Lifestyle

The Rise and Fall of Bertha Borodkina: The Queen of Gelendzhik’s Dark Fate

In the annals of Soviet history, only three women were sentenced to the ultimate punishment—execution. The first was Antonina Makarova, known as Tony the Machine Gunner, who collaborated with the Germans during World War II and was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,500 partisans. The second was Tamara Ivanyutina, convicted of poisoning 40 people, 13 of whom died.

The Enigmatic Bertha Borodkina

Bertha Naumovna Borodkina, born in 1927 in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, was the third woman to face this grim fate. Unlike the others, Bertha was not a murderer or a career criminal. Instead, she was a well-connected figure in the Soviet government and was known as the Queen of Gelendzhik. Her story is a tale of ambition, corruption, and ultimate downfall.

Early Life and Career

Bertha, who often went by the name Bella, had a tumultuous early life. Rumors swirled that during World War II, she became the lover of a Romanian partisan and worked for the Germans, though these claims were never substantiated. Bertha moved to Gelendzhik in 1951 and quickly married a retired general named Borodkin. After his death, she inherited a substantial estate and began her ascent in the local hospitality industry.

The Rise to Power

Bertha’s career trajectory was meteoric. By 1974, she had become the head of the trust of restaurants and canteens in Gelendzhik. Her establishments were frequented by important officials, and she was known for her ability to host lavish events. However, her methods were questionable. She systematically shortchanged regular customers, diluting products and skimping on portions to fund her extravagant lifestyle and bribe officials.

The Downfall

Bertha’s empire crumbled not due to her financial machinations but because of her involvement in pornography. In 1982, an anonymous tip led authorities to discover that one of her cafes was hosting adult film screenings. This revelation led to a raid on her home, where investigators found vast sums of money and valuable items hidden throughout the property.

Bertha was arrested and charged with embezzlement and bribery. Despite her attempts to feign mental illness, she was found guilty and sentenced to death—a shocking turn of events that stunned the Soviet Union. Bertha Borodkina was executed in 1983, marking the end of a dark chapter in Soviet history.

The Aftermath

The case of Bertha Borodkina was part of a larger anti-corruption campaign led by Yuri Andropov, the head of the KGB. This campaign, known as the Medunov Affair, resulted in the dismissal and prosecution of thousands of officials. Bertha’s story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked ambition and corruption.

For further reading on historical figures and their impact, you can visit Britannica.