Alyona Aliyeva: what is known about the Ukrainian woman referred to as the wife of Azerbaijan’s president’s son, and what she is doing now.
What is Alyona currently doing in her new country?
Who is Heydar Aliyev Jr.?
Heydar Aliyev Jr. is the only son and heir of Azerbaijan’s current president, Ilham Aliyev. He was named after his grandfather, the legendary Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev.
Heydar Jr., the beloved grandson of his powerful grandfather, was born on August 3, 1997. To this day, he remains a rather mysterious figure, partly because he does not appear in public very often.
It is known for certain that the young man graduated from the most prestigious diplomatic academy in Baku. He then completed mandatory military service in 2018–2019 in Azerbaijan’s elite “Yashma” special forces unit, although rumors suggest that Heydar was only formally listed there and appeared only at the oath-taking ceremony, which was also attended by his father Ilham and his mother Mehriban.
It is rumored that Heydar may have an undisclosed medical condition — possibly autism. However, this did not prevent Ilham Aliyev’s son from opening his first offshore company in childhood. Today, Heydar is considered one of the wealthiest people in modern Azerbaijan, owning businesses and as many as nine mansions on the French Riviera, in Dubai, London, and in the elite Barvikha area near Moscow.
Heydar is also one of the notable representatives of Azerbaijan’s ruling party, Yeni Azərbaycan (“New Azerbaijan”). He is likewise the head of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).
The prince’s wedding
In the autumn of 2022, as his mother Mehriban revealed, Heydar Aliyev Jr. secretly married. For a long time, the name and identity of his wife were not officially disclosed.
Moreover, for quite some time only a single photo of her circulated online — taken from behind, against a backdrop of the sea and cypresses. It was likely captured at the presidential residence “Zagulba” near Baku.
Recently, however, Heydar’s wife has begun appearing publicly more often. Her name has become known — Alyona Aliyeva. The couple likely met in Paris, during a period when Heydar, according to official records, was supposed to be stationed in barracks for his mandatory military service.
How Alyona lives now
Unlike her “private” husband, Alyona comfortably shines in Azerbaijan’s social life — alongside her mother-in-law Mehriban and his sister Leyla (remember her?).
For example, the elegant and well-groomed Alyona recently attended the opening of the very first inclusive café in all of Baku, designed for people with various health conditions to visit.
At first, it was said that Alyona Aliyeva was the daughter of Azerbaijani billionaire God Nisanov. However, it later turned out that this was merely a visual resemblance.
Alyona is relatively short in stature. Elegantly dressed. And most likely has turned to plastic surgery services more than once.
Azerbaijani opposition journalists (Mehman Huseynov and others) found that Alyona is originally a Ukrainian from Odesa. She has children from another man. In her youth, she allegedly worked in escort services, where she met her beloved. Whether this is actually true, I do not presume to assert with certainty. As they say, judge for yourselves.
It is clear that daughter-in-law Alyona is actively trying to find common ground with her mother-in-law Mehriban. She even attempts to imitate her in gestures and appearance. Honestly — before us stands a young Mehriban.
Alyona calls Azerbaijan her new homeland and is actively learning the Azerbaijani language, although for now she communicates with her husband and his family in English and Russian. In December 2025, she became the author and head of the educational platform “Azerbaijani Language” (azerbaijani.edu.az) for foreigners studying the language.
In any case, Alyona’s official past prior to 2022 is hidden behind a thick veil of secrecy. And there are likely objective reasons for this.
Interestingly, if Heydar Aliyev Jr. comes to power in Azerbaijan, the Ukrainian woman would become the country’s first lady of the Land of Fire. And if she were also to assume the post of vice prime minister, like the current first lady Mehriban, she could one day potentially lay claim to leading Azerbaijan.
