Biography
Who is Anna Chapman?
Early life and background
Anna Chapman was born Anna Vasilyevna Kushchenko on February 23, 1982, in Volgograd, Russia. Her father, Vasily Kushchenko, worked as a senior official and served as a Russian ambassador to various locations. Growing up, Anna pursued higher education and earned a master's degree in economics with first class honours from Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.
In 2001, while in Zimbabwe, she met a British DJ named Marcus Read. She persuaded him to help her secure an invitation to the United Kingdom, allowing her to move to Britain later that summer. During her time abroad, she maintained connections related to her background and family.
Life in London and marriage
After arriving in London in 2001, Anna attended a rave party in the London Docklands. There, she met Alex Chapman, an employee at Sony who had attended a public school in Bournemouth. The two married shortly afterward in Moscow. Through this marriage, she acquired British citizenship and a British passport to use alongside her native Russian citizenship.
During her time living in London between 2003 and 2004, she secured employment at corporate firms including NetJets and Barclays. Anna and Alex Chapman eventually divorced in 2006. Years later, in March 2018, reports confirmed that Alex Chapman had passed away from a drug overdose in May 2015 at the age of 36.
New York residency and arrest
In 2009, Anna moved to New York and took up residence at 20 Exchange Place in Manhattan, located near Wall Street. Her professional profile identified her as the chief executive officer of PropertyFinder LLC, an international real estate website. While living in the United States, she was reportedly linked to a restaurant owner named Michel Bittan and faced allegations regarding the purchase of restricted substances.
In June 2010, federal authorities arrested her in New York as part of the Illegals Program, which involved a network of Russian agents. She was accused of acting as an agent for a foreign government without notifying the United States Attorney General. Following her arrest, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and was transferred out of the country.
Deportation and return to Russia
In July 2010, Anna and several other detainees were deported to Russia as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. The transfer took place via a chartered flight that landed in Vienna before proceeding to Moscow. Following her return, the British government revoked her UK citizenship and barred her from entering the country, citing national security powers.
Back in Russia, Anna transitioned into various public roles. She became the head of a youth council for Young Guard of United Russia, began hosting a television program titled Secrets of the World on REN TV, and served as an editor for Venture Business News magazine.
Birthday and age
Anna Chapman was born on February 23, 1982, which makes Anna 44 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Anna shares the date with 26 other famous people.
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