Vladimir Putin’s divorce from Lyudmila Putina finalized

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Putina’s divorce has been finalized, the Kremlin has confirmed.

Vladimir Putin and his wife of 30 years, Lyudmila Putina, who have two daughters in their late 20s, went on TV in June to announce they were breaking up.

The 61-year-old president was still officially listed as “married” only last week.

Ranked among the world’s most powerful people, Vladimir Putin made headlines last month by annexing Ukraine’s Crimea region.

During their appearance before a TV camera last year, Vladimir Putin said: “It was a joint decision: we hardly see each other, each of us has our own life.”

Lyudmila Putina, who is known to dislike publicity, said that flying was difficult for her and Vladimir Putin was “completely drowned in work”.

The divorce was “civilized” and the couple would “always remain close”, she added.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed for Russian media on Wednesday that the divorce had been completed.

In 2008, Vladimir Putin denied rumors that he had secretly divorced and was planning to marry former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabayeva.

Alina Kabayeva was among the final six torchbearers at the opening of Vladimir Putin’s showpiece Sochi Winter Olympics in February, rekindling speculation that she was a favorite of the Russian leader.