Rom's wife alone in marital bed

From NICK PARKER
Chief Foreign Correspondent
in Moscow
March 15, 2007

AIDES of Roman Abramovich knew his marriage was sinking a year ago — when he moved out of the marital bed on one of his mega-yachts.

Wife Irina moved their two youngest kids in with her in the master cabin on the top deck of the £72million Pelorus. He slept alone in a VIP cabin on the middle deck.

Staff noticed Abramovich, 40, and Irina, 39, were barely on speaking terms — observing frosty silences during meals with their five children.

Soon afterwards 25-year-old model Daria Zhukova appeared on board for the first time, wowing male crew members by peeling off to a skimpy black bikini.

A Red Rom insider said last night: “The first major sign of trouble was last spring when they began sleeping apart. They were only about 30 metres apart on a 115 metre yacht but it might as well have been a million miles.

“He’d spend most of his time reading on the sundeck or watching football on the satellite TV in the lounge while she took the kids on shore for trips to the beach.

“They’d only meet at meal times — probably for the sake of the kids — and would barely exchange a word.

“His wife and their children even went to a restaurant on shore in the Maldives and had dinner without him on Christmas Day.”

Abramovich’s feisty mother-in-law Alla Malandina, 60, was also said to have helped widen the rift.

The source said: “Matters were made worse by Irinas mother, who Roman simply could not stand because of her meddling.

“He hated the fact she had such a big say in family life and had so much influence over the children.”

Meanwhile Abramovich flew Daria and other pals to The Maldives so she could join him on the yacht while his wife and kids were in London.

The source went on: “Staff might have had their suspicions when Daria came on board but they kept them largely to themselves.

“Male staff were obviously impressed when she stripped down to her bikini. But she is very cool and kept her distance — the sort of girl who might not respond if you say a friendly, ‘hello’.”