Grigory Grigorievich Orlov - Feldzeichmeister General, favorite of Catherine 2, second of the Orlov brothers, builder of the Gatchina and Marble palaces. From him the empress gave birth to an illegitimate son, Alexei, the founder of the Bobrinsky count family.
The biography of Grigory Orlov is full of many interesting facts related to the empress’s court and the prince’s personal achievements.
So, here is a short biography of Grigory Orlov.
Biography of Grigory Orlov
Grigory Orlov was born on October 6 (17), 1734 in the village of Lyutkino, Tver province. He grew up and was brought up in the family of state councilor Grigory Ivanovich and his wife Lukerya Ivanovna.
In addition to Grigory, 5 more boys were born in the Orlov family, one of whom died in infancy.
Childhood and youth
Grigory Orlov spent his entire childhood in Moscow. He received his primary education at home, but he had no particular aptitude for science. However, he was distinguished by his beauty, strength and courage.
When Orlov was 15 years old, he was enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment, where he began his service with the rank of private. Here the guy served for 8 years, receiving the rank of officer. In 1757, he and his colleagues were sent to the Seven Years' War.
Interesting facts about Anastasia Orlova
- With a height of 174 cm, she looks fragile and graceful: athletics in childhood, adolescence, and now her love for swimming give excellent results and allow her to maintain a normal weight.
- When asked about the secret of youth (she is no longer twenty, but looks like a young girl!) she replies: “There are no secrets, there are habits. The most important useful habit is to go to bed early, at the same time, no matter what, and sleep at least five hours every day.”
- In the morning, Anastasia does not have breakfast, and she does not drink coffee in the morning. But a mandatory attribute to start the day is a cup of hot, fresh tea with mint. Her first light breakfast is after the broadcast.
- The presenter Orlova lives on Vorobyovy Gory, she loves her area and all of Moscow. “I adore Moscow with all my heart, it has become very beautiful in recent years. I’m sure Moscow is the best and most beautiful city in the world,” her words about the capital.
- When asked to describe television in one word, she responds: “Television is magic.”
- The passion for reading did not leave her, despite her busy work. Her favorite books are the fiction of the Strugatskys, she especially likes to reread them “A Billion Years Before the End of the World.”
- Anastasia likes to spend New Year with her family, when everyone gathers - her husband, parents, grandparents, son Ivan and children of relatives. “We have not just a family, but a clan,” she says about her loved ones.
- Now she keeps fit by swimming. But, according to her confession, she sometimes dreams of a treadmill from her childhood, an athlete crosses the finish line, and she is the first!
Military service
During the war, Orlov showed himself to be a good man. He had incredible strength, attractive appearance, tall stature and valor. There is an interesting case in Gregory’s biography when he proved his courage in practice.
Having received 3 wounds in the battle of Zorndorf, the warrior refused to leave the battlefield. Thanks to this, he attracted the attention of officers and gained a reputation as a fearless soldier.
In 1759, Grigory Orlov was instructed to deliver to St. Petersburg a famous prisoner - Count Schwerin, who served as an aide-de-camp under the King of Prussia. Having completed the task, the officer met General Feldzeichmeister Pyotr Shuvalov, who took him on as his adjutant.
Gregory began serving in the guard along with his brothers. The Orlovs often violated order by organizing noisy drinking parties.
In addition, the brothers had a reputation as “Don Juans”, not being afraid to enter into relationships with ladies from high society. For example, Grigory started an affair with Count Shuvalov’s favorite, Princess Kurakina.
Favorite
When Shuvalov found out about Orlov’s relationship with Kurakina, he ordered the ungrateful warrior to be sent to a grenadier regiment. It was there that the future Empress Catherine 2 noticed the stately Gregory.
From that time on, many significant events began to occur in the biography of Grigory Orlov, the empress’s favorite. Soon, Catherine became pregnant by Orlov and gave birth to a boy, Alexei, who later received the surname Bobrinsky.
Grigory Grigorievich, together with his brothers, provided serious assistance to the empress in the struggle for the throne. They helped her get her husband Peter 3 out of the way, who in turn wanted to send his wife to a monastery.
The Orlov brothers served the queen faithfully also because they considered Peter a traitor to his homeland, more defending the interests of Prussia than Russia.
During the palace coup that took place in 1762, the Orlovs were able to convince hesitant military personnel to take Catherine’s side. Thanks to this, most of the soldiers swore allegiance to the queen, as a result of which Peter 3 was overthrown from the throne.
According to the official version, Peter died from hemorrhoidal colic, but there is an opinion that he was strangled by Alexei Orlov.
The Orlov brothers received many privileges from Catherine the Great, who was grateful to them for everything they did for her.
Grigory Orlov and Ekaterina 2
Gregory received the rank of major general and actual chamberlain. In addition, he was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.
For some time, Grigory Orlov was the empress’s main favorite, but soon everything changed. Since he did not have much intelligence and was poorly versed in state affairs, the man could not become the right hand of the queen.
Later, Grigory Potemkin became the empress's favorite. Unlike Orlov, he had a subtle mind, insight and could give valuable advice. Nevertheless, in the future Grigory Orlov will still provide Catherine with a great service.
In 1771, the ex-favorite was sent to Moscow, where the plague was raging. For this and other reasons, unrest began in the city, which Orlov managed to successfully suppress.
In addition, the prince took effective measures to eliminate the epidemic. He acted quickly, clearly and thoughtfully, as a result of which all problems were resolved.
Returning to St. Petersburg, Grigory Orlov received many praises from the Tsarina, along with awards and rewards. In Tsarskoe Selo, a gate was installed with the inscription: “Moscow was delivered from trouble by Orlov.”
Interview
How long ago did you start hosting events? Ever since they handed me a microphone and said “MUST!” It's been almost 15 years now.
How did your career begin? Where do you work now? From an interrupted lecture on human anatomy. A friend dragged me to an audition for a local major radio station, where I got in, but he, accordingly, did not. The voice began to sound, original programs appeared. People heard and wanted exclusive information at their events. Underground discos, restaurants, city administration balls, city days, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings. I worked as much as the frantic rhythm of studying at the medical academy allowed. I received a medical degree and, at the same time, a huge amount of experience working with a microphone and large audiences. I become a laureate of the prestigious Radiomania award and become one of the top three radio presenters in the country, representing the then city of Tyumen. Next is a difficult choice - where and in what way to develop? I move to Moscow and get a job at the Russian Radio radio station, where I work happily to this day. Medicine remains in the soul - I treat people with my voice and mood.
What should a modern wedding look like? It will be up to the newlyweds to decide whether it will be archaic or modern. With or without traditions, it also remains at the discretion of the main ones. Each of us has had a picture in our heads since childhood that we want to bring to life as we approach the main milestone in life. Another thing is that ideals crumble and with age it can change dramatically. But! The main thing at any wedding remains the happiness of the newlyweds and the mood of the guests. If everyone remembers THIS, then the presenter coped with the task.
How do you see your event hosting style? Don't be annoying. A timely toast, interaction with the guests, unrestrained dancing at the beginning of the evening, or a falsely sung, but soulful song with one of the guests who decided to give his creativity to the newlyweds - you should be part of this holiday. No paper scripts in front of your eyes! Improvisation and attention to everyone in the room to get people talking and make them smile. After all, the best and most harmless joke is a joke told by guests to themselves.
What modern wedding trends and features can you highlight and which of them are close to you? If modern young people in sweaters at a wedding no longer count, then... I really like the costumes of friends and bridesmaids, chosen in the same color scheme, with some distinct style of the event. This always sets the right mood for the guests.
What's your favorite wedding moment? When the bride takes off her shoes and runs to dance barefoot with her friends, lifting up her skirt.
What are your favorite restaurants for events for up to 100 people? Everything near water and in the air.
What countries can you recommend for a wedding? It should be beautiful and very tasty. If possible, nearby and without a visa. Try to say that Georgia is not suitable.
What do you like to do in your free time? Family.
Personal life
A number of historians believe that Grigory Orlov managed to know true love already at the end of his life. When Catherine the Great lost interest in her favorite, she sent him to one of her luxurious estates.
Later it became known that Orlov married his 18-year-old cousin Ekaterina Zinovieva. This news caused a strong reaction in society. Church representatives condemned this union because it was concluded between close relatives.
Princess Ekaterina Orlova
This story could have ended in tears for both spouses, but the empress, remembering Gregory’s past merits, stood up for him. Moreover, she awarded his wife the title of lady of state.
Gregory and Catherine lived happily until the girl fell ill with consumption. This happened in the fourth year of their marriage. The husband took Katya to Switzerland for treatment, but this did not help save her life.
Death
The death of his beloved wife in the summer of 1782 seriously undermined Orlov’s health and became one of the darkest episodes in his biography. He lost all interest in life and soon went crazy.
The brothers took Grigory to the Neskuchnoye estate in Moscow. Over time, the famous Neskuchny Garden will be formed here.
It was here that the Feldzeichmeister General, despite the efforts of the doctors, gradually faded away into quiet insanity. Grigory Grigorievich Orlov died on April 13 (24), 1783 at the age of 48.
Orlov was buried in the Otrada estate in Semenovskoye. In 1832, his remains were reburied at the western wall of St. George's Cathedral, where his brothers Alexei and Fedor were already buried.
Literary activity
In 2002, he published his first poems in newspapers in the city of Bratsk. The formation of Orlov M.T. As a writer, his acquaintance and collaboration with the poets of Irkutsk T.N. Surovtseva and V.V. Kozlov. Poems and critical articles were published in the magazines “Yunost” (Moscow), “Siberia” (Irkutsk), “Word of Transbaikalia” (Chita), in the newspapers “Literary Gazette”, “Literary Russia” and many others.
Author of collections of poems “Beyond aspirations” (Irkutsk, 2004, Publishing house), “Yamby” (Bratsk, 2006, Padunskaya mini-printing house), “Upper pool” (Bratsk, 2013, printing house “Poligraph-service”, “ From the first person" (Irkutsk, 2020, Forward printing house).
In 2005, he published the brochure “Leonid Martynov”, dedicated to the work and biography of the poet.
In 2020, he published a collection of literary critical articles “Prose about Poetry” (Bratsk, printing house “Poligraphservis”), dedicated mainly to the work of Leonid Martynov, as well as the work of Yu. Kublanovsky, V. Kozlov, E. Yevtushenko and others.
