Inside the opulent world of Moscow’s elite through a British tutor’s eyes
British journalist Cameron Manley found himself in the heart of Moscow's extravagant lifestyle, offering private tutoring to the children of the Russian elite. He was astounded by the extravagance surrounding his students - sprawling estates, private jets, and chauffeurs at the beck and call of teenagers.
22 March 2024 10:08
Employed to educate the progeny of Moscow's wealthiest, Manley began his role at the end of 2021 and continued until Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted his company to relocate to Monaco. His observations were shared in Business Insider.
- The agency served the Russian elite, plunging me into a realm of private jets, heavily guarded residences, and personal drivers – he recounted.
He noted a stark contrast between his students' daily lives and the existence of the average Russian. He described his pupils as "pleasant" yet "detached from reality".
One notable example was a thirteen-year-old named Alexei, who was taken aback that his teacher lacked a personal masseur. - He showed up to our office in Balenciaga trainers worth around £820, flaunting a watch whose value quintupled that - Manley shared.
British tutor sheds light on teaching Russian oligarchs’ children
Manley encountered two kinds of parents: "those who lavishly spent on their children out of love, and those who did so to avoid engaging with them". He sadly observed that "a significant number fall into the latter category".
He reminisced about a time when he was summoned to a seaside villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat—among the globe's priciest locales—to teach siblings. Initially made to wait outside, the nanny directed him to a closet "hidden away in the house's recesses," where he was to remain unseen until the children's arrival.
- In Moscow, our lessons often unfolded in Rublyovka, a prestigious guarded community west of the capital, also home to Vladimir Putin - he mentioned.
The Brit revealed that numerous families were scouting for schooling options for their children in the West or the United Arab Emirates following the war's outbreak, with wealthy Russians seeking refuge there. The tuition fees stood at about £120 per hour. Tutors must possess a native English accent and have been educated at British universities.
Manley ended up caring for children who turned out to be the grandchildren of a high-ranking Russian politician with a pivotal role in the Ukraine conflict. He steered clear of politics in his teachings, though the children occasionally shared their views.
- Their remarks seemed to mirror the beliefs likely instilled at home - Manley speculated. One of the children once gestured towards a picture of Vladimir Putin and quipped: "Oh, he's amazing!"
Source: Business Insider
