The world is abuzz with rumours of an alleged relationship between media personality and businesswoman Wendi Deng (sometimes known simply as Wendi D) and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a story which seems as though it has leap straight from the pages of fantasy, the ex-wife of Australian media titan Rupert Murdoch has been linked to the Russian leader.
The claims seem to stem from a purported ‘Kremlin insider’ who spoke to the American publication Us Weekly. Adding fuel to the fire, is Wendi Deng’s presence on Roman Abramovich’s $400 million yacht in the Caribbean.
The Chelsea-owner and billionaire oligarch is a close friend of President Putin’s. However, Abranmovich’s partner, Dasha Zhukova, is reportedly close friends with Wendi.
Wendi D pictured with her then husband Rupert Murdoch at the Academy Awards in 2013. (Courtesy: PA/Vogue)
It seems, however, that the purported power couple have not been spotted together in public. Vladmir Putin is notoriously secretive about his private life.
The Kremlin announced his divorce in April 2014 following a 30-year marriage to Lyudmila Putina, with whom he shares two daughters, Maria, 30, and Yekaterina, 29.
After a brief session in which he praised his daughters, Putin reiterated his commitment to keeping quiet in matters of family. “I never discuss questions related to my family. They are not involved in business or politics. They are not pushing for this,” the President said.
Putin rarely mentions his family, and rumours soon began to swirl around a romance with Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
European gossip websites were aflutter with Putin’s rumoured romantic interest, speculating that she may have been pregnant after stepping out in early 2015 sporting what the media claimed was a ‘fuller figure’.
It was reported in the Swiss press that Putin missed countless public appearances in order to follow Kabaeva to Switzerland where she allegedly gave birth to his child. The Kremlin vehemently denied these rumours.
“Information that a child has been born to Vladimir Putin is not true,” said Dmitry Peskov, “I am planning to appeal to people who have money to organize a competition for best journalistic hoax.”
Wendi Deng is no stranger to speculation. Ms Deng, who rose to public prominence following her counter-attack of a protestor at the Leveson phone hacking enquiries in the UK, has been dogged by infidelity claims for years.
Most shockingly, it was rumoured her marital collapse with Murdoch occurred as a result of an affair with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is also godfather to the couple’s daughter Grace.
The smoking gun apparently came in the form of diary entries, in which Wendi D praised the former British premier’s presence and appearance.
“Pierce blue eyes which I love. Love his eyes. Also I love his power on the stage,” swooned Wendi, in one of her diary entries. Both Tony Blair and his wife Cherie have denied the claims.
It has even been rumoured that Wendi Deng may actually be a Chinese spy. Regardless if there is any merit to these claims, one thing is certain – the speculation will continue.
