Alla Bout is the wife of Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer who was convicted of illegally selling weapons to a Colombian terrorist group and sentenced to 25 years in prison in the US.
She is also a fashion designer who owns clothing stores in Russia, South Africa and Germany.
She fought for her husband’s release and defection to Russia for more than a decade, arguing that he was innocent and a victim of political persecution.
File
- Full name: Alla Vladimirovna Bout
- Date of birth: 1970
- Age: 50
- Female
- Birthplace: Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia)
- Nationality: Russian
- Occupation: Fashion designer
- Height: 178 cm
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Viktor Bout (married since 1992)
- Children: Liza Bout
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: 4 million USD
Early Life & Education
Alla Bout was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union in the 1970s. She grew up in a city famous for its cultural and artistic heritage as well as its historical significance during World War II.
She became interested in fashion and design and pursued her passion by studying at a fashion academy in Leningrad.
She graduated in fashion design and started her own business, opening clothing stores in many different countries.
Personal life
Alla Bout met her husband, Viktor Bout, in the late 1980s in Mozambique, where he worked as a translator for the Soviet army.
They fell in love and got married in 1992. They moved to the United Arab Emirates in 1993, where they lived for eight years and welcomed daughter Liza in 1994.
Alla Bout supported her husband’s career as a cargo airline operator who claimed to transport legal goods and humanitarian aid to many African countries.
She was unaware of his alleged involvement in arms trafficking and terrorism until 2001 when the U.S.
The embassy in the UAE refused to issue them visas and accused him of being a terrorist. She was shocked and confused by the accusations and defended her husband’s innocence.
She speaks: “We heard that America does not allow terrorists to enter. I thought if my husband is a terrorist, then who are the rest?”
After the United Nations imposed sanctions on Viktor Bout and froze his bank accounts, the couple moved back to their home in Moscow, where they lived on Alla Bout’s income from the workshop. her fashion.
She continues to support her husband and his business, believing that he has done nothing wrong.
She speaks: “I have lived with this strong, brave and patriotic man for more than 20 years. I was proud of him when he organized the rescue of the crew of the Ilyushin-76 plane hijacked by the Taliban in Kandahar in 1995, and I am proud of his stoic behavior in American prison today.”
Alla Bout’s life changed dramatically in March 2008 when her husband was arrested by US authorities in Thailand on charges of plotting to sell weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a terrorist group. Nominated.
He was extradited to the US in 2010 and convicted in 2011. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison and sent to a high-security facility in Illinois.
Alla Bout was devastated by the verdict and separation from her husband. She speaks: “It was a nightmare. I can not believe it. It was like a bad movie.”
Alla Bout did not abandon her husband and launched a campaign to free him and return him to Russia. She wrote to Russian authorities, the US government and international human rights organizations to demand his release and transfer.
She also visited him in prison whenever possible, despite the difficulties and expenses of coming to America. She said: “I love him so much and I miss him so much. He is my soulmate, my best friend, my everything.”
Alla Bout’s efforts paid off in December 2022 when her husband was released from prison and returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange involving basketball star Brittney Griner.
She was overjoyed to see him again and hugged him at the airport. She speaks: “I have met many of our politicians and representatives, and there have been many letters and appeals written; The conversations are always very positive.”
Career
Alla Bout is a fashion designer who owned and operated clothing stores in Russia, South Africa and Germany.
She has a degree in fashion design from the fashion academy in Leningrad. She has also worked as a fashion consultant and stylist for many different clients and events.
She has a keen sense of fashion and creativity and loves to create unique and elegant outfits. She also participates in charity and humanitarian projects, such as donating clothes and money to orphanages and hospitals in Africa.
Argumentative
Alla Bout has been embroiled in controversy because of her husband’s criminal activities and convictions.
She was accused of complicity and support of his arms trafficking and terrorism. She was also criticized for being naive and blind to his wrongdoing.
She faced hostility and rejection from some friends and acquaintances who shunned her because of her husband’s reputation.
She had also received threats and harassment from some of his enemies and rivals who tried to intimidate and harm her and her daughter.
She had to deal with the stress and anxiety of being the wife of the world’s most notorious arms dealer as well as the legal and political battles that followed.
She also had to cope with loneliness and despair when she was separated from her husband for more than a decade.
Alla Bout maintained her loyalty and love for her husband throughout the ordeal. She has defended his innocence and character, and challenged the evidence and allegations against him.
Net value
Alla Bout’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million.
Social Media
- Instagram handle name: Not applicable
- Twitter name: Not applicable
