One year on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war still rages, devastating cities and communities across the nation and upending lives as families are torn apart by the ongoing military conflict. Like his constituents, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has had his life completely uprooted by the outbreak of the war, having moved from his family home into a concrete bunker located near his offices in the Bankova, the country’s equivalent of Downing Street or the Oval Office. He recently gave a rare glimpse at his personal quarters during a documentary interview, and explained the heartbreaking reason why he keeps just one suit in his wardrobe...
"I love my family but for me as president, being here was a priority,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Komarov in the recent YouTube documentary ‘YEAR’. This extraordinary behind-the-scenes footage Komarov gives viewers a first-hand look into the Ukrainian President’s new reality, as well as a tour of his modest wartime living quarters. "This is my home. I've lived here for a year,” said Zelenskyy, referring to his office, off of which is a small bedroom and bathroom.
Zelenskyy’s bedroom is sparsely furnished, with only a single bed, a small flat-screen TV and a few other modest pieces of furniture. The room gives the impression that its only purpose is as a place of respite at the end of a long day, not intended for the luxuries of quality time.
The bedroom also includes a small wash area, reminiscent of the kind that is usually found in a school dormitory. Zelenskyy explained that he has become accustomed to doing things in the dark, keeping the lights off to minimise the risk of attack.
Just off the bedroom is Zelenskyy’s small wardrobe, stocked with the military fatigues and casual attire with which he has become synonymous. “I don’t use suits right now,” Zelenskyy explained. However, he does keep one suit in the wardrobe, carefully sealed in a plastic garment bag, as a reminder that the war will be over soon, and that they will return to normal life. "We will win soon, so we will wear suits again," he said.
Back in his office, Zelenskyy keeps a reminder of just one of the many reasons he is desperate to see the end of the war: a framed photo of himself with his wife and two children, whom he has barely seen since the outbreak of the conflict last year. "The most important thing is to make them proud of me," Zelenskyy told Komarov. While he does not mind the cramped living quarters or the loss of home comforts, the extended separation from his family has been excruciating, he explains.
In stark contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has a string of mansions at his disposal. With a vast reported net worth of $200 billion (£164.8bn), which, if accurate, would make him the second-richest person in the world, Putin is no stranger to living in luxury. The first news of his massive Black Sea coast mansion was leaked back in 2010, and two years after that it was revealed that the oligarch may own up to 20 palaces, not to mention a luxurious waterfront compound on Lake Valdai, and another in Sochi.
Known as 'Putin's Palace', the Black Sea mansion is by far the most impressive, not to mention the most expensive, of Putin’s many residences. Having cost over $1 billion (£820m) to build, the palace was alleged by Putin’s long-time political opponent Alexei Navalny to be the most expensive in the world, funded by the largest bribe in history. A cache of 479 images released by Navalny in support of his claims shows opulent entertaining spaces, dramatic hallways and staircases, and grandiose bedrooms dripping in gold leaf.
The Italianate-style palace was designed by Lanfranco Cirillo, the go-to architect for Russia's elite. Construction began in 2005 on the huge structure which spans a whopping 190,000 square feet, making it more than three times bigger than the White House. In addition to its 11 bedrooms, the palace also includes a range of other unusual luxury features, including an ornately paneled theatre, a hookah lounge and lap-dancing club, a large indoor pool, an underground ice hockey rink, and an ‘aqua disco’ (yes, you read that correctly).
The huge house is furnished with expensive antiques and bespoke designer furniture, huge swathes of marble and gold leaf, and the very latest tech, security and entertainment systems. The grounds are also enormous—the palace sits in an estate 39 times the size of Monaco. Despite the huge cost, building work is still ongoing, with vast sections under reconstruction due to mould damage. Indeed, for all its opulent features, Putin is said to spend very little time at the palace, operating primarily from his Novo-Ogaryevo residence on the outskirts of Moscow.
Read on to discover more presidential boltholes and stately retreats across the world...
Unlike most of us, the political elite have the luxury of stately hideaways to hunker down in when times get tough. Behind the walls of these secret sanctuaries, the planet’s most powerful people step away from the spotlight to unwind with family and friends on their annual vacations. They are also often the backdrop for vital negotiations with political allies and enemies, where comfortable rooms and country walks provide some respite from political wrangling. Let's take a look around...
Quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of Washington, Camp David is a tranquil presidential retreat set in the stunning rural location of Catoctin Mountain Park, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was first used by President Roosevelt, who thought the area was so beautiful he named it Shangri-La (a literary name for Tibetan paradise). Later, President Eisenhower renamed the site after his grandson, David.
The elite bolthole of the US president is a collection of cabins nestled around the scenic mountainside. The presidential residence is called Aspen Lodge, pictured in 1971. Here, the First Family can enjoy the great outdoors by hiking on picturesque trails, horse riding or swimming in heated pools. Other luxury cabins with bucolic names, such as Maple Lodge, Laurel Lodge and Rosebud Lodge, are dotted around the site and used to house foreign dignitaries and their families.
Not just a place for carefree holidays, Camp David has witnessed historic moments such as the G8 Summit of 2012, pictured here inside Laurel Lodge. World leaders led by former President Obama discussed how to tackle threats to global security. Other political powerhouses around the table included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former French president Francois Hollande and Britain’s then-Prime Minister, David Cameron. 45th US President Donald Trump rarely visited the property, preferring to holiday at his personal homes instead, while his successor President Biden chose to celebrate Independence Day at the retreat in 2022.
Some of the most recognisable faces of modern history have plotted and planned within the bounds of Camp David. Pictured here, President John F. Kennedy seeks former President Eisenhower’s advice in 1961, after the devastating failure of the Bay of Pigs covert operation to topple Cuba’s communist government. Going further back in time, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited President Roosevelt at Camp David in 1943. Rumour has it they planned the D-Day invasion together there which was a major turning point in the Second World War against Nazi forces.
This magnificent manor house has been the private country retreat of British prime ministers since 1921. It’s located in a sleepy Buckinghamshire village, in an area of outstanding natural beauty at the base of the Chiltern Hills. Opinions differ on whether its name comes from the chequerboard-patterned coat of arms of one of its earliest inhabitants or from the chequer trees that flourish in its sprawling grounds.
Former UK prime minister Theresa May is pictured inside Chequers great hall, meeting with then-President Donald Trump, in 2018. A grand house existed on this site from as early as the 12th century but the present structure is a Grade I-listed Elizabethan manor. The interior is well preserved: the great hall has wood-panelled walls, typical of Tudor times. Antiques, tapestries and paintings decorate the rooms, including Admiral Lord Nelson’s pocket watch and a ring that belonged to Queen Elizabeth I.
Gifted to the nation by Viscount Lee of Fareham, the house has been a sanctuary for 18 prime ministers. Boris Johnson reportedly loved the place during his time as the UK's prime minister. He retreated to the comfort of Chequers while recuperating from coronavirus in April 2020. Prime Minister Winston Churchill was reportedly at Chequers when it was announced that Nazi Germany had attacked Russia and Churchill recorded some of his most rousing wartime speeches here.
A dark side to the house’s history is the unhappy story of Lady Mary Grey. This great-granddaughter of King Henry VIII was imprisoned at Chequers by Queen Elizabeth I as a punishment for marrying without royal permission. Although later released, she was never permitted to see her husband again. Lady Mary was the sister of the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey, who was the teenage queen of England for just nine days. Her head was cut off at the tender age of 17 on the orders of rival queen, Mary Tudor.
A stately 18th-century palace is the summer retreat for the German Chancellor. It’s about 40 miles north of Berlin in the small town of Gransee in Brandenburg. The dramatic white stucco exterior topped with a contrasting red mansard roof is typical of the theatrical architectural style of the late baroque period.
An aristocratic family had the palace built in 1739, over the burnt husk of an earlier structure. Almost 40 years later, Prince Henry of Prussia bought the house. He gifted it to a man who was rumoured to be his lover: quite a scandal in those times! Here, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pictured outside the palace, following summit talks with the then-Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, in 2010.
Inside the palace, the splendour of its baroque design is even more apparent. It’s decorated with lavish ceiling frescoes, opulent gilded walls, relief sculpture and trompe l’oeil optical illusion wall paintings. Here, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is pictured in talks with former Chancellor Angela Merkel and other ministers at Schloss Meseberg in 2018. Since his election in 2021, the current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also held retreats at the castle with his colleagues.
Centre stage during the 20th century’s most turbulent events, the palace was seized by Nazi Party commander, Hermann Goring, only to be violently snatched by the Soviets during their later occupation. This dilapidated dream home narrowly survived being demolished. But it was saved by the Messerschmitt Foundation in 1995, which spent 11 years and $30 million (£24.7m) restoring the old house to its former glory. It’s now leased to the German government for a symbolic annual rent of one euro.
Splendid isolation is on offer at the rural residence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Farmhouse at Harrington Lake in Gatineau Park, Quebec stands alone in the middle of a large lawn with breathtaking views over the lake and hills beyond. By the super-sized standards of world leaders, it’s a relatively modest hip-roofed, clapboard building with two prominent stone chimneys. Built in 1925, the front features a central gable, surrounded by two smaller gables and quaint wooden shutters.
The cosy interior is typical of cottage architecture of the 1920s, where good craftsmanship and functionality were prized. Stone fireplaces and open verandas add to its informal character, making for a comfortable family retreat. The living room is pictured here in a 2011 snapshot from the National Capital Commission, which manages the property. Notice how the multi-pane wood sash windows with wood shutters add to the rustic vibe.
Glamorous couple Prime Minister Trudeau and his TV personality wife Sophie Gregoire often bring their family to enjoy the spectacular outdoor setting. The house has been a haven for six prime ministers of Canada, since it was gifted to the state in 1959. The lovely lakeside residence has undergone CA$11.7 million (£7.2m/$8.7m) in renovations since 2019, including an exterior refresh, new sprinklers and a new kitchen reportedly valued at CA$735,000 (£452/$548k) alone.
The luxurious enclosed sun porch, pictured here in 2011, provides relaxing views across Lac Mousseau, as Harrington Lake is called in Canadian French. Foreign dignitaries are comfortably housed in a choice of two guest cottages on the site. There’s also a boathouse and dock so world leaders can enjoy a relaxing row on the lake in between negotiating global policies.
Possibly the most imposing presidential hideaway in existence, this medieval fortress is perched on an islet just off the French Riviera. Connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, it’s perfectly positioned to avoid prying eyes and paparazzi cameras. This historic treasure has been the official retreat of the French president since 1968. At 35 metres above sea level, the views must be breathtaking.
The current fort's history stretches back to 1483 but the islet itself has offered safe haven to dwellers long before that. Positioned on an outcrop attached to the main island by a narrow stretch of land, it's easy to defend and totally secure thanks to its military defences. It's passed through the hands of many important and royal French families in that time, offering them the ultimate secure luxury bolthole.
You’d imagine the interior of this fairytale castle to be sumptuous. Indeed, the gilded walls, classic furniture and opulent floor covering in this 2014 picture of a living room in the fort seem to confirm this. However, it’s said at least three French presidents shunned the castle, complaining it was too dark, cold and plagued by biting insects for their liking. But France’s most famous leader, Napoleon, loved the place. He repaired it, transforming it into a formidable military stronghold.
Holding a unique place in Japan’s history, Akasaka Palace in Tokyo has been a splendid stage for meetings with monarchs and presidents. Created for the Crown Prince in 1909, it’s the only property in the country to be built in the baroque revival style. It was designed at the height of the Meiji period, when the Japanese Empire began to emerge as a world power. The palace transferred from royal hands to the Japanese government after the Second World War.
Pictured here, former President Donald Trump meets the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Asahi no Ma room in 2019. Opulent is an understatement, with fabulous frescoes depicting Aurora, Roman goddess of the dawn. The carpet is woven in a cherry blossom motif, using threads dyed in 47 shades to achieve subtle colour changes. Panels of velvet-flocked silk damask from Kyoto's textile district and 16 columns of pink marble adorn the walls.
The sumptuousness of the palace is fit to rival any of the great European castles. This former ballroom—known as the Room of Hagoromo—is decorated with gilded plaster reliefs of musical instruments and has an orchestra gallery at one end. It's used now for formal welcome ceremonies and events, creating an amazing first impression with huge crystal chandeliers and an exquisite hand-painted canvas adorning the ceiling.
This grand house has only recently become a premier's retreat. It was John Howard who decided at the start of his Prime Ministership in 1996 that Kirribilli House would function as his primary place of residence. Originally hailing from Syndey, Howard said that he wanted to keep his family together as one of his sons attended high school there but it did cause controversy at the time
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny at Kirribilli House back in 2018. Before stepping back as senior royals and relocating to the US, the runaway royal pair undertook an official 16-day tour, visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Prime Minister Morrison and his family liked the house so much that they made it their primary residence, shunning the official prime ministerial residence in Canberra. However, unlike his predecessor, the country's current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has decided to reside at the main presidential property, The Lodge in Canberra, rather than Kirribilli House.
This 16th-century palace stands proud on top of a hill, overlooking the beautiful Buskett Gardens in the Siggiewi region of Malta. It’s served as an extremely grand bolthole for Malta’s presidents since 1987. As a fine example of Renaissance architecture, its exterior incorporates a symmetrical front with turrets on each corner. If you’re a fan of TV series Game of Thrones, you might have spotted the mother of dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, here in season one.
The commanding castle was built in 1586 on the site of an earlier hunting lodge. Created as a majestic home for the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, it passed through the hands of many powerful men and later became a military prison. Bizarrely, it was turned into a silk factory for a time in the early 19th century. Restored to magnificence decades later, it became a private summer retreat of the President of Malta from the late 80s.
Jair Bolsonaro served as Brazil's 38th president from 2019 to 2022, having been succeeded by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October in a closely run race. Bolsonaro's loss and divisive rhetoric sparked riots from his supporters, some of whom refuse to accept the transfer of power, leading to the storming of Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace. Amid the furore, far-right figure Bolsonaro decamped to a plush Florida resort to lay low and wait out the turmoil.
As tensions escalate in Brazil, American lawmakers have called for Bolsonaro to be extradited from the US. Joaquin Castro, a member of the US House foreign affairs committee, told CNN: "The United States should not be a refuge for this authoritarian who has inspired domestic terrorism in Brazil.” However, the former president doesn't appear to be in any rush to leave his Sunshine State bolthole. Bolsonaro is currently said to be hunkering down in a luxurious home at the Encore Resort at Reunion, in Kissimmee, Florida. Supporters of the former president have reportedly travelled to the resort to catch a glimpse of the ousted leader.
Bolsonaro's safe haven doesn't in fact belong to him, but to his close friend and confidant José Aldo, a former Brazilian UFC champion and professional mixed martial artist. Aldo is thought to be hosting Bolsonaro and his wife at his lavish nine-bedroom home at the resort, where the retired fighter also owns another property, which he rents out to vacationers. In a break with tradition, Bolsonaro was reportedly taking in the sights in Florida when his successor, Mr da Silva, was sworn in as president on 1 January 2023.
Realtor and interior designer Juliana Fernandes offered fans a glimpse inside Aldo's home in 2021, when she showed off the results of an ambitious renovation project carried out by the Hall Design Group on her YouTube channel. The expansive living spaces are modern and beautifully appointed, with an airy open layout and decadent gold-and-glass light fixtures. However, the overhaul also included some playful additions to the property...
One of the property's most unusual spaces is this Minion-themed bedroom, which features wallpaper and furnishings that pay homage to the yellow cartoon characters. Since arriving in Florida, Bolsonaro has reportedly spent his time greeting supporters, grocery shopping and most notably, indulging in KFC in Orlando on the day of the incoming Brazilian president's inauguration. However, according to his wife, he was recently admitted to a Florida hospital on 9 January 2023 to receive treatment for complications from an old stab wound. We wonder how long Bolsonaro's stay in the Sunshine State will last.
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