I gave birth to my ex-stepson’s baby - people say we’re gross but we’re happy

“Normally I say live and let live... but this is weird,” critics slam the couple’s controversial relationship.

A Russian woman, who caused a stir online after divorcing her husband and having a baby with her stepson, has welcomed their second child. 

Life looked pretty normal for Marina, a then-23-year-old woman living with her husband, Alexey.

Married for 13 years, they reportedly had five adopted kids together and lived with her husband’s biological son from a previous relationship, Vladimir (Vova).

Marina first met the family when Vova was seven years old and helped raise him for 13 years. But it wasn’t until he graduated high school and began attending university that their relationship transformed. 

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The controversial Russian couple welcomed their second child in April 2023. Source: marina_balmasheva/Instagram

Woman leaves her husband for stepson

Marina and Alexey were still married when she learned she was pregnant with now-23-year-old Vova’s baby. 

She and Alexey soon divorced, and she later married Vova in 2020. “You never know how life will turn out,” she shared to her large 600,000-strong Instagram audience.

 “At what point will you meet your person? Which will make you smile.

I know someone will support [me], and some will judge. But we are together and happy, [and] I wish you the same.” 

While she and her ex adopted five children while they were married, it is unclear if she has anything to do with them anymore.

The now-37-year-old weight-loss influencer frequently shares updates on her life with two kids and life with her ex-stepson.

The controversial couple welcomed their first baby, Olga, in 2021, later announcing the birth of their second child, Vladimir, in April this year. 

The name of their newborn son is Vladimir Balmashev, named after her father, Vladimir (Vovka). According to Marina, her dad's reaction wasn't what she was expecting. 

"He thanked my husband several times and me only once," she said. "But Dad is very happy that now there is a Vovka junior." 

RELATED: Russian influencer gives birth to stepson's baby

The couple have faced fierce backlash. Source: marina_balmasheva/Instagram

“What a mess”

She is faced with fierce backlash from people online, who are often creeped out by their unusual relationship. 

Perhaps the biggest critic of all is her ex-husband (and Vova’s father), Alexey, who accused her of “seducing” his son. 

He added he would have “forgiven her cheating if it wasn't [his] son.” 

Online, the couple has been slammed for their “disgusting” and “nasty” relationship, with some saying it’s “too out there” to comprehend. 

“Normally I say live and let live... but this is weird,” read a baffled comment. “What a mess,” said another. 

“I don’t even know what to say,” a baffled person wrote. 

One comment perfectly summed it up. 

“The age difference isn't what makes this wrong,” someone shared. “It's the fact that it was her stepson. Granted, they're not blood-related, but it's the fact she was married to this kid's dad.” 

“I guess technically [there’s] no blood relation, but freaking weird nonetheless,” another agreed.  

But not everyone is so quick to judge, with some arguing they were both adults when the relationship started. “Oh well, it happens,” said one supporter. “It's your life, and you have to live it the only way you want,” said another. 

Some wondered why there was backlash at all, but Marina understood exactly. “It's … likely that he is the son of his ex,” she said. “I agree that this is not very decent. But it’s not a crime either.”

Originally published as I gave birth to my ex-stepson’s baby - people say we’re gross but we’re happy