A recent investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) has unveiled the extravagant lifestyle of Darya Vasilyeva, the wife of Valery Fedorov, head of the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM). The findings raise questions about the financial sources behind her wealth, which appears disproportionate to Fedorov’s official salary.
Vasilyeva, who has been seen flaunting expensive handbags and jewelry, reportedly owns a collection of Hermès bags, Cartier and Bulgari jewelry, luxury vehicles, and high-end real estate in Moscow. The FBK claims that the visible assets alone are valued at hundreds of millions of rubles, far exceeding what could be accounted for by Fedorov’s official income.
Fedorov has been at the helm of VTsIOM since 2003, where he has been instrumental in shaping public perception through favorable polling results. His organization has consistently reported that a majority of Russians believe election outcomes reflect the will of the voters, and that the living conditions for most citizens are improving.
According to the FBK, Vasilyeva began her public presence in 2020, initially as a blogger on VTsIOM’s YouTube channel, a position reportedly arranged by Fedorov. The couple’s relationship reportedly blossomed during trips to various European countries, leading to their marriage in September 2021 and the birth of their child shortly thereafter.
Despite her claims of being a fashion influencer and entrepreneur, Vasilyeva’s lifestyle appears to be funded primarily by Fedorov’s position as a public official. The FBK’s analysis of her social media revealed numerous luxury items, including 24 Hermès bags, each valued between $26,000 and $80,000.
Fedorov’s official salary from 2022 to 2024 is reported to be approximately 51 million rubles (around $700,000). However, the FBK estimates that the value of Vasilyeva’s Hermès collection alone exceeds 53 million rubles. Additionally, her jewelry collection is estimated at 19 million rubles (approximately $260,000).
In 2023, Vasilyeva purchased a Porsche Cayenne valued at 12-13 million rubles (about $170,000) and later acquired a 170-square-meter apartment in a luxury complex in central Moscow for around 230 million rubles (over $3 million). The FBK also noted her investments in other elite real estate projects.
Vasilyeva attempted to establish a women’s clothing brand, DV, renting a space in one of Moscow’s most expensive buildings, with monthly rent exceeding 1.5 million rubles (over $20,000). However, the venture reportedly failed, leading her to rebrand as a life coach and author.
The FBK’s investigation suggests that VTsIOM’s funding, primarily derived from state sources, has been funneled through a network of individual entrepreneurs, ultimately benefiting individuals unrelated to sociology, including a photographer and a travel agency manager.
The investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation reveals the extravagant lifestyle of Darya Vasilyeva, wife of Kremlin sociologist Valery Fedorov. It raises concerns about the financial sources supporting her wealth, which appears disproportionate to Fedorov's official salary.
Source: Anti-Corruption Foundation