Tatyana Yakovleva is the former love of Vladimir Mayakovsky, who has become one of the brightest stars of Russian emigration. Her biography is extremely bizarre: for a long life, Tatyana changed several names and countries, was a fashion model and a hatter, was friends with the most famous people of her time.
Childhood and youth
The biography of Tatyana Yakovleva began in Russia. She was born in 1906 in St. Petersburg, later the family moved to Penza. The revolution and subsequent difficult years greatly influenced the girl’s life, at the age of 19 she made a firm decision to leave the country.
Uncle Tatyana Alexander Yakovlev, a popular artist, helped in obtaining a visa and a foreign passport. He lived in France and gladly received his niece. Having moved to Paris, the girl got a job in one of the fashion houses: at that time it was the most common option for beautiful Russian immigrants.
In Paris, the girl lived quite well, she not only demonstrated clothes, but also acted in films for advertising stockings. Posters with her image adorned the entire city, but such contracts did not bring much money at that time.
Meeting with Mayakovsky
Yakovleva was destined to become one of the women who influenced the work of Mayakovsky. She is the only one, besides the eternal muse of Lily Brick, to whom the poet devoted poetry.
The meeting took place in 1928 during one of Mayakovsky’s trips to Paris. Young people were introduced to Lily's sister Elsa Triole. The poet was struck by Tatyana's unusual appearance and her tall stature. Upon closer acquaintance, he appreciated her mind, sharp tongue, and her ability to have a casual conversation.
The attraction arose immediately, and it was mutual. Mayakovsky and Yakovleva met almost daily, walked a lot, chatted, sat in a cafe. When the time came to leave, Tatyana flatly refused to return to the USSR. Mayakovsky left alone, but even after his departure Tatyana received flowers daily on his behalf.
After parting, the lovers corresponded for a long time, but gradually the heat of passion subsided. Tatyana met with Viscount du Plessis, Mayakovsky in Moscow found a new passion - actress Natalia Bryukhanenko. Later, Yakovleva recalled that she tried several times to return the relationship and seriously considered moving to the poet. However, all throwing was interrupted by his suicide in 1930.
Personal life: famous fans and faithful husbands
Tatyana has always enjoyed success with men. Her catchy appearance and eccentric manners attracted the most famous people. Among the fans were Sergei Prokofiev and Fedor Chaliapin. However, Yakovleva herself preferred the viscount Bertrand du Plessis. Enemies argued that the ambitious girl was attracted to the title, and not its bearer. The novel ended in a wedding, Tatyana changed her surname and began to spin in aristocratic circles.
The end of the 30s was difficult for Tatiana. The husband cheated on her, after several major scandals, the couple parted. Then she got into a car accident, survived several plastic surgeries. She was recovering from shocks in the south of France, where she met with Alexander Liberman. He was destined to become the second husband of Yakovleva.
The couple got married after the death of Viscount du Plessis, in 1941. It was impossible to live in occupied Paris, the couple moved to the United States.
