17 Facts About Praskovia Saltykova

Praskovia Fyodorovna Saltykova was the tsaritsa of Russia as the only wife of joint-Tsar Ivan V of Russia.

Praskovia Saltykova was the mother of Empress Anna of Russia.

Praskovia Saltykova was selected as the bride of Tsar Ivan V in a traditional parade of potential candidates before him.

Praskovia Saltykova was at the time of her marriage described as a healthy Russian beauty, tall, with a full figure and long thick hair, fully corresponding to the contemporary Russian ideal of beauty.

Praskovia Saltykova was reportedly particularly devoted to the Virgin icon of Yaroslavl, and the Virgin Mother Icon of Kazan.

Praskovia Saltykova was respectfully referred to in official documents as Her Majesty Tsarina Praskovia Feodorovna until her death.

Praskovia Saltykova had a long affair with the boyar Vassili Yushkov, who was the head of her household and entrusted with the affairs and economy of her court.

Praskovia Saltykova had great respect for her brother-in-law emperor Peter I, with whom she maintained a good relationship.

Praskovia Saltykova gave her daughters a Western education and hosted entertainment receptions for Western visitors in her residence, thereby discontinuing the Terem system which had required her to live secluded.

Praskovia Saltykova had a friendly relationship to her sister-in-law Natalya, and helped her set up an amateur theater.

At the fall and following execution of Tsarevich Alexei, Praskovia Saltykova was in fact implicated as a sympathizer of the Tsarevich and his conservative views, but Peter refused to act upon this because of his regard for her.

In 1708, Praskovia Saltykova moved with her daughters and her entire household to the new capital of Saint Petersburg on the Tsar's orders, where their own palace had been allotted to them by the Neva.

In contrast to many other female relations of Peter, Praskovia Saltykova never refused to attend the Westernized entertainments, such as theater plays and masquerade balls, or to dress herself and her ladies-in-waiting in costumes on such occasions or to drink alcohol in gender-mixed parties, which was a part of Peter's reforms of upper class social and court life.

When her daughter Anna left for Courland, Peter arranged for Praskovia Saltykova to visit with her in Riga.

Praskovia Saltykova received her eldest daughter Catherine when she escaped home to Russia from an abusive marriage in 1722.

Praskovia Saltykova continued to participate in court life until her death, and hosted a birthday party for her youngest daughter shortly before her death.

Praskovia Saltykova was given a stately funeral by Tsar Peter, which became the first Imperial funeral hosted in the new capital of Saint Petersburg.