Idalia Poletika is a woman whose name is inextricably linked with the name of A. S. Pushkin. However, she was not at all his muse or lover, "Madame Intrigue", as she was called in society, became an indirect cause of the poet's death.
Origin
The future of the most famous intriguer of St. Petersburg was predetermined from birth, her biography is extremely bizarre and shrouded in secrets. It is known for certain that Idalia was the illegitimate daughter of Count G. A. Strogonov. There are several versions regarding the mother. The most romantic one claims that the count, while passing through Spain, made a close acquaintance with the noble Portuguese Countess d'Oyenhausen. The fruit of love and became Idalia, which received its name in honor of one of the Catholic saints. A few years later, the widowed count married Madame d'Oyenhausen and took a common daughter into the family. True, according to the laws of that time, she continued to be considered illegitimate and lived under the surname received at birth - Idalia de Aubertuil.
The second version is more prosaic - the girl is considered the daughter of an unnatural foreigner: a French maid or milliner, met by the count during one of his travels. Later she was taken to the Stroganovs' house as a pupil. Idalia grew up with the sons of the count and maintained excellent relations with everyone. Friends of the house noted her pretty appearance, lively character and amazing charm.
The publication
At the age of 19, the girl was successfully married to the Colonel of the Cavalry Regiment Alexander Poletika. The young man had a fortune, was somewhat older than his wife and completely obeyed her. In the light, he was benignly called "ladybug" for his gentle disposition and non-conflict. Poletika became a very comfortable husband for the active, flirtatious, enterprising Idalia. Unfortunately, she did not love her husband. Eyewitnesses recall many novels, the heroine of which was Poletika, but the family carefully observed decency and was never involved in scandals.
Once in the world, Idalia enjoyed great success with men; there were many celebrities among her fans. The young woman knew how to make friends with women, charm and tie to herself.
The evil genius of Pushkin
According to biographers, Idalia is the poet's maternal second cousin. At the same time, she was also a distant relative of his wife, Natalia Goncharova. Poletika was part of the Pushkin family, and over time became one of Natalie's closest friends. In the light, they were called the first beauties, although it is believed that Idalia was slightly inferior in terms of appearance. But in her there was something that the young and inexperienced Madame Pushkina lacked - secular brilliance, liveliness of mind, the ability to conduct a casual conversation, all-conquering coquetry.
Biographers disagree at what point the friendly relationship between Pushkin and Poletika gave way to hostility. And if the poet simply ridiculed the beauty and did not speak too flatteringly about her in front of his friends and wife, then Idalia hated Pushkin deeply and sincerely. At the same time, she managed to maintain good relations with his wife, and Natalie defended her friend in every possible way in front of her husband.
It is believed that the reason for such a sharp change in feelings was an unsuccessful flirtation, and it is difficult to understand who was its initiator. However, it was Idalia who considered herself offended and did not miss the opportunity to take revenge. Pushkin's biographers believe that it was she who wrote the ill-fated letter informing about the betrayal of his wife, and she also became the organizer of meetings with Georges Dantes. Other historians believe that the beautiful, but not too smart Natalie was not at all interested in the Frenchman. He was carried away by the bright and charming Idalia, and Pushkin's wife was just a screen for intimate meetings.
The exact role of Poletika in the drama of the Pushkin family can no longer be determined. As befits an experienced schemer, she carefully entangled all the threads and avoided direct accusations. It is known that after the ill-fated duel, she and the Heckerns were the only people who visited the house of the disgraced Dantes and his wife.
Personal life and family
In marriage, Idalia gave birth to three children. The eldest daughter and son died in early childhood, only the youngest daughter Elizabeth survived to adulthood. Little is known about her childhood; in history, the girl remained as Natalie's savior from Dantes. During one of the secret meetings in Poletika's house, the girl ran into the room where Dantes threatened Pushkin's wife with suicide if she did not agree to have a relationship with him. Little Lisa interrupted the painful scene, taking advantage of the confusion, Natalie left. The next day Pushkin received an ill-fated letter, a fatal duel was appointed.
Elizabeth was very similar to her mother, but the relationship between women was not particularly warm. Eyewitnesses describe the unpleasant scenes that Idalia arranged for her daughter after her marriage. It is possible that they undermined Elizabeth's already fragile health and caused her early death.
Last years
Idalia lived in France for a long time, but in recent years she returned to Russia, settling in Odessa. By that time, she was widowed and buried all the children. Poletika led a quiet and secluded life with the house of her half-brother, Count A. G. Stroganov.
Little is known about the last years of the life of the famous Petersburg intriguer. Perhaps she herself would like to forget the events of her stormy youth. However, friends note that Poletika retained her dislike for the already deceased Pushkin for life and repeatedly mentioned that the poet was not worthy of his fame.
Idalia, who was in excellent health, died at the very old age of 82. Buried at the First Christian Cemetery, the grave was destroyed in 1937 along with the entire churchyard.
