Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced the end of their common-law (civil), unregistered marriage after nearly 30 years together and said she is leaving the government residence, with Pashinyan responding that he respects her decision and apologizing for causing her “bitterness,” while no additional details about the decision were disclosed. The couple has four children.
In a Facebook video, Hakobyan clarified that she was referring specifically to a “civil marriage,” noting that no other form of marriage exists between them. “Although there was some confusion because I mentioned civil marriage. I said it that way because we have no other kind of marriage. Today I am leaving the government residence,” she said. Hakobyan also noted that earlier in February she had made a brief statement that her common-law marriage with Pashinyan had ended, and that it was misinterpreted by some media as meaning they had formalized their marriage.
Hakobyan said she is moving into rented accommodation and emphasized that she does not have a home of her own, explaining that an apartment purchased through a loan is still under construction. “I do not have a home. The house we purchased through a loan has been bought, but the building is still under construction. Therefore, I am moving to a rented apartment,” she said.
She also addressed public speculation about her personal wealth, saying she does not own a car or a house, and outlined what she said are the sources of funds available to her. “If they say I am a dollar millionaire, that I have accounts in offshore dollar zones, mansions and so on, I consider it necessary to state that my bank account contains money remaining from the sale of a house. I do not remember the amount, because I have never been interested. Some funds have been spent for personal purposes. My card also contains accumulated money from my salary at the ‘My Step’ foundation and from income tax refunds,” she said.
In the same message, Hakobyan said she has 5 million drams in her bank account and believes it will be sufficient to support herself, adding that she does not own a car and will no longer have state security protection. She also said the jewelry and items she received as donations, as well as expensive clothing, will be left to the state. Hakobyan added that she will continue working as executive director of the “My Step” foundation because it is paid employment, which she said she “very much needs,” and did not rule out the possibility of a criminal case being initiated against her in her capacity as executive director. “It is life, perhaps such a development is possible. What can we do? We will live and see,” she said.
Hakobyan urged the public not to speculate or engage in discussion about the matter and asked that her privacy be respected. “I inform all my friends, acquaintances, relatives, near and far, and even my closest people that this topic is not open for discussion with me. I am placing a ban on it,” she said. Addressing the broader public, she added: “Dear people, please don’t waste too much time going back and forth on this issue. It will become an idle occupation, useless and unproductive. We have heard it, we have recorded it, and we move on.”
In her remarks, Hakobyan also offered a parting message and reflected on how she understands love and public service. “So, farewell, until we meet again. I don’t want to say ‘I love you all,’ because in my opinion, love is not something to be spoken about, but something shown through actions: care and attention directed toward the beloved. I believe that, at least during these nearly eight years, the foundation of my actions was only love and care for you and for the state. May God protect all of us, may God protect the Republic of Armenia,” she said.
In his response, Pashinyan wrote on Facebook that he respects Hakobyan’s decision and reflected on their decades-long relationship. “I respect Anna’s decision. For the past 30 years, in all my difficult days, she has been by my side, my support and my pillar. I am not sure whether I have been the same for her. Perhaps I have caused more bitterness, for which I apologize,” he wrote.
No additional details regarding the couple’s decision have been disclosed.
