Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced her separation from her husband in a video address posted on Facebook today. She stated that their marital relationship had lasted for thirty years.
Redaksiya reports that on February 17, Hakobyan had announced on her Facebook page the end of her "informal" marriage with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. "I ask everyone to behave with restraint and correctness on this matter," Anna Hakobyan wrote on Facebook. The couple has four children, with their eldest born in 1998.
Following this announcement, many congratulated the couple on their official marriage, believing it to be the end of an informal union. However, although Hakobyan and Pashinyan have been together for approximately thirty years, they have never officially registered their marriage either in church or through civil authorities. This matter was confirmed by Pashinyan in 2024.
Hakobyan stated today that she has left the government residence and moved into a rented apartment. She noted that she has no property, as the apartment she purchased is still under construction. She mentioned having 5 million drams in her bank account, which she expects to be sufficient for her needs. Hakobyan does not own a car and will be deprived of state security services. She described her past relationship as a civil marriage and confirmed her departure from the government residence.
"I don't want to say I love you all, because it shouldn't be said, but shown through actions, care, and attention directed towards the beloved. I believe that over these eight years, my actions have been based, at least, solely on love and care for you and the state," she noted at the end of the video. Anna Hakobyan's words are likely addressed to Nikol Pashinyan as well, as the latter concludes his videos by stating he loves everyone.
Hakobyan's video today was followed by a post from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stating that he respects Anna's decision. "She has been by my side through all the difficult days of the last thirty years, she has been my refuge and support. I am not sure if I have been that for her. Perhaps I have caused more bitterness, for which I apologize," Pashinyan wrote.
Although Hakobyan announced the end of her relationship with the Prime Minister ten days ago, on February 17, she continued her meetings in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, on February 19, as the Executive Director of the "My Step" Foundation and the Prime Minister's wife. While Anna Hakobyan stated in the video that she wants to lead the "My Step" Foundation as executive director, she also did not rule out the possibility of facing criminal charges. "Life is like that. Perhaps such a development is possible, whatever we do, we will live, we will see," she said.
The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee stated in a conversation with journalists that they are investigating the decision of the "My Step" Foundation to hold free English language courses, as organizations affiliated with parties participating in elections are prohibited from engaging in charitable activities after the election day is determined.
Hakobyan and Pashinyan met while studying at the journalism faculty of Yerevan State University. Hakobyan was a first-year student and was assigned to write an article for the newspaper where Pashinyan worked at the time. "I wrote the article and submitted it to the editorial office. That's how I met Nikol. Nikol fell in love with me at first sight, and I... a little later," Anna Hakobyan noted in an interview in 2018. In a November 2018 interview with Mediamax, Hakobyan spoke about the difficulties in her married life, stating that they always occur, regardless of what a husband and wife do, or what professions and ideas they hold. "But there is one thing that helps overcome everything, and that is love. There is no other basis for unity, everything stems from love."