Yusupov

Yusupov, also transliterated Youssoupov, refers to one of the great Russian noble families that rose to prominence in the 18th through early 20th centuries. The House of Yusupov was of Tatar origin and became one of the empire’s wealthiest and most influential clans, accumulating wealth through mining, banking, court service, and strategic marriages. The family owned extensive estates and built or acquired several grand residences, including the Yusupov Palace on the Moika River in Saint Petersburg, as well as properties in Moscow and other parts of the Russian Empire. Its patrons of the arts helped sponsor cultural institutions and collections that contributed to Russia’s cultural life.

Notable events and figures associated with Yusupov include Felix Yusupov, Count (and later Prince) Yusupov, who is best known for his involvement in the murder of Grigori Rasputin in 1916, a turning point that preceded the collapse of the imperial regime. The Yusupovs were prominent in imperial circles and played a role in politics, diplomacy, and society up to the early 20th century.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the nationalization of much of the family’s property and the dispersal of its members abroad. Descendants and branches of the family continued to exist in Europe and North America, while many of the historic family estates became state property or museums. Today the Yusupov name remains linked to historic palaces, art collections, and the broader history of the late Imperial era in Russia.