The worlds of spying and showbiz would seem to be mutually exclusive. But Anna Chapman, Russia's flame-haired former agent, is making a career of both.
Chapman, who last year was outed along with a handful of other Russian spies working secretly in the United States, makes her television debut tonight, in a program, "Secrets Of The World With Anna Chapman," that promises to feature its charismatic young star doing what she does best: solving mysteries.
The program, part of a new documentary series on Russia's Kremlin-friendly REN-TV, is the crowning achievement in a season that has seen Chapman rise from a disgraced foreign agent of dubious talent to a homespun sensation as an all-around It Girl enjoying friendly relations with a fellow former spy, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Another reportedly close female associate of Putin's, former rhythmic gymnast and Duma Deputy Alina Kabayeva, is chairman of the oversight board of the National Media Group, which owns REN-TV.
In addition to "Secrets Of The World," the 28-year-old Chapman has taken on a post at a Russian bank, posed for a revealing spread in the Russian edition of "Maxim" magazine, and starred in a New Year's parody of the 1970s television series "Seventeen Moments Of Spring," in which the beloved Soviet agent Stirlitz shares a brief and poignant meeting with Chapman at a restaurant.
Chapman has added a political dimension to her career as well, joining the leadership of Molodaya Gvardia (Young Guard), the youth wing of Putin's all-powerful United Russia party.
The group has been widely criticized for its aggressive tactics in targeting illegal immigrants and foreign critics of the regime. But speaking at a Young Guard congress in December, Chapman attempted to put a fresh face on the proceedings, donning a form-fitting red-and-black dress and calling on members "to take pleasure in each new day" and "begin changing the country by changing ourselves. Be happy!"
99 Fake Street
Not everyone is happy, however.
Music critic Artyom Troitsky, who has emerged as a pointed observer of the current political regime, says that for most Russians, Chapman holds no particular allure on the physical front and -- perhaps more importantly -- should not be celebrated as a national hero after failing to turn up any information of substance during her brief career as a spy.
"I wouldn't say she's especially popular," Troitsky says. "I think most people have a very ironic opinion of her. The perception is that she's like a new favorite toy of Vladimir Putin. So because of that, all kinds of people -- the media, bankers -- they try to shower her with all kinds of favors, because they think that she's Putin's toy girl."
Chapman, who was born Anna Kushchenko in the Russian city of Volgograd, spent much of her life abroad. Her father, a Russian diplomat with rumored KGB ties, was based for many years in Kenya.
In 2000, she moved to London, where she found short-term work in the financial and aviation industries, and an equally short-term husband, Briton Alex Chapman, who gave her her now-notorious surname as well as a British passport. They divorced four years later. The British authorities, in the wake of last year's spy scandal, have since revoked Chapman's citizenship.
Chapman relocated to New York in 2006, where she continued to pursue an entrepreneurial career while allegedly operating within a network of fellow "illegals," or sleeper agents, planted by Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service.
At the time of the agents' arrest in the summer of 2010, it was not clear that any had been particularly successful in uncovering strategically useful military or technical information. But Chapman's behavior at the time -- registering a cell phone under the address "99 Fake Street" and telephoning her father in Moscow at the first sign of trouble -- was considered particularly frivolous and un-spylike.
Proving Her Worth
Still, some are sympathetic to her plight.
Journalist and media expert Aleksei Pankin says anyone with training in espionage may have a difficult time returning to normal life. And although he's not interested in the substance of programs like "Secrets Of The World," he said he might tune in -- just to see how she's doing.
"I'm very close acquaintances -- friends, actually -- with a former spy, an important one. And his attitude about this is that people who have undergone such monstrous training, and suffered so stupidly, is that it requires a really difficult and complicated adaptation for them to return to peaceful civilian life," Pankin says. "So for that reason I'm not especially interested in what they're going to show. The main thing is that she's all right."
Chapman is not the only "illegal" to benefit from government largesse upon their return. Another agent, Natalia Pereverzeva -- who posed as housewife Patricia Mills during her time in the United States -- has been made an aide to the president of the state pipeline operator Transneft. And Andrei Bezrukov last autumn was appointed adviser to the director of the state-controlled oil company Rosneft.
Edward Lucas, a senior editor at "The Economist" who is currently writing a book on Russian spies, says there's nothing in Chapman's performance as a spy to suggest she was an important -- or even well-trained -- intelligence officer, and that her rise to notoriety may be due to a simple mix of personal ambition, family connections, and good timing.
Still, he says, Chapman has proved useful to the Kremlin. Even as the country's roads crumble and hospitals sag with mildew, the Russian and Soviet spy machines have always been a point of massive pride -- "the bit of the state that really works," as Lucas puts it.
He says the Kremlin -- which may have chafed under the FBI's evident delight in recounting the bumbling performance of Chapman and her fellow illegals -- is ready to defend what it still does best.
"The Kremlin wants to push back on this and to say, 'You know what, we have this really hot spy chick, and we bet your spies aren't as glamorous as she is,'" Lucas says. "And I think in a way it's quite good for the image of Russia, the idea that you have this multilingual, talented, cosmopolitan, reasonably good-looking, versatile woman as a representative of the new Russia. I think if I was a national brand-making consultant, I would say to get out there and use her."
The worlds of spying and showbiz would seem to be mutually exclusive. But Anna Chapman, Russia's flame-haired former agent, is making a career of both.
Chapman, who last year was outed along with a handful of other Russian spies working secretly in the United States, makes her television debut tonight, in a program, "Secrets Of The World With Anna Chapman," that promises to feature its charismatic young star doing what she does best: solving mysteries.
The program, part of a new documentary series on Russia's Kremlin-friendly REN-TV, is the crowning achievement in a season that has seen Chapman rise from a disgraced foreign agent of dubious talent to a homespun sensation as an all-around It Girl enjoying friendly relations with a fellow former spy, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Another reportedly close female associate of Putin's, former rhythmic gymnast and Duma Deputy Alina Kabayeva, is chairman of the oversight board of the National Media Group, which owns REN-TV.
In addition to "Secrets Of The World," the 28-year-old Chapman has taken on a post at a Russian bank, posed for a revealing spread in the Russian edition of "Maxim" magazine, and starred in a New Year's parody of the 1970s television series "Seventeen Moments Of Spring," in which the beloved Soviet agent Stirlitz shares a brief and poignant meeting with Chapman at a restaurant.
Chapman has added a political dimension to her career as well, joining the leadership of Molodaya Gvardia (Young Guard), the youth wing of Putin's all-powerful United Russia party.
The group has been widely criticized for its aggressive tactics in targeting illegal immigrants and foreign critics of the regime. But speaking at a Young Guard congress in December, Chapman attempted to put a fresh face on the proceedings, donning a form-fitting red-and-black dress and calling on members "to take pleasure in each new day" and "begin changing the country by changing ourselves. Be happy!"
99 Fake Street
Not everyone is happy, however.
Music critic Artyom Troitsky, who has emerged as a pointed observer of the current political regime, says that for most Russians, Chapman holds no particular allure on the physical front and -- perhaps more importantly -- should not be celebrated as a national hero after failing to turn up any information of substance during her brief career as a spy.
"I wouldn't say she's especially popular," Troitsky says. "I think most people have a very ironic opinion of her. The perception is that she's like a new favorite toy of Vladimir Putin. So because of that, all kinds of people -- the media, bankers -- they try to shower her with all kinds of favors, because they think that she's Putin's toy girl."
Chapman, who was born Anna Kushchenko in the Russian city of Volgograd, spent much of her life abroad. Her father, a Russian diplomat with rumored KGB ties, was based for many years in Kenya.
In 2000, she moved to London, where she found short-term work in the financial and aviation industries, and an equally short-term husband, Briton Alex Chapman, who gave her her now-notorious surname as well as a British passport. They divorced four years later. The British authorities, in the wake of last year's spy scandal, have since revoked Chapman's citizenship.
Chapman relocated to New York in 2006, where she continued to pursue an entrepreneurial career while allegedly operating within a network of fellow "illegals," or sleeper agents, planted by Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service.
At the time of the agents' arrest in the summer of 2010, it was not clear that any had been particularly successful in uncovering strategically useful military or technical information. But Chapman's behavior at the time -- registering a cell phone under the address "99 Fake Street" and telephoning her father in Moscow at the first sign of trouble -- was considered particularly frivolous and un-spylike.
Proving Her Worth
Still, some are sympathetic to her plight.
Journalist and media expert Aleksei Pankin says anyone with training in espionage may have a difficult time returning to normal life. And although he's not interested in the substance of programs like "Secrets Of The World," he said he might tune in -- just to see how she's doing.
"I'm very close acquaintances -- friends, actually -- with a former spy, an important one. And his attitude about this is that people who have undergone such monstrous training, and suffered so stupidly, is that it requires a really difficult and complicated adaptation for them to return to peaceful civilian life," Pankin says. "So for that reason I'm not especially interested in what they're going to show. The main thing is that she's all right."
Chapman is not the only "illegal" to benefit from government largesse upon their return. Another agent, Natalia Pereverzeva -- who posed as housewife Patricia Mills during her time in the United States -- has been made an aide to the president of the state pipeline operator Transneft. And Andrei Bezrukov last autumn was appointed adviser to the director of the state-controlled oil company Rosneft.
Edward Lucas, a senior editor at "The Economist" who is currently writing a book on Russian spies, says there's nothing in Chapman's performance as a spy to suggest she was an important -- or even well-trained -- intelligence officer, and that her rise to notoriety may be due to a simple mix of personal ambition, family connections, and good timing.
Still, he says, Chapman has proved useful to the Kremlin. Even as the country's roads crumble and hospitals sag with mildew, the Russian and Soviet spy machines have always been a point of massive pride -- "the bit of the state that really works," as Lucas puts it.
He says the Kremlin -- which may have chafed under the FBI's evident delight in recounting the bumbling performance of Chapman and her fellow illegals -- is ready to defend what it still does best.
"The Kremlin wants to push back on this and to say, 'You know what, we have this really hot spy chick, and we bet your spies aren't as glamorous as she is,'" Lucas says. "And I think in a way it's quite good for the image of Russia, the idea that you have this multilingual, talented, cosmopolitan, reasonably good-looking, versatile woman as a representative of the new Russia. I think if I was a national brand-making consultant, I would say to get out there and use her."
Anna Benson, wife of newly retired MLB pitcher Kris Benson, enjoyed being popular.
Married for ten years after meeting her husband as a stripper, Benson took over as the more famous side of the couple by being more outspoken and exciting than her husband was good on the diamond.
Once named "baseball's hottest wife", there is no doubt that the woman will somehow find a way to stay famous.
While Kris bounced around the MLB, she became an extremely popular figure with fans across the country.
Anna Benson, wife of newly retired MLB pitcher Kris Benson, enjoyed being popular.
Married for ten years after meeting her husband as a stripper, Benson took over as the more famous side of the couple by being more outspoken and exciting than her husband was good on the diamond.
Once named "baseball's hottest wife", there is no doubt that the woman will somehow find a way to stay famous.
While Kris bounced around the MLB, she became an extremely popular figure with fans across the country.
On Thursday a jury convicted Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's longtime lawyer/boyfriend, of consipring to help Smith obtain illegal substances by fraud and giving a false name for a prescription.
Smith's psychiatrist, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, was also found guilty on conspiracy charges and, according to the Associated Press, "convicted on two separate counts of unlawfully prescibing and obtaining Vicodin through fraud and use of a false name."
Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, who provided Smith with painkillers including Vicodin, was acquitted of charges that he had prescribed excessive drugs to an addict.
"This is not just a victory for me, but for patients everywhere who suffer chronic pain," said Kapoor outside the courthouse.
Stern was acquitted of seven of the 11 charges originally lodged against him. Sentencing likely won't happen until January.
On Thursday a jury convicted Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's longtime lawyer/boyfriend, of consipring to help Smith obtain illegal substances by fraud and giving a false name for a prescription.
Smith's psychiatrist, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, was also found guilty on conspiracy charges and, according to the Associated Press, "convicted on two separate counts of unlawfully prescibing and obtaining Vicodin through fraud and use of a false name."
Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, who provided Smith with painkillers including Vicodin, was acquitted of charges that he had prescribed excessive drugs to an addict.
"This is not just a victory for me, but for patients everywhere who suffer chronic pain," said Kapoor outside the courthouse.
Stern was acquitted of seven of the 11 charges originally lodged against him. Sentencing likely won't happen until January.
Top searches around the world today include Anna Chapman the attractive Russian and alleged spy whose Facebook pictures have been posted by news outlets over the web. The Russian spy allegations aside this should cause some to consider there privacy settings and determine how open their Facebook page is to the world.
On a separate note Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was charged with misdemeanor assault by punching a bar employee. Bengals fans have to be wondering why these sort of police involved actions happen to Bengal players. Benson from Texas, had a great season last year rushing for over 1200 yards. In light of the charge the NFL may take some action which would affect the start of his season.
In dog news the Icelandic sheepdog, Cane Corso and Leonberger are now officially recognized by the American Kennel Club bringing relief to owners nationwide. According to Wikipedia, Icelandic Sheepdogs are tough and energetic. Hardy and agile, they are extremely useful for herding and driving livestock or finding lost sheep. If you can't find your sheep this dog sounds perfect.
Top searches around the world today include Anna Chapman the attractive Russian and alleged spy whose Facebook pictures have been posted by news outlets over the web. The Russian spy allegations aside this should cause some to consider there privacy settings and determine how open their Facebook page is to the world.
On a separate note Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was charged with misdemeanor assault by punching a bar employee. Bengals fans have to be wondering why these sort of police involved actions happen to Bengal players. Benson from Texas, had a great season last year rushing for over 1200 yards. In light of the charge the NFL may take some action which would affect the start of his season.
In dog news the Icelandic sheepdog, Cane Corso and Leonberger are now officially recognized by the American Kennel Club bringing relief to owners nationwide. According to Wikipedia, Icelandic Sheepdogs are tough and energetic. Hardy and agile, they are extremely useful for herding and driving livestock or finding lost sheep. If you can't find your sheep this dog sounds perfect.
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — A redheaded Financial District beauty was among 11 people accused of being a Russian spy Monday after she allegedly passed information to her handlers at locations around Manhattan.
Anna Chapman, 28, lived in a luxury Financial District apartment and ostensibly ran a $2 million online real-estate business. However, authorities charged that the divorced woman's real goal was to infiltrate political circles and funnel information back to Moscow, according to a complaint obtained by the Daily News and the New York Post.
Chapman allegedly engaged in clandestine communication tactics fit for a Cold War era spy flick. She was one of 10 people arrested as part of a Russian spy ring on Monday. Another alleged spy is still on the loose.
On one occasion, Chapman is accused of sharing computer files from the Barnes & Noble on Greenwich and Warren Streets in TriBeCa. She allegedly transmitted the data over a secret wireless network to another spy who was parked in a van outside, according to the complaint.
A similar incident allegedly took place at a Starbucks on 47th Street and Eighth Avenue, the Post reported. The contents of the communications were not revealed in the complaint.
Chapman's life as a spy began to unravel last week when an undercover FBI agent enlisted her to deliver a fake passport to another agent, according to the complaint.
Chapman initially agreed to the plan, but apparently became suspicious. The redheaded beauty sprinted to a Brooklyn Verizon store, where she bought a cell phone under the name Irine Kustov of 99 Fake Street, the News reported.
The FBI figured out she was on to them and immediately began rounding up the ring of suspected Russian spies, who they'd been tracking for more than a decade, according to the News.
Chapman could face up to five years in prison if convicted of acting as unregistered foreign agent.
Although Chapman appeared demure in court on Monday, prosecutors were adamant about her espionage role, the News reported.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Farbiarz singled out the curvaceous divorcé, saying "This is a Russian agent!"
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — A redheaded Financial District beauty was among 11 people accused of being a Russian spy Monday after she allegedly passed information to her handlers at locations around Manhattan.
Anna Chapman, 28, lived in a luxury Financial District apartment and ostensibly ran a $2 million online real-estate business. However, authorities charged that the divorced woman's real goal was to infiltrate political circles and funnel information back to Moscow, according to a complaint obtained by the Daily News and the New York Post.
Chapman allegedly engaged in clandestine communication tactics fit for a Cold War era spy flick. She was one of 10 people arrested as part of a Russian spy ring on Monday. Another alleged spy is still on the loose.
On one occasion, Chapman is accused of sharing computer files from the Barnes & Noble on Greenwich and Warren Streets in TriBeCa. She allegedly transmitted the data over a secret wireless network to another spy who was parked in a van outside, according to the complaint.
A similar incident allegedly took place at a Starbucks on 47th Street and Eighth Avenue, the Post reported. The contents of the communications were not revealed in the complaint.
Chapman's life as a spy began to unravel last week when an undercover FBI agent enlisted her to deliver a fake passport to another agent, according to the complaint.
Chapman initially agreed to the plan, but apparently became suspicious. The redheaded beauty sprinted to a Brooklyn Verizon store, where she bought a cell phone under the name Irine Kustov of 99 Fake Street, the News reported.
The FBI figured out she was on to them and immediately began rounding up the ring of suspected Russian spies, who they'd been tracking for more than a decade, according to the News.
Chapman could face up to five years in prison if convicted of acting as unregistered foreign agent.
Although Chapman appeared demure in court on Monday, prosecutors were adamant about her espionage role, the News reported.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Farbiarz singled out the curvaceous divorcé, saying "This is a Russian agent!"
Do you know why we celebrate Mother’s Day? It is to give tribute to the reason why we’re here. But do you know who started this celebration? It’s because of Anna Jarvis.
Anna Jarvis is not even a mother. She is never married and had no children. But she is recognized as the ‘Mother of Mothers Day’.
Anna Jarvis was born in the tiny town of Webster in Taylor County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. The family moved to nearby Grafton, West Virginia in her childhood. She graduated from what is now Mary Baldwin College in 1883.
After the death of her mother in 1905, Anna Jarvis resolved to honor her mother. Anna Jarvis began her efforts to help Mother’s Day gain commercial and political support. Anna organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs in West Virginia with the objective of improving sanitary conditions and improving infant mortality rates in her area.
By 1911, Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state of the Union. And in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.
Do you know why we celebrate Mother’s Day? It is to give tribute to the reason why we’re here. But do you know who started this celebration? It’s because of Anna Jarvis.
Anna Jarvis is not even a mother. She is never married and had no children. But she is recognized as the ‘Mother of Mothers Day’.
Anna Jarvis was born in the tiny town of Webster in Taylor County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. The family moved to nearby Grafton, West Virginia in her childhood. She graduated from what is now Mary Baldwin College in 1883.
After the death of her mother in 1905, Anna Jarvis resolved to honor her mother. Anna Jarvis began her efforts to help Mother’s Day gain commercial and political support. Anna organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs in West Virginia with the objective of improving sanitary conditions and improving infant mortality rates in her area.
By 1911, Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state of the Union. And in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.