Anna Starshenbaum Announces Divorce: A Brave New Chapter
Anna Starshenbaum’s Courageous Decision
On January 10th, 36-year-old Anna Starshenbaum shared a heartfelt message with her social media followers, announcing her decision to divorce her husband, entrepreneur Daniil Naumov. This was not a spontaneous decision, but a carefully considered, albeit painful, choice that took her as long to make as her entire relationship with Naumov lasted.
The Struggles Behind the Decision
Starshenbaum expressed the difficulty of making such a decision, especially with a young child involved and this being her second marriage. She shared, “It’s very hard when you have a small child, when it’s your second marriage, when you’re not 20 years old. Making such decisions is very difficult. Of course, you think a thousand times: is it worth it, is it not…”
A Relationship’s Facade
The couple began dating in 2022 and welcomed their son, Erik, in February 2024. However, the idyllic moments they occasionally shared online were merely a facade. Starshenbaum revealed that she had been living in constant internal tension for three years, giving the relationship and herself a chance to improve. She acknowledged the challenges faced by young families and the stress that follows childbirth.
The Breaking Point
Starshenbaum explained that the reason behind her decision was not due to loud scandals, physical abuse, or infidelity, but rather an accumulation of small, subtle, yet unbearable moments. She described these as “half-portions”—moments that seem insignificant at first but eventually become intolerable.
Passive Aggression and Disrespect
These “half-portions” consisted of constant passive aggression, rudeness, vulgarity, and outright vulgarity that began to surface in Naumov’s behavior after the initial honeymoon phase ended. Starshenbaum emphasized that she did not want to publicly insult or blame Naumov and even expressed her lingering warm feelings, love, and gratitude for the birth of their son.
A New Beginning
Starshenbaum made the tough decision to end the relationship while in Dubai, where she had gone with her son for the New Year holidays. She described this as one of the most challenging phases of her life, stating, “I am now in a very difficult situation in all aspects of life, but it was worth it. I want to cry again, and I have a lump in my throat again, but this is, at least, some kind of light feeling when you have already made a decision, let go.”
Beyond Personal Relationships
The changes in Starshenbaum’s life extend beyond her personal relationships. Recently, she hinted at considering emigration to Spain or Germany, asking her followers for advice on reliable agencies to help with obtaining residency permits. She noted that it was time for a new chapter in her life.
Disillusionment with Russian Cinema
Starshenbaum has long been disillusioned with Russian cinema. She categorizes domestic films into three groups: “quality noir,” “second-rate cinema by world standards,” and “stupid comedies.” She has no interest in appearing in any of these types of films.
An Independent Spirit
Anna Starshenbaum is a person accustomed to independence and making tough decisions from a young age. Born on April 26, 1989, in Moscow, her father was a psychotherapist, and her mother was his patient. At the age of 11, she had to start working as a waitress, and at 14, after a conflict with her mother, she left home to live independently in her late grandmother’s apartment.
A Successful Career
Her film career began early. After dropping out of school, Starshenbaum joined the Moscow Youth Theater and then enrolled in GITIS but did not graduate. She built her path herself and landed her first leading role in the film “Tell Leo” in 2008. She gained widespread recognition after her role in “Children Under 16…”, for which she received several prestigious film awards. Throughout her career, Starshenbaum has played a variety of roles. In 2023, she starred in the erotic drama “Escort Girl,” which was another bold creative experiment for her.
Bold Decisions in Personal Life
In her personal life, Starshenbaum has also not shied away from making bold decisions. Her first husband was actor Alexey Bardukov, with whom she has a son, Ivan. This marriage ended after Starshenbaum’s passionate affair with actor Vladimir Yaglych, but the divorce from Bardukov, according to her, was a “conscious decision.” She maintained a friendly relationship with her ex-husband and managed to establish joint parenting for their older son.
Starshenbaum met Naumov in 2022, but even the birth of their shared child could not cement a relationship that brought more pain than joy.
Photo: Legion-Media.com
