Anna Aleksandrovna Vyrubova (1884-1964), Part 2

[koloagirl]

Aloha!

I have to add my sincere mahalo (thank you) to Robert as well for sharing those wonderful pictures from his recent trip - I too find it fascinating that there is a small church on her plot!

Thank you Robert!

Janet R.

[blessOTMA]

I want to add my thanks to Robert and Rudy as well! ....fasinating to see her grave. To me AV's story has not yet been told...she remains an enigma.

[carkuczyn]

I know that the extended Romanov family did not like Rasputin, but how did they feel about Anna Vyrubova?  She seemed to have as much of a hypnotic spell over Alexandra and Nicholas as Rasputin did.

[Sunny]

I know that the extended Romanov family did not like Rasputin, but how did they feel about Anna Vyrubova?  She seemed to have as much of a hypnotic spell over Alexandra and Nicholas as Rasputin did.

Judging from what i've read in various books, they did not like Vyrubova very much either. They tought she was in cahoots with Rasputin to manipulate the choise of Ministers.
As i read in her first hand memories (Memories of the russian court) even Doctor Gedroiz from imerial lazaret did not like her at all and when she had the train accident, she simply said: "She will die" and didn't do much to try to save her. But well - this is what Vyrubova wrote, so her personal POV could be wrong or distorted, since there was not friendship between her and Gedroiz, it seems.

[carkuczyn]

Thanks for the info, Sunny.  I am currently reading the Wartime Correspondence of Nicholas and Alexandra and in it, it tells about "Ania" being sick with measles and staying in another wing of the Alexander Palace.  Alexandra writes to her husband that she worries about what "Ania" will think or say if she does not go sit with her daily.  How odd that an Empress would kowtow to a commoner in this way, especially one as whiney and childish as Anna Vyrubova.  This is a good example of Alexandra's questionable mental state IMHO.  No wonder the Emperor's family worried so much about them.......and I do not blame them for not liking Anna Vyrubova.  And I would imagine that the extended family was exasperated with Nicky for allowing such situations to develop.  They were probably thinking, "He won't listen to us when we try to advise him, but he listens to this crazy woman (Vyrubova) and Rasputin?"  What a sad state of affairs it truly was!

[Sunny]

I have not read the Wartime correspondence, but i clearly remember that Alexandra &Nicholas in private called Vyrubova "The big child" because her way of behaving was even more childish that those of their own children when they were little. Personally i don't dislike Alexandra, but i really don't like Vyrubova and it's hard for me to understand how they could love her so much.

[Kalafrana]

I have given up trying to understand the basis of human affection!

All I can think of is that Alexandra, in particular, felt sorry for Vyrubova, and Nicholas, in typical fashion, went along with it.

Ann

[bestfriendsgirl]

In Janet Ashton's book The German Woman, she points out that Alix encouraged Ania to marry Vyrubov instead of persuing A.A. Orlov  because he was closer to her in age and a more suitable husband. The marriage with Vyrubov was a disaster and Alix felt guilty about encouraging it so she stuck by Ania. Also, her home provided Alix a place to meet with Rasputin away from the AP. So, even though Ania got on Alix's nerves and tried to flirt with Nicky (like he couldn't do waaaaay better than her, if he were inclined to take his business elsewhere!  ), there were certain advantages in the friendship for Alix. I'm anxious to see what Virginia Rounding's new book about Alix and Nicky has to say on the subject.

[Kalafrana]

Interesting.

Ann

[Sunny]

Yes really interesting. I haven't read Ashton's book, but this is interesting.

[bestfriendsgirl]

You've got to read it! It's great!

[blessOTMA]

Anya's  utter devotion, almost worship ( and ability to speak English)  had to play a part....AF would find that irresistible...AV's story hasn't been told. One minute she sees like mindless clay, the next,  pretty smart....one would have to be to have stayed the supreme favortie for so long, even if the relationship was rocky at times. 1903 till the end...an accomplishment for a friend of any royal personage 

[historyfan]

Thanks for the info, Sunny.  I am currently reading the Wartime Correspondence of Nicholas and Alexandra and in it, it tells about "Ania" being sick with measles and staying in another wing of the Alexander Palace.  Alexandra writes to her husband that she worries about what "Ania" will think or say if she does not go sit with her daily.  How odd that an Empress would kowtow to a commoner in this way, especially one as whiney and childish as Anna Vyrubova.  This is a good example of Alexandra's questionable mental state IMHO.  No wonder the Emperor's family worried so much about them.......and I do not blame them for not liking Anna Vyrubova.  And I would imagine that the extended family was exasperated with Nicky for allowing such situations to develop.  They were probably thinking, "He won't listen to us when we try to advise him, but he listens to this crazy woman (Vyrubova) and Rasputin?"  What a sad state of affairs it truly was!

I didn't see it as Alexandra worrying about "Ania's" feelings, moreso being annoyed by her whining. But, for whatever reason, she put up with it. Why? Well, it does seem as though she felt sorry for her. There were parts of her that seemed pretty pitiable - like her flirtation (very unsubtle!) with Nicky. She did worry about Vyrubova's health, during the measles and during her recovery from her train accident, and she worried about the death threats Vyrubova received when things started going right downhill shortly before the murder of Rasputin. But she didn't kowtow to her.

[carkuczyn]

In most aspects, the relationship seemed to be two neurotic individuals feeding off of each others weaknesses.  Alexandra was desperate for a "true friend" and Anna was desperate for attention.  At any rate, how sad for Russia that these two individuals were in the position to make or influence many crucial decisions of the time. 

[Belochka]

In most aspects, the relationship seemed to be two neurotic individuals feeding off of each others weaknesses. 

I do wonder when such comments appear on this Forum, on what basis are they made?
 

Alexandra was desperate for a "true friend" and Anna was desperate for attention.  At any rate, how sad for Russia that these two individuals were in the position to make or influence many crucial decisions of the time. 

Can you please provide at least one credible example where as you claim: "that these two individuals were in the position to make or influence many crucial decisions of the time."