Alexandra Tolstoy
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Tolstoy FRGS
(born Alexandra Tolstoy-Miloslavsky, 1974; married name Alexandra Galimzyanova) is an equine adventurer, broadcaster and businesswoman, a fellow
of the Royal Geographical Society
. She has made several long distance journeys on horses which have provided the material for television documentaries, books and talks.
The filming of Horse People with Alexandra Tolstoy, a television series for the BBC
filmed in 2008, was reported to have contributed to the breakdown of her marriage in 2009.
, Tolstoy studied for a Master of Arts
degree in Russian
at Edinburgh University which enabled her to spend a year in Russia
. In 2003, she wrote of Edinburgh
that -
She next moved to London
, joining Credit Suisse First Boston
's graduate scheme as a Eastern European Equities broker. She resigned after a year and spent the next two years working and traveling abroad during which time she spent six weeks walking the old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through Spain.
In 1999, she was part of a team which spent eight months travelling by horse and camel along a 5,000-mile length of the Silk Road
. One of the support team members, an Uzbek
show jumper, Shamil Galimzyanov, was to become her future husband. Upon completing the expedition, she moved to Moscow
to complete her account of the expedition, The Last Secrets of the Silk Road, and to continue travelling in central Asia.
In 2000 Tolstoy and a friend rode 3,000 miles on horseback through Mongolia
and Siberia
.
In September 2003 Tolstoy and Galimzyanov were married in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Bayswater
, London, after which they set up their home in a small Moscow apartment.
In 2004, along with her husband, she embarked upon the 2,700 mile journey from Turkmenistan
to Moscow
, retracing an expedition undertaken by twenty-eight Turkmen
riders in 1935, who took 84 days to cover the distance. Riding Akhal-Teke
horses, they were stopped from completing the journey by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
, resuming it in 2006 arriving in Moscow in November.
When not travelling on her own expeditions, Tolstoy continues to write, organise riding holidays in Central Asia, work as an interior designer and for BDI, a brand development company assisting European companies to develop their business in the countries of the former Soviet Union
.
In 2008, she spent a month filming Horse People with Alexandra Tolstoy, a television series for BBC Television
in which she visited five quite different communities working with horses around the world. The BBC objected to her husband accompanying her, and this was later reported to have tested the marriage.
The BBC was hoping for more television work, with a spokesman commenting "Alexandra's Horse People was very popular and she could well do more". Tolstoy was reported in 2009 to be considering making a series about high society
in contemporary Russia.
' and befriended the billionaire Sergey Pugachyov
.
Her marriage to Galimzyanov broke down in 2009 shortly after the birth of a baby boy, Alexis. Tolstoy decided not to return to her former home in Moscow and in April 2009 established herself with her son at a house in Chelsea
. In June 2009, she was reported to have engaged "highly paid lawyers" to protect her private life.
In the summer of 2009, Tolstoy was staying with Pugachev at a villa
in the South of France and was also helping him to find a country estate in England
. In December she acquired a farmhouse
near Malvern
in Herefordshire
for herself. Her distant cousin Alexander Nekrassov broke the news that Pugachev was the father of Tolstoy's son.
By 2011, Tolstoy and Pugachev were widely reported as a couple, with homes in Monaco
, London, and Moscow, but Pugachev remained married to Galina, with whom he has children and grandchildren.
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
(born Alexandra Tolstoy-Miloslavsky, 1974; married name Alexandra Galimzyanova) is an equine adventurer, broadcaster and businesswoman, a fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
of the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
. She has made several long distance journeys on horses which have provided the material for television documentaries, books and talks.
The filming of Horse People with Alexandra Tolstoy, a television series for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
filmed in 2008, was reported to have contributed to the breakdown of her marriage in 2009.
Life
The daughter of Nikolai TolstoyNikolai Tolstoy
Count Nikolai Dmitrievich Tolstoy-Miloslavsky is an Anglo-Russian historian and author who writes under the name Nikolai Tolstoy. A member of the prominent Tolstoy family, he is of part Russian descent and is the stepson of the author Patrick O'Brian...
, Tolstoy studied for a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
degree in Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
at Edinburgh University which enabled her to spend a year in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In 2003, she wrote of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
that -
She next moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, joining Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston was the former name of the banking firm Credit Suisse.-History:In 1978, Credit Suisse and First Boston Corporation formed a London-based 50-50 investment banking joint venture called the Financière Crédit Suisse-First Boston...
's graduate scheme as a Eastern European Equities broker. She resigned after a year and spent the next two years working and traveling abroad during which time she spent six weeks walking the old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through Spain.
In 1999, she was part of a team which spent eight months travelling by horse and camel along a 5,000-mile length of the Silk Road
Silk Road
The Silk Road or Silk Route refers to a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa...
. One of the support team members, an Uzbek
Uzbeks
The Uzbeks are a Turkic ethnic group in Central Asia. They comprise the majority population of Uzbekistan, and large populations can also be found in Afghanistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Pakistan, Mongolia and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China...
show jumper, Shamil Galimzyanov, was to become her future husband. Upon completing the expedition, she moved to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
to complete her account of the expedition, The Last Secrets of the Silk Road, and to continue travelling in central Asia.
In 2000 Tolstoy and a friend rode 3,000 miles on horseback through Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
and Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
.
In September 2003 Tolstoy and Galimzyanov were married in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Bayswater
Bayswater
Bayswater is an area of west London in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the west . It is a built-up district located 3 miles west-north-west of Charing Cross, bordering the north of Hyde Park over Kensington Gardens and having a population density of...
, London, after which they set up their home in a small Moscow apartment.
In 2004, along with her husband, she embarked upon the 2,700 mile journey from Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan , formerly also known as Turkmenia is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia. Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic . Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states...
to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, retracing an expedition undertaken by twenty-eight Turkmen
Turkmen people
The Turkmen are a Turkic people located primarily in the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and northeastern Iran. They speak the Turkmen language, which is classified as a part of the Western Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages family together with Turkish, Azerbaijani, Qashqai,...
riders in 1935, who took 84 days to cover the distance. Riding Akhal-Teke
Akhal-Teke
The Akhal-Teke is a horse breed from Turkmenistan, where they are a national emblem. They are noted for their speed and for endurance on long marches. These "golden-horses" are adapted to severe climatic conditions and are thought to be one of the oldest surviving horse breeds...
horses, they were stopped from completing the journey by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids...
, resuming it in 2006 arriving in Moscow in November.
When not travelling on her own expeditions, Tolstoy continues to write, organise riding holidays in Central Asia, work as an interior designer and for BDI, a brand development company assisting European companies to develop their business in the countries of the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
In 2008, she spent a month filming Horse People with Alexandra Tolstoy, a television series for BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
in which she visited five quite different communities working with horses around the world. The BBC objected to her husband accompanying her, and this was later reported to have tested the marriage.
The BBC was hoping for more television work, with a spokesman commenting "Alexandra's Horse People was very popular and she could well do more". Tolstoy was reported in 2009 to be considering making a series about high society
High society (group)
High society refers to a category of people deemed to have greater social status or prestige, and their related affiliations, social events and practices which together define a group variously referred to as "Society" or high society. Such groups are defined by certain key events and cultural...
in contemporary Russia.
Children
While living in Moscow, Tolstoy taught English to the families of several 'oligarchsBusiness oligarch
Business oligarch is a near-synonym of the term "business magnate", borrowed by the English speaking and western media from post-Soviet parlance to describe the huge, fast-acquired wealth of some businessmen of the former Soviet republics during the privatization in Russia and other post-Soviet...
' and befriended the billionaire Sergey Pugachyov
Sergey Pugachyov
Sergey Viktorovich Pugachyov is a Russian "oligarch", formerly also a politician.-Early life:The son of an army officer, Pugachyov was brought up in Saint Petersburg, where he studied art. As a young man, he became a friend of Vladimir Putin....
.
Her marriage to Galimzyanov broke down in 2009 shortly after the birth of a baby boy, Alexis. Tolstoy decided not to return to her former home in Moscow and in April 2009 established herself with her son at a house in Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
. In June 2009, she was reported to have engaged "highly paid lawyers" to protect her private life.
In the summer of 2009, Tolstoy was staying with Pugachev at a villa
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
in the South of France and was also helping him to find a country estate in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. In December she acquired a farmhouse
Farmhouse
Farmhouse is a general term for the main house of a farm. It is a type of building or house which serves a residential purpose in a rural or agricultural setting. Most often, the surrounding environment will be a farm. Many farm houses are shaped like a T...
near Malvern
Malvern, Worcestershire
Malvern is a town and civil parish in Worcestershire, England, governed by Malvern Town Council. As of the 2001 census it has a population of 28,749, and includes the historical settlement and commercial centre of Great Malvern on the steep eastern flank of the Malvern Hills, and the former...
in Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
for herself. Her distant cousin Alexander Nekrassov broke the news that Pugachev was the father of Tolstoy's son.
By 2011, Tolstoy and Pugachev were widely reported as a couple, with homes in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, London, and Moscow, but Pugachev remained married to Galina, with whom he has children and grandchildren.
Publications
- The Last Secrets of the Silk Road: Four Girls Follow Marco Polo Across 5,000 Miles (London: Profile Books, 2003) ISBN 9781861973799
- The Horses of Heaven