Kato Svanidze, the first wife of Russian dictator Joseph Stalin, played a significant role in shaping his character and actions. Despite the tumultuous times they lived in, their love and devotion for each other flourished. Their marriage, although short-lived, resulted in the birth of Stalin’s eldest son, Yakov. However, Kato’s untimely demise had a profound impact on Stalin, leading to his abandonment of their son. Despite later marriages, Kato remained the only love in Stalin’s life.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Ekaterine Svanidze
- Died At Age: 22
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Joseph Stalin
- Father: Semon Svanadze
- Mother: Sephora Svanadze
- Siblings: Alexander Svanidze
- Children: Yakov Dzhugashvili
- Died on: November 22, 1907
- Place of Death: Tbilisi, Georgia
- Cause of Death: Typhus
- City: Tbilisi, Georgia
Childhood & Early Life
Ekaterine Kato Svanidze, also known as Ketevan Semyonovna Svanidze, was born on April 2, 1885, in the small mountain village of Baji in the Racha region of Georgia. Her father, Svimon, worked as a railway worker and landowner, while her mother, Sepora, came from minor nobility. Despite her mother’s background, the Svanidze family was not financially stable. Kato had two older sisters, Aleksandra and Maria, and a younger brother, Alexander. During her adolescence, her family moved to Kutaisi, the third most populated city in Georgia. Kato and her siblings relocated to Tbilisi, where they lived near Freedom Square.
Saving the Future Dictator
Kato’s house in Tbilisi was located behind the South Caucasus military district, which would later play a significant role in her life. Her brother Alexander studied at the Tiflis Spiritual Seminary alongside Ioseb Jughashvili, who would later become known as Joseph Stalin. Alexander was a member of the Bolshevik Russian Social Democratic Labour Party and a close associate of Jughashvili. Kato and her sisters worked as dressmakers at an atelier owned by a French seamstress named Madame Hervieu. They made uniforms for officials and costume dresses for their wives.
During the mass revolts in 1905, Alexander invited Jughashvili to stay with their family at the house near Freedom Square. The increased police presence in the area made their house a safe haven for revolutionaries. It was during this time that Kato and Jughashvili fell in love. Kato admired Jughashvili and supported his revolutionary activities by organizing fundraisers and caring for injured revolutionaries.
Personal & Family Life
In 1906, Jughashvili decided to marry Kato after discovering that she was pregnant. There is some debate about whether Kato knew about her pregnancy at the time. However, according to historian Stephen Kotkin, her pregnancy was one of the main reasons for their marriage. Despite being an atheist, Jughashvili agreed to a religious wedding at Kato’s insistence. Finding a priest willing to perform the ceremony was challenging due to Jughashvili’s false identity and involvement in the revolution. Eventually, an old acquaintance from the seminary agreed to perform a late-night ceremony at Saint David’s Cathedral on July 16, 1906.
Shortly after their wedding, Kato was arrested for giving refuge to revolutionaries. She was released after a month and a half under the custody of the Police Chief’s wife. Kato gave birth to a son named Yakobi “Koba” Egnatashvili on March 19, 1907. Her life took a dramatic turn when Jughashvili became involved in a high-profile bank robbery in June 1907. Kato and their son had to flee to Baku, where they lived in harsh conditions among strangers. Jughashvili left for Germany to attend the Second International Socialist Congress, leaving Kato alone with their newborn.
Aftermath of Kato’s Death
Kato’s health deteriorated due to the stress and harsh living conditions in Baku. Her family requested Jughashvili to bring her back to Georgia, but he did not act until October 1907. By then, it was too late. Kato contracted typhus during the journey and died in her husband’s arms on November 22, 1907. She was buried at the Kukia cemetery next to Saint Nino’s Church in Tiflis.
Jughashvili was devastated by the loss of his wife and abandoned their son in the care of Kato’s family. They were reunited in 1921 when Iakob moved to Moscow to live with his father, who was now known as Stalin. However, Stalin treated Iakob poorly during that time. In the following years, Stalin executed many members of Kato’s family, accusing them of betraying him. He reportedly told his second wife, Nadezhda Alliluyeva, that the only other woman he ever loved besides his mother was Kato Svanidze.