Felix Felixovich Yusupov, often referred to as Felix Yusupov, was a Russian aristocrat and nobleman who lived from 1887 to 1967. He is best known for his participation in the murder of Grigori Rasputin, a controversial figure in the late Russian Empire.
Yusupov was born into a wealthy family in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father, Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston, was a member of the imperial court, and his mother, Princess Zinaida Yusupova, was a wealthy heiress. From an early age, Yusupov was known for his extravagance and love of the arts. He was a patron of the ballet and opera, and was known for his lavish parties.
In 1914, Yusupov became embroiled in a political conspiracy to kill Grigori Rasputin, who was perceived by many as having an undue influence over the Russian Imperial family. Yusupov was joined in the plot by a group of other aristocrats, including Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich and Vladimir Purishkevich. On the night of December 29, 1916, Yusupov lured Rasputin to his palace and fed him poisoned wine and cakes. When Rasputin did not die, Yusupov shot him several times and dumped his body in the Neva River.
Yusupov and the other conspirators were later arrested and put on trial, but due to their high social status, they were given relatively light sentences. Yusupov went into exile after the Russian Revolution, and lived in France and the United States for many years. He wrote a book about the Rasputin murder, which was published in 1928.
Despite his notoriety, Yusupov remained a popular figure in high society circles throughout his life. He married Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia in 1914, and the couple had two children. Yusupov continued to be involved in the arts, and was known for his extensive art collection. He died in Paris in 1967, at the age of 80.
Felix Yusupov remains a controversial figure to this day. While some view him as a heroic figure who helped to rid Russia of Rasputin’s influence, others see him as a cowardly and treacherous murderer. Regardless of one’s opinion of him, Yusupov’s life and actions remain a fascinating and complex chapter in Russian history.
Facts:
- Felix Felixovich Yusupov was a Russian aristocrat and nobleman born in St. Petersburg in 1887.
- He was the son of Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston and Princess Zinaida Yusupova, a wealthy heiress.
- Yusupov was known for his extravagant lifestyle and love of the arts, particularly the ballet and opera.
- He was one of the conspirators involved in the murder of Grigori Rasputin in 1916, along with Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich and Vladimir Purishkevich.
- Yusupov lured Rasputin to his palace and attempted to poison him with wine and cakes, but when that didn’t work, he shot him several times and dumped his body in the Neva River.
- Yusupov and the other conspirators were arrested and put on trial, but received relatively light sentences due to their high social status.
- He went into exile after the Russian Revolution and lived in France and the United States for many years.
- Yusupov wrote a book about the Rasputin murder, which was published in 1928.
- He married Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia in 1914, and the couple had two children.
- Yusupov continued to be involved in the arts and was known for his extensive art collection.
- He died in Paris in 1967 at the age of 80.
