Putin’s daughters step into the spotlight as he contemplates his own mortality

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters, Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, have made a rare public appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, sparking speculation about Putin’s legacy and health.

The daughters, who have been kept out of the public eye for years, spoke at the summit not to share insights on their professional experience, but to boost their father’s image, according to a former CIA agent. Ronald Marks, with 38 years of US intelligence work, described the sudden public appearance of the women as a strategic move by Putin to showcase his vitality and power.

Putin, 71, has been notoriously secretive about his children, but recent rumors of his declining health have prompted him to bring his daughters into the spotlight. Vorontsova, a genetics researcher, and Tikhonova, a tech executive and former competitive dancer, boldly accepted invitations to speak at the summit, indicating Putin’s desire to use his family ties to bolster his legacy.

Marks suggested that Putin is “considering his mortality” and is looking to his daughters to represent him in public. The summit, hosted in Putin’s hometown of St. Petersburg, serves as a platform to test the women’s PR abilities and showcase their talents.

While Putin is rumored to have other children, Tikhonova and Vorontsova have been the most visible in recent years. In 2022, the US sanctioned the pair for allegedly enriching themselves at the expense of the Russian people. Tikhonova runs an artificial intelligence initiative at Moscow State University, while Vorontsova is a medical researcher and co-owner of a healthcare investment firm.

As Putin’s daughters step into the public eye, the world watches closely to see how they will shape their father’s legacy and influence Russian politics in the years to come.