The Mikhalkov family has always been famous for its descendants; their works have taken a worthy place in the cultural life of our country and are known far abroad. The father of our today's hero, the famous director Nikita Mikhalkov, in addition to creativity, is also actively involved in social activities, and his mother is actress Anastasia Vertinskaya, famous since Soviet times. Of course, many have already guessed that this article will talk about the biography of Stepan Mikhalkov. Despite his famously talented ancestors, he found himself not in directing or cinema, but in business. But personal life of Stepan Mikhalkov colorfully illustrates how creative talents can be harmoniously combined with entrepreneurship.

The biography of Stepan Mikhalkov began 48 years ago. In an effort to develop in their son what was given by nature, the parents decided to send him to the Moscow Art School. After its graduation, the young heir to the famous family served his legal term in the Far East. Upon returning from the army, Stepan Mikhalkov decided to continue his education at the Institute of Foreign Languages, which, however, he never graduated from. But he studied at the Moscow Film School. However, although he appeared a couple of times as an actor on screens, this is where he ended his creative career. This is because the business associated with the creation of video clips and restaurants turned out to be more to the liking of Stepan Mikhalkov. Today he is the owner of an entire chain of restaurants. This business has captivated him so much that he doesn’t even think about anything else. Stepan Mikhalkov uses his creative talents and subtle aesthetic sense to create an original and cozy atmosphere in his establishments.

In the photo - Stepan Mikhalkov with his second wife Elizaveta Ilyina

The personal life of a businessman is firmly connected with representatives of another creative profession, which has long turned into a business - with models. His first wife, Alla Spivakova, came into his life immediately after leaving the army, but became his official wife much later. Their marriage lasted 12 years, and then the couple divorced due to boredom in the relationship that Stepan Mikhalkov began to experience. Even three children did not save the family from collapse - daughter Alexandra and sons Vasily and Peter. True, the children periodically communicate with their father and even get along with his new wife. The restaurateur married again to model Elizaveta Ilyina. She is younger than her famous husband, but the couple found common ground, the most important of which was religion. Stepan Mikhalkov noted that he had long been looking for a woman like his new wife - beautiful, smart, modern, but at the same time a sincere adherent of Orthodoxy. Naturally, the couple not only got married, but got married. It happened on March 1, 2008, literally six months after we met. Since then, Stepan Mikhalkov and Elizaveta Ilyina have been practically inseparable.

Today, almost everyone knows the Russian Mikhalkov dynasty: artists, poets, writers, actors. Looking at the family tree, you can see that each of the Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky family was a famous person who made a significant contribution to the culture of Russia. This also applies to the representative of the fifth generation, Stepan Mikhalkov, the son of Nikita Mikhalkov and Nastya Vertinskaya. Of course, all the children in this acting family were involved in creativity from an early age. But who Stepan Mikhalkov really is and how his creative path developed, not everyone knows today.

Biography

At the end of September 1966, Stepan was born. From early childhood he showed artistic ability, so his parents sent him to the Moscow Art School, where he received his secondary education. After graduating from school, the young man served in the army in the Far East.

When Stepan Mikhalkov, whose biography is full of interesting facts, returned from the Armed Forces, he entered the Institute of Foreign Languages, where he studied for three years. Then he studied the basics of cinema and media business at the Moscow Film School, graduating in 1991. At the same time, Stepan, together with his childhood friend F. Bondarchuk, created a studio for the production of music and advertising videos called “Art Pictures Group”. Videos for songs by such Russian singers as Alla Pugacheva, Anzhelika Varum, Valeria, Boris Grebenshchikov and many others were created here.

Stepan Mikhalkov, whose biography is interesting and fascinating, was one of the founders and organizers of the “Generation” festival, where commercials and video clips were shown.

Since 2005, Art Pictures Group has been producing and releasing video films.

Filmography

As a student at the Moscow Film School, Stepan Mikhalkov acted in films. He played a cameo role in the comedy “The Hitchhiker” in 1990, and in 1994 he got a supporting role in the film “Shooting Angels.” Stepan also made a name for himself as a producer. He directed the films “On the Move” (2002), “Ice” (2003) and “The Ninth Company” (2005). He has not yet proven himself as a director, but claims that it is never too late to come to this.

Film school, of course, gave Stepan a lot, especially since he had someone to learn from. But he did not seek to make a career as an actor, since most of all he liked being a restaurateur. Although today he has something to do with cinema.

Business

Stepan loves to spend time in restaurants, since he absorbed the atmosphere there from a young age. That is why he and his childhood friend came up with the idea of ​​​​creating the ideal restaurant. In addition, this activity brings considerable income.

In 2001, Stepan Mikhalkov, together with F. Bondarchuk and A. Novikov, opened the first restaurant “Vanilla”. A little later (2004), two more restaurants opened under the names “Veterok” and “Vertinsky”, and in 2005 another establishment “Casual” appeared.

Almost every businessman knows Stepan Mikhalkov's restaurant, since all of his establishments are premium or business class. In addition, Mikhalkov Jr. is the owner of the Bread and Co bakery chain. And in 2007, he opened a chain of Italian restaurants “Lemoncello” with affordable prices.

Restaurants

Stepan named the Vertinsky restaurant in honor of his maternal grandfather, who was an extraordinary Russian chansonnier. Here the emphasis was on Chinese cuisine - in memory of my grandfather's emigration after the revolution. Over time, the restaurant began serving Russian dishes, recipes for which were passed down in their family from one generation to another.

The Vanil restaurant is the most glamorous place in Moscow. There is a “eatout” system here, which makes the relationship between visitors and employees as transparent and open to fashion trends as possible. Stepan himself says that when opening a restaurant, you need to focus only on your own taste, since people have different tastes: some like, for example, watermelons, while others like plums.

Stepan Mikhalkov. Personal life

After the army, Stepan meets Alla Sivakova thanks to his neighbor, choreographer A. Kulakov. The young people began dating and then living together.

Four years later, the couple had a daughter, Sasha (1992), and after some time Vasily (1999) and Peter (2002) were born. After twelve years of marriage, Stepan Mikhalkov separated from his wife.

In 2008, Stepan Mikhalkov married Lisa Ilyina. They met in 2007 at the Vanilla restaurant. Now the couple spends their free time together, attending various events. The young people do not have any children together yet.

Today

Today Stepan Mikhalkov is a successful businessman and producer. He has a subtle artistic taste, so his restaurants are always cozy and comfortable.

Stepan's accuracy and correctness in relations with partners and work colleagues makes him a good entrepreneur, and his strategic abilities help him manage the company and plan its activities. Thanks to these qualities, Mikhalkov Jr.’s business is thriving.

In his spare time, he plays tennis, snowboards, and takes up photography. Stepan sees his famous father once a month; his dad often dines at his restaurants. He visits his mother periodically. He doesn’t like sudden visits from relatives, so he tries to visit them himself from time to time.

Stepan Mikhalkov did not become a director like his father, because he was not attracted to such activities. Today he is not attracted to his career as an actor. He devotes all his time to the restaurant business, and profitability plays an important role in this.

Today Stepan can often be found with his second wife in one of the restaurants or at some social event. He sees his children from his first marriage periodically.

Stepan Mikhalkov is a Russian restaurateur, music video director, producer, owner of the Art Pictures Studio company, specializing in the creation of videos, film production and advertising.

Childhood and youth

Stepan Mikhalkov was born in Moscow on September 24, 1966. His father was a famous director and actor, and his mother was a charming actress. As a child, Stepan was surrounded on all sides by creative people from among his relatives. In addition, the pedigree of each of the parents was replete with famous names. On his father’s side, his grandfather was a Soviet writer, his great-grandfather was a painter, and his great-great-grandfather was a Russian artist. My maternal grandfather is a brilliant chansonnier.

Anastasia and Nikita got married six months after the birth of their first child. The newlyweds alternately lived in the house of Nikita Mikhalkov’s older brother, then at the Mikhalkovs’ dacha. Since both parents were busy, Stepan spent a lot of time behind the scenes of theaters and on the sidelines of creative unions, the boy tried restaurant cuisine early. When visiting his mother’s father’s house, Stepan always plunged into the elements of Georgian cuisine, to which his grandmother taught him.

When Stepan was three years old, his parents filed for divorce. Stepan alternately lived with his mother and with his father’s family. Anastasia devoted a lot of effort to raising Stepan, calling him the main man in her life. Nikita Mikhalkov's eldest son has developed a close relationship with his half-brother and sisters. He also maintained a relationship with his cousin.

Stepan studied at school 31 on Tverskaya Street in a parallel class with. At first, Mikhalkov Jr. was known as a hooligan, but over the years Stepan’s attitude towards life changed. A serious hobby emerged, my first self-earned money.

During school, the family did not incline Mikhalkov Jr. towards an acting, directing or writing career. Instead, he was passionate about drawing and even graduated from school at the Moscow State Art Institute. . After this, the young man went to serve in the Far East, in the border troops. As Stepan Nikitich himself later claimed, his army years helped him grow up.

Upon returning to civilian life, Nikita Mikhalkov’s son passed the entrance exams to the Institute of Foreign Languages, but after three years of studying at this educational institution, he still made a choice towards a career in cinema. In 1991, the director's son graduated from the Moscow Film School. While studying, Stepan played cameo roles in two films: in the film “The Hitchhiker,” directed by his father Nikita Mikhalkov, and in the fantasy project “Shooting Angels,” on which Vladimir Shteryanov worked.

At this point, the filmography of actor Mikhalkov stopped expanding. Stepan considered his first acting experience unsuccessful and did not appear on camera again. The creative biography of Mikhalkov Jr. took a different direction.

Business

After graduating from the Moscow Film School, Stepan Mikhalkov nevertheless decided that the laurels of a film actor or director were not for him. He was much more interested in producing; in addition, the guy was thinking about opening his own restaurant.

His serious career began when, in collaboration with Fyodor Bondarchuk, with whom Stepan Nikitich had been friends since childhood, he opened a company called “Art Pictures” in 1992. In 2006, the company was renamed Art Pictures Studio. In fact, it was the first private company in the Russian Federation that specialized in creating commercials and video clips. In the early years, Bondarchuk and Mikhalkov invested almost all the money they earned in the development of their brainchild.

Soon the company became known in wide circles and began to receive orders for the production of videos from famous performers and others. Over time, “Art Pictures” also began to specialize in organizing art exhibitions, festivals, and opening youth clubs.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the studio finally turned to film production. Russian films “On the Move”, “Ice”, “”, “HEAT”, “Inhabited Island” were shot on it.

As already noted, after graduating from the Moscow Film School, Stepan Mikhalkov, despite his young age, thought about a career as a restaurateur. Since childhood, he adored this atmosphere and dreamed of creating an ideal restaurant in which everything would correspond to his idea of ​​the most pleasant place on earth.

Stepan Nikitich began to implement these plans in 2001, when, together with the same Fyodor Bondarchuk, as well as another partner, he created the first restaurant called “Vanil”. A few years later, the restaurateur became one of the owners of the establishments Veterok, Vertinsky, Casual, Lemoncello, as well as the chain of bakeries Khleb&Co and the budget dumpling shop Sibirsky Express.

The restaurateur also tried to get into the furniture business, but in 2016 it turned out that this project brought him multimillion-dollar debts.

Stepan Mikhalkov not only manages successful (and not so successful) projects and publishes "Instagram" photo against the backdrop of luxurious interiors, but also does charity work. So, in 2015, he and his wife regularly came to the village of Vorobyetsovo, located in the Ivanovo region, and helped Father Meliton. The hieromonk adopted eight children, built a house, as well as a temple and a rehabilitation center for disabled children.

Personal life

Mikhalkov Jr.’s first wife, professional model Alla Sivakova, appeared in his life shortly after young Stepan returned from the army. A handsome guy, whose height allowed the girl to walk next to him in high heels, charmed Alla and invited her to move in together two days after the first meeting. The future spouses met thanks to choreographer Anatoly Kulakov, who was a friend of Stepan Nikitich, and Sivakova “choreographed his gait” while working at the Arbat Fashion House.

At first, the couple settled in the creative workshop of Sergei Mikhalkov, and when the huge premises had to be given away, they were sheltered by the producer’s mother, Anastasia Vertinskaya. Soon the couple purchased their own home.

In this marriage, Stepan had children: daughter Sasha and sons Vasily and Peter. The young couple registered their marriage two years after the birth of their daughter, in 1994. Alla left her career and completely immersed herself in the family business. She took care of accounting, supplying restaurants with food, and participated in personnel selection. Alas, the couple’s happiness did not last forever, and after 12 years of marriage there was a divorce.

Stepan Mikhalkov did not inform the public about the reasons for the change in his personal life. But for the first time after the divorce, he was credited with an affair with model Yulia Vizgalina, which did not lead to serious changes.

In 2008, the restaurateur’s new chosen one was Elizaveta Ilyina, a model. The girl at that time was 25 years old, and she had already worked on recognized fashion catwalks in Paris, London, Milan, and New York. Elizaveta comes from the family of first-rank diving captain Yuri Fedorovich Goremychkin, who is the girl’s grandfather. Elizabeth’s father is also a former military man and runs his own business.

The future spouses met at Stepan Mikhalkov’s restaurant “Vanil”. The wedding of a couple in love was held not only in the registry office: the newlyweds were also married in a church. Nikita Mikhalkov was not present at the gala event; at that moment he was on the set of the film “Burnt by the Sun 2”.

After getting married, Elizaveta Mikhalkova gradually ended her modeling career and began producing filming. Later, the girl mastered the profession of landscape designer and gardener.

Stepan Mikhalkov is a follower of dietary nutrition and a supporter of a healthy lifestyle. The restaurateur spends several hours a week on the tennis court and loves to play football. In winter, he goes snowboarding. With a height of 175 cm, the restaurateur’s weight reaches 72 kg.

Stepan Mikhalkov now

On May 6, 2017, a long-awaited joyful event occurred in the family: Elizabeth gave Stepan a son, who was named Luke according to the calendar. And less than a year later, Alexandra, Stepan’s eldest daughter, gave birth to a son, Fyodor. The boy's father was a young actor. Now photos of the two heirs of the creative dynasty are increasingly appearing on the pages of their parents on social networks.

Stepan Mikhalkov: “It’s already difficult to count how many children and grandchildren there are in our family”

The son of Nikita Mikhalkov and Anastasia Vertinskaya, restaurateur Stepan Mikhalkov, and his wife Elizaveta invited HELLO! to their country house and introduced them to their son Luka, who was born last year

The house of Stepan and Elizabeth on Nikolina Gora smells of bread and apples. As soon as you cross the threshold, you feel a warm, sweetish aroma that immediately takes you back to childhood. We are met by the owner - in a cozy sweater and jeans, Stepan opens the door with a huge red cat under his arm.

The spacious living room is bathed in afternoon sun with a fireplace and a heavy table filled with books and wedding photographs. Large windows overlooking pine trees and bunches of viburnum, glass doors leading to the garden - here you can’t help but feel like the hero of a novel, the action of which takes place in a landowner’s estate. It’s all the more difficult to believe that just five years ago there was no building here, no tall trees dropping golden leaves, acorns and chestnuts. “We built the house in just two years, and the trees and shrubs were brought in and planted later,” says Stepan. In the corner of the living room there is a huge cage with a canary. When the warm rays of the sun reflect off its lemon back, the bird begins to trill. And at this moment you are afraid to even breathe, so as not to accidentally disturb her beautiful song.

The kettle is making noise in the kitchen. Lisa calls to the table, where cups, jars of honey and jam, homemade cheese and pine nuts are already placed. There are red berries in a large wicker basket in the middle of the table. "We“We walked and walked and looked at the hawthorn growing,” says Stepan, nodding at the basket. - We tried it, and it’s amazingly sweet. We started thinking about how to pack: Lisa only had a Louis Vuitton bag with her. But then it turned out that there was a bag of pies in it. I had to quickly eat them and put some hawthorn in the bag. There were a lot of berries, so Louis Vuitton also came into play."

Stepan and Elizaveta got married ten years ago. Before meeting Mikhalkov, Lisa worked as a model in America and Europe. “At the time of the wedding, I was 24,” she recalls. “I didn’t think about children and treated marriage a little frivolously. The desire to have a child arose closer to 30. Now I can say with complete confidence that motherhood has changed me a lot.”
(Lisa: dress, Fendi. Stepan: turtleneck, Boss; trousers, Brunello Cucinelli. Luca: shirt, trousers, cardigan, all - Bonpoint; sneakers, Nike (“Kangaroo”))

Stepan, Elizaveta, this year is your 10th wedding anniversary...

Yes, we also recently calculated. The first reaction was something like this - only ten? But it seems like 20! ( Laughs.) Because all the memories from my distant modeling youth were replaced by the joy of family life, to my great happiness.

And I thought about this date with gratitude - to Lisa, to God. I approached marriage consciously - I no longer have the same goals as at 25-30 years old, when I want to achieve some success and it seems that this is the main thing. Although I don’t like all these anniversaries... I remember with a shudder the day when I turned 50. Everyone called and shouted into the phone: “You have fifty dollars!” Dad was especially happy - they say, now you will know what it’s like. Despite the fact that he is not much older than me - only 20 years. My mother was just as happy when my daughter Sasha had a son. She teased: “Grandfather, grandfather!” Mom forbids calling her grandmother, so when I became a grandfather, she happily took revenge.

“Thanks to Lisa, I have changed a lot,” says Stepan. “I have become more patient and less critical.”
(Lisa: dress, Chloe (TSUM); coat, Escada Sport; boots, Lanvin; basket with gardening supplies, Esthetic Garden. Stepan: turtleneck, Boss; trousers, Brooks Brothers; jacket, Brunello Cucinelli; sneakers, BALLY)

How does Anastasia Alexandrovna ask to be addressed?

Nana. By the way, my father also doesn’t like being called grandfather, so everyone calls him Nikiton.

Nana and Nikiton. It's like something out of physics...

We also have a joke about this. When my mother became a great-grandmother, Lisa began calling her a term from physics - Nana-pro. ( Laughs.)

Elizaveta and Stepan in the courtyard of their country house.
(Lisa: dress, jacket, Chloe (TSUM). Stepan: jacket, Brunello Cucinelli; turtleneck, Boss; trousers, Brooks Brothers. Basket with gardening supplies, Esthetic Garden)

Lisa goes to see her son, who woke up and called her from the next room. And a few minutes later he returns with a blond, ruddy boy in his arms. “Luka Stepanovich,” Elizabeth smiles as she introduces the baby, who is now one and four years old.

You got married ten years ago, but you only recently had a child. Did you want to live for yourself?

At the time of my wedding, I was only 24. I wanted a romantic relationship, and I was not ready for a child - I was a child myself, and the Lord did not give me parenthood. Everything has its time. At first, it’s so strange and unusual to spend time not on yourself, but on another person who has his whole life ahead of him, and you are responsible for it.

Icons occupy an important place - they are in almost every room

Now I no longer perceive a child as the meaning of life. More like a part of it. The meaning of life for me is different: to understand and get to know myself - primarily through relationships with the people around me, with children. I have four of them, three from my first marriage. And with the birth of each, something changed in me. When my daughter appeared, I was not ready for children at all - it was good news, but it did not mean that I was going to educate myself and change my life for a child. Thank God, despite all this, Sasha grew up to be a normal person, I am pleased and proud of her. Now I would devote more time and attention to relationships than then. At that age there were other goals: success, material well-being, self-realization. And this seemed more important than children. I don't think so now.

The mansion was designed by Belgian architect Stefan Boyens. From the side of the main entrance, the Mi-khalkovs got a Northern European house with a brick facade

So you behave differently with Luka?

Yes. Maybe partly because there is no longer any need to prove anything.

With the birth of Luka, Stepan became more patient. We don’t have a nanny, we are raising our son on our own, and Styopa helps a lot. He literally saves you when you have no strength and want to relax, he takes all the worries about the baby upon himself.

Stepan, what do you and your son do?

I cook him breakfast - his favorite oatmeal, we also go to the barbershop and like to tumble: I take Luka by the hands, lift him upside down, spin him and throw him on the pillows. We ride a bike - he sits on a special seat in a funny helmet, very similar to an astronaut. ( Smiles.) My son also goes with me to tennis lessons. I play, and he watches with interest and repeats.

Dining room. According to the architect's idea, the fireplace is located several levels higher than usual and resembles an old kitchen hearth

Luke was born when you turned 50 years old. Did you have any fears about becoming a mature parent?

Fear of not being able to do something in time, not delivering enough, and not understanding it correctly? Probably not. I see men becoming fathers at 70 and nothing bothers them. On the contrary, I had some youthful fears. When the child did not sleep at night at first, we lived with a nanny 24 hours a day. Then I realized that if it weren’t for her, either Lisa or I would have to get up five to ten times during the night. And that was a little scary. But then everything returned to normal - I remembered something, realized something, got used to something. Now we don’t have nannies and we can cope, and many can cope with more than one child. Everything is real, you just need to organize your life correctly.

I think everyone finds themselves in conditions that they are ready to accept. This is how we live now. Yes, I’m tired, but that means it’s necessary. If we had come across some kind of miracle nanny that we couldn’t do without, everything would have been different.

Stepan and Elizaveta in the kitchen. The couple love to cook and often experiment with different dishes.
(Lisa: dress, H&M. Stepan: turtleneck, Boss; jeans, Pal Zileri)

Why didn't your previous nannies please you?

I'm a bad employer. It’s difficult with me: a perfectionist, very demanding. I need the nanny to do everything the same way as I do. And then, in Russia there is no profession of “nanny” - it’s always some kind of auntie who wants to be something more. My friends and I call this “granny syndrome.” In general, we did not find a suitable assistant, so we decided to part with all the nannies. Now a teacher goes to Luka twice a week; she was recommended to me by a parishioner at the church. I am pleased - the classes are held in a playful, unobtrusive and interesting way.

We are against so-called early development. I believe that development should be timely, but the habit of studying, having a daily routine and organizing oneself disciplines and helps in the future.

“With the birth of Luka, the situation in the house changed. Previously, we had a lot of interior things - we had to remove them until our son grew up.”
(Stepan: turtleneck, Boss; jeans, Pal Zileri; jacket, Hugo Hugo Boss; boots, Fratelli Rossetti)

Stepan in his office, which also serves as a library, with his family’s pet, an orange cat named Peach.
(Turtleneck, Boss; trousers, Brunello Cucinelli; boots, Fratelli Rossetti)

Will you send Luka to kindergarten?

Why not? Nowadays kindergartens are not the same as they used to be. I remember my nightmare Soviet kindergarten - everyone had to walk in formation and obey. And if you don’t march in order, it means you have a bad character, and your parents will be informed about this. They complained about me to my mom, and she then told my dad. I fought, disobeyed and did what I wanted. And it's the same at school. He made everyone laugh in class, and my mother was called to the principal. I changed four kindergartens, five schools, and was kicked out of all pioneer camps. ( Laughs.)

The mansion is always bright thanks to large windows and glass doors

Is Luke not like that?

He is also active, but not a bully. We were in Suzdal a couple of days ago and went to have lunch at a cafe. A young family with a child was sitting there, the baby in a stroller was watching a cartoon on an iPhone. Luka looked at the screen and moved on. And the family was surprised: wow, there are such calm children! Although my son is not at all calm, we just don’t turn on cartoons for him, and he doesn’t react to them.

Instead, we read fairy tales, poems, nursery rhymes, and play. In the summer, my son helped me in the garden. He dug and watered from a small watering can. And the greatest happiness I’ve experienced lately,” Luka began to pick berries from the bush. At first everything was sour to him, then he tasted red currants, black currants, strawberries, and then tomatoes came into play. It’s nice that I grew all this myself, in my own beds and greenhouses.

Elizabeth in the bedroom on the second floor. Minimalism, white and brown tones also prevail here. (Jumper with belt, Fendi; trousers, Max Mara; shoes, Carel (Rendez-Vous)

Judging by your Instagram account, has your gardening hobby turned into a business?

I have always liked working on the land - this comes from my childhood, when I was relaxing at my grandmother’s dacha. I still can’t live in the city for a long time, I need to go to nature, to fresh air. And as soon as we moved, I began to plant my small garden - I made beds and greenhouses. Then I decided to study a little and listened to lectures from a teacher at the Timiryazev Academy. And after the first good harvest, I realized that I wanted to improve it all, and I started looking for beautiful gardening tools, watering cans. It turned out that this cannot be found on the Russian market. Everything is mostly made of plastic in China. And I wanted our producer - carpenters and blacksmiths working in the family workshop. And when I finally found them, I organized a business and opened an online store of high-quality and beautiful garden tools. Now I make designer vegetable gardens on a turnkey basis. I not only help with planting, but also improve the areas.

“I always liked working on the land - this comes from my childhood, when I was relaxing at my grandmother’s dacha.”
(Dress, Casasola (TSUM); cardigan, TWINSET; bracelet, FREYWILLE; mules, BALLY; watering can, Esthetic Garden)

And you, Stepan, how do you feel about your wife’s business?

At first I criticized. I have been in business for a long time, so I have my own opinion and view on everything. Lisa was offended that I didn’t believe in her. I even had to go to a family psychologist, who recommended that I not criticize, but simply agree. Even if something, in my opinion, is unrealizable. Since then, I have accepted all of Lisa’s ideas calmly and positively. And I help as much as I can.

In the courtyard there is a garden and vegetable garden with greenhouses, where Lisa grows vegetables, berries and herbs...

...as well as a relaxation area - here the family drinks tea from a samovar on warm summer evenings

Rest zone

Are you also digging beds?

I've never been into it. I remember my father sent me and Yegor (Stepan’s cousin is Yegor Konchalovsky. - Ed.) washed cars, but didn’t force me to weed the beds. And for a long time I didn’t understand the pleasure of growing something when you can go out and buy it. Last year, my son Petya and I decided to help Lisa with planting. She gave us seeds and signs so that we could use them to mark what we were planting. Of course, we did everything wrong: we lowered something to the wrong depth, sown something in the wrong place, and didn’t grow. And at one point Luka came to the beds, took out all the signs and stuck them in other places...

Relaxation area in the courtyard

We still have a whole bed of arugula with carrot tails visible through it. ( Laughs.) But I still enjoy watching the guys help.

It turns out that life with you, Lisa, forced Stepan to change dramatically.

I myself am changing thanks to Styopa. I'm learning to deal with my shortcomings. For example, I fight perfectionism like this: I didn’t plant seedlings of noble flowers in two flower beds in my ideal garden, and weeds grew there. At first I couldn’t pass by without feeling irritated, but now I admire it and see natural beauty in chaotic plants. Now I call these flowerbeds “flowerbeds to combat perfectionism.” ( Smiles.)

Stepan, you almost simultaneously became both a grandfather and a father. Do you often see your grandson Fedya?

Yes, Sasha and his son come to us regularly. And it turns out funny: as soon as the daughter crosses the threshold, we take Fedya away from her and go play with him, while she studies with Luka. There is such an exchange of children. ( Laughs.) The kids are also starting to communicate and play together, fortunately the age difference is small. Sasha is also lucky in that she doesn’t have to buy practically anything, because Fede gets everything from Lukashi.

“I try to spend all my free time with my son,” says Stepan. “I even take him with me to the gym and tennis lessons: he watches with interest and repeats.”
(Stepan: turtleneck, Boss; trousers, Brunello Cucinelli. Luca: shirt, trousers, cardigan, all - Bonpoint; sneakers, Nike (“Kangaroo”))

How did the rest of the Mikhalkov family react to the birth of Luka?

We were happy. Dad rarely comes because of work, but mom visits constantly. He reads poems to his grandson from memory and organizes theatrical performances. The Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky-Vertinsky clan is growing; it’s hard to even count how many grandchildren and children they have. And we also have a story about this. When my daughter Sasha was born, I came to my father to make him happy. He, happy, called his father Sergei Mikhalkov: “Dad, your great-granddaughter was born!” Sergei Vladimirovich clarified: “In what sense?” “Well, which one?” Nikita Sergeevich was surprised. “Styopa had a daughter, he just came from the maternity hospital. She is my granddaughter, and your great-granddaughter.” The deathly silence lasted about a minute, and then the grandfather asked: “Well, what’s the news anyway?” ( Laughs.)

“Now I no longer perceive a child as the meaning of life. Rather, as a part of it. The meaning for me is different...” admits Stepan.
(Lisa: suit, Chloe (TSUM); blouse, H mules, BALLY. Stepan: turtleneck, Boss; jacket, jeans, Pal Zileri; boots, Pantanetti. Luca: shirt, Burberry; trousers, Armani Baby; jacket, Baby A; sneakers, Jarrett; all - "Kangaroo")

Style: Maria Kolosova. Stylist assistant: Alina Gazarova. Makeup and hairstyles: Nadezhda Knyazeva