The head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, is one of the most recognizable politicians in Russia. His wife is not so well known to the general public, although the couple have been together for more than 20 years. Only in 2015 did Russian journalists manage to talk for the first time with this mysterious woman - Medni Kadyrova. She explained her secrecy by the traditions of the Chechen people, which require her to take care of her husband, keep the family hearth, raise children, and not flaunt personal relationships.
The story of Kadyrov's acquaintance and marriage
Ramzan Kadyrov knew his future wife from childhood. They both lived in the village of Tsentaroy and studied at secondary school No. 1, which now bears the name of Akhmat Kadyrov. Only Medni Musaevna Aydamirova was 2 years younger, she was born on September 7, 1978. As befits a modest Chechen girl, Kadyrov’s future wife in school years only thought about studying, and ignored his awkward communication attempts.
Ramzan and Medni began dating when they were 19 and 17 years old, respectively. First, based on local customs, the girl must give consent to the courtship of witnesses. Then on dates she is accompanied by an older relative who monitors the behavior of the young couple. From Medni, her older married sister went to meetings with her future husband.
According to the memoirs of Kadyrov, his father pushed him to the decision to marry. Just at that time the First Chechen war was going on, men constantly risked their lives. And Akhmat Kadyrov reminded his son that having created a family, he would have a chance to leave posterity after himself, because every day in the war could be the last for them. In 1996, Medney accepted the offer of Ramzan. After that, the matchmakers came to her father to get his permission for the wedding.
The traditional Chechen celebration is not much like secular ceremonies, which are popular in most of Russia. For example, they don’t drink alcohol at weddings. The bride is not taken from the parental home by the bridegroom, but by a close relative. Wedding vows of the newlyweds are pronounced separately in the presence of the mullah and witnesses.
Having barely married, the Kadyrov’s couple were forced to leave because military affairs awaited Ramzan. At first, they saw each other in fits and starts and did not even have the opportunity to constantly communicate from a distance, since there were no mobile phones at that time.
Family life
On the last day of 1998, the first-born son, Aishat, was born to the Kadyrov spouses. Then, with a difference of two years, she had three more sisters - Karina (2000), Khadizhat (2002), Hutmat (2004). The first heir was born to a couple in 2005, after the death of Akhmat Kadyrov. The boy was named in honor of the deceased grandfather. In 2006 and 2007, his younger brothers Zelimkhan and Adam were born. In addition, in 2007 the Kadyrovs adopted two orphans from the orphanage - the Daskaev brothers. In 2012, their fifth daughter, Ashura, was born, in 2015, daughter Eishat. The youngest member of the family at the moment is the son of Abdullah, who was born in October 2016.
Such a huge family, of course, requires a lot of attention and effort. Most of the worries about raising children, solving everyday problems are vested in the shoulders of Medni Musaevna. As an exemplary Chechen wife, she is happy to help her husband, giving him the opportunity to fully concentrate on work.
Religious customs oblige women to wear closed clothes, a scarf on their heads and do not approve of using cosmetics. However, in private with her husband any liberties are permissible. Kadyrov admitted in an interview that his wife loves to dress beautifully for him, to do her hair, and discreet make-up. There is love and tenderness in their relationship, just oriental upbringing does not allow putting these moments on public display.
The wife of the head of Chechnya did not deny that there were disagreements in their family, but she was trying to make concessions first. Jealousy of her husband is not alien to her, however, upbringing does not allow him to talk about this. Modesty, humility, devotion to one’s man are the main virtues of a Chechen woman. Therefore, Medni Musaevna calmly refers to the idea that Ramzan will someday want to get married again (religion allows you to have 4 wives).
Kadyrov’s wife speaks of him as a generous and romantic nature. He likes to arrange surprises for her, to please with unusual gifts. For example, on one of the birthdays he presented a flower that grew high in the mountains. For his sake, Ramzan personally climbed to a dizzying height. Medni calls this gift his most beloved and carefully stores it in a dried form.
