The Social Life of Prime Minister Pashinyan’s Wife

Armenia’s “First Lady” has indeed proven herself very different from ordinary people: whether in leisure, family life, or even her highly publicized “divorce,” she has not managed a single truly ordinary move.

Anna Hakobyan. Journalist, civil partner of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. A woman who has never held an official government position, yet has become one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in Armenian politics. In February 2026, Hakobyan announced her separation from Pashinyan after nearly thirty years together and left the government residence. By April, however, she had changed her mind and returned. Meanwhile, her name continued to be associated with a series of controversies.

Antalya Vacation Worth $100,000

In June 2025, a scandal erupted that dominated both Turkish and Armenian media for days. According to reports by Turkish outlets OdaTV and Tele1, Anna Hakobyan spent a holiday at the five-star Titanic Mardan Palace hotel in Antalya, a luxury resort built by businessman Telman Ismailov.

The reported figures were eye-catching. Turkish media claimed Hakobyan stayed in the hotel’s King Suite, which costs around €6,000 per night. According to journalists, the total cost of the four-day vacation exceeded $100,000, including champagne baths, a personal yoga instructor, a private maid, yacht rentals, and minibar expenses.

OdaTV questioned how a country like Armenia could afford such extravagance at taxpayers’ expense.

“With a population of around three million people, Armenia ranks 117th in the world by GDP and 85th in the Human Development Index,” the publication noted.

Hakobyan denied the reports, calling them “a good fairy tale happily spread by unworthy, ignorant, and anti-state journalists.” She insisted that during those days she was traveling through Armenia’s Syunik Province with her daughters rather than relaxing in a Turkish luxury resort.

Nevertheless, the controversy left its mark. Critics argue that Hakobyan’s public image is associated less with modesty and refinement than with conspicuous luxury, excessive spending, and an abrasive communication style.

“Expectation Letters” and Million-Drama Dinner Parties

More serious than vacation scandals, however, is the story surrounding the “My Step” charitable foundation, headed by Hakobyan.

In 2024, Armenian media reported that business owners had received letters from the foundation suggesting donations of 10 million drams each.

Opposition commentators described the practice as a form of pressure on businesses. Journalists demanded an end to what they called legalized fundraising by the prime minister’s wife.

Hakobyan later confirmed during a live broadcast with Pashinyan that such letters had indeed been sent to 473 large companies. According to her figures, 383 companies ignored the request, four refused, and 86 agreed to contribute. Donations ranged from 1 to 10 million drams.

Pashinyan defended the initiative:

“If the majority can simply ignore or decline the letter, then clearly there is no coercion.”

The foundation also organized private fundraising dinners twice a year. One such event reportedly involved 62 businesspeople, each contributing 1 million drams, generating a total of 62 million drams (over $160,000). Critics questioned how these funds were ultimately used.

The Bunker, the Generals, and the “War Myths”

Perhaps the most controversial episode concerns the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

After the conflict ended, former Armenian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Colonel-General Movses Hakobyan (no relation) gave an interview that caused a political storm.

According to his account:

“When I entered the command post, Anna Hakobyan and former Artsakh Security Council Secretary Samvel Babayan were sitting there. A large screen displayed footage of our forces defeating the enemy in Mataghis. Hakobyan was watching the battle unfold.

When the viewing ended, I told her that fighting was continuing in other directions and that it would be better if she left, since the men gathered there might shout or use harsh language. She agreed and left. Four hours later, I was summoned back to Yerevan.”

Hakobyan further claimed that Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan later informed him that he was no longer allowed to travel to Artsakh because “the Prime Minister had decided so.”

The story raised questions among critics: how could a civilian with no official military role have access to a wartime command center and sensitive operational information?

Pashinyan later defended his wife, saying he had personally authorized her presence. Nevertheless, the incident fueled speculation and political controversy.

The “Erato” Women’s Unit

During the 44-day war, Hakobyan announced the creation of a female volunteer unit called “Erato.”

Recruitment took place through the offices of her “My Step” foundation. Critics later questioned the military seriousness of the initiative, noting that the 13-member group included a musician, a journalist, a member of parliament, and other civilians with little military background.

Photographs published in the media also generated skepticism. Although Hakobyan stated that the group had been stationed near Goris and Kornidzor, outside active combat zones, some journalists claimed that supposed “frontline” images had actually been taken in a residential basement.

When directly asked whether the unit had been deployed to Artsakh, Hakobyan reportedly answered, “No.”

In 2022, she later apologized publicly to the participants, acknowledging that they had become targets of ridicule and criticism.

Financial Transformation: From Three Million to One Hundred Million

Hakobyan’s financial disclosures from 2018 to 2024 show a striking change.

Between 2018 and 2023, her annual income reportedly ranged between 3 and 15 million drams, largely from salary and rental income. By 2022–2023, her bank balances were reportedly minimal.

Then, in 2024, her declared annual income reportedly jumped to 105.9 million drams—more than thirty times higher than previous levels. Her disclosures also listed $40,000 and 10 million drams in deposits, along with additional cash holdings.

She also acquired an apartment in a residential development, financed in part through a 49.3 million dram loan from “Ijevanatun” CJSC. The same loan amount reportedly appeared in Pashinyan’s own financial declaration.

Divorce: Political Strategy or the End of an Era?

In February 2026, Hakobyan announced her separation from Pashinyan.

“I am leaving the government residence and will live in rented housing, without a car or a home of my own, leaving gifted jewelry to the state.”

Pashinyan responded on Telegram:

“For the past 30 years she has stood beside me through every difficult moment, my refuge and support. Perhaps I caused her even more pain, for which I ask forgiveness.”

Many observers viewed the separation as a political maneuver ahead of elections, citing Hakobyan’s low approval ratings and the numerous controversies surrounding her public image.

However, in April 2026, Pashinyan publicly announced that the couple had reconciled.

The separation, it seemed, was short-lived. Critics concluded that the public relations strategy had failed to convince voters as intended.