it was his decision, and not pressure from the family. Young people knew each other from childhood, had tender feelings in their youth, so they were not at all against the wedding. The families also did not mind, the union was quite equal in rights: the Romanovs and the richest family in the country. However, the engagement almost broke down because of the "well-wishers" who told Irina's father the incriminating facts about Felix's sodomy. The young man convinces the future father-in-law of his innocence, and the wedding takes place.
Next, throughout life,Felix and Irina Yusupov do not part. Irina is his best friend, she supported him, gave good advice. She never reproached him for being different, on the contrary, she accepted.
All their lives in exile, the Yusupovs were engaged in charity work and helping other emigrants, although they lived very modestly. They are an example of like-minded spouses, zealous patriots of their country.
Probably, for all the good deeds they were destined to live for many years: Felix Yusupov dies in 1968 at the age of 80, his faithful wife Irina died 2 years later.
Descendants of the Prince
Unfortunately, the Yusupovs had only one daughter, Irina. During emigration, she lives with her grandmother Zinaida for some time, then she marries Count Sheremetyev and moves to Rome.
Xenia is born from this union. Thus, she, her daughter Tatyana and two granddaughters are living direct descendants of the Yusupov family.
