Alexandra Fjodorowna

Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse), last Empress consort of Russia, 1872-1918

Alexandra is best remembered as the last Tsaritsa of Russia, and for her support of autocratic control over the country. Her friendship with the Russian mystic and holy man, Grigori Rasputin, was also an important factor in her life. The Imperial family and all those who chose to accompany them into exile were executed by Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg on 17 July 1918. In 2000, Alexandra was canonised as a passion bearer, by the Russian Orthodox Church together with her husband Nicholas II, their children and others including her sister Grand Duchess Elizabeth and the Grand Duchess' fellow nun Varvara.