‘Unhinged and gloriously crazy’: What Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina looks for in a partner

Maria Alyokhina, a founding member of the activist punk band Pussy Riot, has spoken candidly about her personal life, relationships, and experiences in a recent interview. At 38, she reflects on her complex history with her father, her 19-year-old son, and even a brief relationship with an individual she initially considered a dangerous adversary. Alyokhina met her father, Vladimir, a university professor, for the first time when she was 21. They met on the outskirts of Moscow, where they shared a cup of tea. Vladimir recounted his life, apologized for leaving her mother, Natalia, before she had children, and sought her forgiveness. He remained supportive during her time in a penal colony, having been sentenced to two years in 2012 for organizing a protest against the Russian Orthodox Church's backing of President Vladimir Putin. When she informed him of her solitary confinement and hunger strike, he encouraged her to continue, assuring her he was with her. Her father passed away last year due to Parkinson’s disease. During her third criminal case in 2025, riot police raided his home at 6 a.m., despite his physical limitations following multiple back surgeries. He died two months later. Their final conversation was one of pride and encouragement. As a teenager, Alyokhina was described as difficult, changing schools six times. Her education at a university-connected institution focused on careers in oil exploration or law, which she rejected in favor of living authentically. She spent a summer hitchhiking through southern Russia, eventually studying literature and creative writing. She met Nikita Demidov, who later became the father of her son Filipp, who is now 19. Although they were not in a romantic relationship for long, Nikita did not abandon her upon learning of her pregnancy. While she was imprisoned, both Nikita and her mother cared for Filipp. They remain in touch, and her father also played a role in raising his grandson. Alyokhina recalls meeting Dmitry Enteo, an ultra-right-wing Orthodox activist, whom she initially viewed as a threat. However, their relationship began unexpectedly when he left his belongings behind, including his phone, while fetching another bottle of wine. During their time together, Enteo faced legal consequences for supporting Russian political prisoners. Despite his challenging nature, Alyokhina acknowledges that she, too, is not easily managed. She describes herself as vocal and unrelenting, traits she attributes to her activism. She has also interacted with Alexei Navalny, the late Russian opposition leader. After Pussy Riot’s 2012 performance at a Moscow cathedral, Alyokhina and her bandmate Nadya Tolokonnikova were arrested. Navalny and politician Boris Nemtsov stood outside the detention center, advocating for their release. Navalny wrote to her while she was incarcerated, expressing bravery and optimism. His mother, Lyudmila, demonstrated similar resolve when she traveled to the Arctic Circle to retrieve his body after his death in 2024. Alyokhina believes that men often become authoritarian figures due to their desire for control, starting with the suppression of women's independence. She argues that these individuals, regardless of race, religion, or geography, begin their oppressive tendencies within the home. In 2022, she relocated her son, Filipp, out of Russia, securing Icelandic citizenship for him. If he had remained in Russia, at 18 he would have received a draft notice leading to military service in Ukraine, potentially resulting in his death.