Yulia Doinikova

Sometimes you need drastic changes. It’s the only way to keep moving forward. I was practically one of the founders of the Russian glossy press, I had been working in this sphere for 10 years, and know all about it to a point where I don’t see any opportunities for my further development here. But a person can only live when he’s developing. Besides, there’s also such thing as personal harmony. When I was leaving, someone asked me, “Why are you leaving? You’ve got such a great position. Everybody knows you. It’s been smooth sailing for you.” And I said, “I need life balance.”

Life is full of surprises. I’ve started my life all over a few times. And, normally, things would get even better than they were before. I consider myself to be a die-hard optimist. Life’s good, and it’s about to get even better!

Glossy press is a parallel world. Like a kind of an age-specific game.

I love golf. In our country, it’s a “limited edition” type of sport. There’s not enough time, the season’s too short, and there aren’t that many golf clubs. To be able to play it properly, you have to keep practising “swing” (which has got nothing to do with partner swapping) and “putt”. The first time I held a club was 10 years ago in America. Today, I can’t say that I’ve reached the level of a professional player.

We get together with girls every now and again for a game or two, and this year I’ve even won my first cup, but I have to admit, I had a very strong player as a partner…a guy.

My friends say that I’m like an Energizer battery. Not only at work. I can party the whole night through, then sleep for two hours, get up and, say, go have a look at how the renovation of my flat is going. My active lifestyle also affects my driving habits: sporty, fast, aggressive. So when I got a Mercedes, I had to change it completely — this car you have to drive dignifiedly.

I travel a lot. Whenever I get a weekend off, I’m always happy to fly to Paris. It’s one of my favourite cities, which I know very well, even though I don’t speak French. I used to study it when I was at the university, but have long forgotten everything. That’s my new challenge. Pour quoi pas?

I’m more of a dog person than a cat person. Dogs are more intelligent and loyal. I had always kept big dogs. But after my Afghan Hound, Saaid, who had been a part of the family for 15 years, died, I decided that I’d never have a dog again. And now, two months ago, I’ve “adopted” an adorable 2-year-old Rabbit Dachshund, or, to be more precise, he chose me. It’s not easy, and there are a lot of problems, but positive emotions still outweigh everything. He’s always very happy when I’m home.

I prefer “combination”. Moscow is definitely not a place to live. The right way to do it is come here to make money, but live in Europe or on some remote island, preferably uninhabited, with your family and friends.

I know America inside out. I once almost married a millionaire Republican. USA is a perfectly comfortable country for me. It’s very disciplined.

Divorce is a very inspiring thing to do. After I’d married a wealthy man who I was madly in love with, it seemed to me that I was living a fairytale. But as the time went by, I started experiencing certain discomfort. Turns out, some of the men who live in “Rublevka area” tend to believe that a woman has to know her place and be treated like dirt. So one day, I left to start my life from scratch. The problem is, with men like those, you have to leave with a 100 dollars in your pocket. After you get over the shock, you clench your fists, and start earning your own living, and it’s only then that you realize what life really should be like! It’s your life and you’re your own master. Nobody can take away what you’ve earned yourself.

I’ve developed a fear of serious relationships, especially if a man is really worth something. Nevertheless, I still believe that sooner or later the relationship I seek for will find me, because I feel that I’m ready for it.

I have a friend who earns big bucks, she’s a millionaire banker, and her husband is just an ordinary doctor. But his word for her is law. They’ve managed to find a compromise, and that’s what matters. It’s just that in their family, she’s the one who knows how to earn money. And it’s working out for them, they’ve got everything: love, understanding, and kids.

Love for me is an ultimate impulse. With me, it’s always love at first sight. I believe in karmic unions.

Money is energy. When there’s a lot of it, it fills you up, when there’s little…well, rather have a lot (laughs)!

I can’t afford downshifting, because I love Chanel too much.