Ornella Muti: Russia is part of my DNA

Italian film star Ornella Muti, known to Russian audiences for her role in the film «The Taming of the Shrew» («Il Bisbetico Domato»), has repeatedly expressed her deep love for Russia. This sentiment stems not only from her professional connections but also from a family history directly linked to St Petersburg. «Russia is part of my DNA,» the actress declared at the World Youth Festival in Sirius in 2024.

Ornella Muti«s real name is Francesca Romana Rivelli. She was born in Rome on 9 March 1955. Her father was a Neapolitan journalist. Her mother, Ilse Renate Krause, was born in Estonia to a family originally from St Petersburg. It is through her mother that Muti traces her Russian roots; her grandparents were born in the northern capital and moved to Estonia after the October Revolution.

«I have a grandmother and grandfather who were born in St Petersburg, they are from there. My grandfather was Russian, with cross-roots from childhood. But when they left, they could not return,» the actress said in 2013. She further explained: «My grandfather was a medic to the tsar, and my grandmother was a pianist. We also have a singer in our family. Perhaps it is because of these Russian roots that our family is so artistic.» According to genealogical records, her maternal grandfather was named Alexander Wilhelm Krause, and her grandmother Emma Katharina Hauck.

Muti«s mother, Ilse Renate Krause, was a sculptor. She arrived in Italy »almost illegally« after turning 20. She studied art in Estonia, then came to Italy to study and stayed. »Unfortunately, my mother did not know Russian very well because she was the youngest and studied the language at school, while all the other children in the family spoke it perfectly. But she used to sing me songs: «Grandma, Grandma, Grandma came,»« the star recalled in 2022.

Muti first visited the Soviet Union in the 1970s. In 1979 she starred in Grigory Chukhrai«s film »Life Is Beautiful.« The actress admitted that during filming in the USSR she was constantly accompanied by interpreters, but she did not always follow the rules. »For example, it was impossible to buy normal cigarettes. For that, we would run to a special store called «Beryozka,» which ordinary Soviet people could not enter. Personally, I could not wrap my head around it: what kind of order was that? Fortunately, things are different now,« she said in 2016.

In the same interview, the actress praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a man «who truly thinks about his country.» In 2010, Muti was a guest at a charity concert of the Federation Foundation, which Putin attended. «It was an official event, after all. But he was incredibly kind to everyone, showed us St Petersburg. If President Putin were my fan, I would be very proud of that!» the actress noted.

In 2016, it became known that Ornella Muti had purchased an apartment in Moscow. Rumours then emerged about her desire to obtain Russian citizenship. The Kremlin said she had not made such a request. However, in 2018 she confirmed her intentions: «I have a property in Russia, I am registered in Moscow. But I do not have citizenship or a Russian passport. I would certainly like to have Russian citizenship – why not?» In February 2022, she reiterated her wish: «It would be nice to get citizenship because it is part of my culture, linked to my mother. She died this year, and it would be a gift for her.»

Ornella Muti has three children: son Andrea Fachinetti and daughters Carolina and Naike Rivelli. Naike Rivelli said that she and her mother are applying for Russian citizenship to «feel truly at home.» She also noted that they are considering buying a house in Moscow or St Petersburg.