Inside Russian President, Vladimir Putin's, gilded apartment in Kremlin: Gold holdings, high ceilings and much more

All eyes are on Vladimir Putin’s personal residence this week after the Russian president allowed state journalist Pavel Zarubin and his camera crew to step inside for a rare televised tour. Aired as part of a special documentary marking Putin’s 25 years in power, the footage reveals a grand apartment steeped in opulence, tradition, and symbolism — offering an unprecedented window into the private life of Russia’s longest-serving leader since Stalin.From Grand Piano to Home ChapelAs the cameras roll, Putin welcomes Zarubin into a vast corridor lined with suits and shirts. “Everything is here,” Putin remarks, opening a set of gold-edged doors. The space is a carefully curated reflection of authority and taste, defined by its lavish décor — gold chandeliers, high ceilings, heavy drapes, and gold-framed mirrors at every turn. “As you can see, it’s not far away,” he adds, referring to the apartment’s close proximity to the Kremlin.In the sitting room, viewers are shown a pristine white baby grand piano placed by a large window. Putin admits he “rarely” finds time to play it. The room, layered in rich textures and warm light, once hosted former U.S. President Bill Clinton, according to Putin. A portrait of Russian Emperor Alexander III is prominently placed on a table — a symbol of historical continuity that echoes through the rest of the home.The apartment includes a private library with detailed wood paneling, luxurious bedrooms, and a small chapel adorned with Byzantine-style paintings and towering golden candelabras. Putin says he uses the chapel to pray. There's also a home gym — which he calls the “most important part” of the apartment — filled with strength-training equipment and a mirrored wall. He tells Zarubin he exercises for 1.5 hours daily.Personal moments and political undertonesA particularly intimate moment occurs in the kitchen, where Putin offers kefir to the crew and sets out a tray of chocolates, which he notes were a gift. The scene then shifts to a grand dining room, where the Russian leader sits for an interview. “I always think about it,” he says when asked about a succession plan. “In the end, the choice is for the people, for the Russian people, for citizens, who have a chance to do something serious.”In a wood-paneled lounge, Putin demonstrates how a pull-down screen transforms the room into a private cinema. Such features point to his careful attention to comfort and personal rituals, even within the framework of state power.This is not the first time Putin’s apartment has been a site of diplomatic engagement. In 2023, he hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping here for fireside negotiations — a fact he referenced after the talks, saying the two discussed matters “gradually, over tea.”While this Moscow residence is striking, it is reportedly just one of several homes Putin has refurbished to reflect his evolving aesthetic. According to Daily Mail UK reporting in 2024, Putin oversaw a significant overhaul of his billion-dollar Black Sea palace, replacing ornate gold flourishes with traditional Russian materials and motifs.The full version of Putin’s apartment tour with Zarubin is scheduled to air this Sunday. Until then, the snippets already online have stirred global curiosity — not just for the interior design, but for the rare peek behind the curtain of one of the world’s most secretive leaders.