Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is a traditionalist when it comes to family life, announced on Thursday over television that he has separated from his wife of 30 years, Lyudmila.

The couple admitted they no longer live together and the decision to separate was mutual. They married in 1983 and have two daughters, Maria and Yekaterina, who are now in their 20s.

Prior to her marriage, Lyudmila Alexandrovna - who is five years younger than Vladimir - was an airline stewardess. The president is 60 and is now on the first year of his third presidential term.

Just a day before the ex-couple admitted the end of their marriage on state TV after attending together a ballet performance, Mr Putin even said that he would oppose the adoption of Russian babies by gay couples, indicating his conservative stand on family values based on Russian Orthodox Church tenets.

"Our marriage is over due to the fact that we barely see each other," Ms Putin said.

"That is true. All my activity is linked to public affairs ... and there are people who are totally incompatible with that," the president said with a chuckle.

However, the ex-couple assured Russians that they would always remain close.

"I am very grateful to Vladimir ... that he still supports me. And the children, he really cares for them and the children feel this," BBC quoted the first lady.

There were rumours in 2008 that the president was about to marry Alina Kabaeva, a Russian Olympic rhythmic gymnast, but Mr Putin then denied the speculation while the newspaper, Moskovsky Korrespondent that published the story eventually closed, although the publisher said it was due to financial losses.

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman of the president, added the couple has been separated for a long time, but he is unaware if the divorce has been formalised since the Putins appear to have only a civilised divorce.

A few years ago, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy divorced his wife Cecilia and married retired supermodel and singer Carla Bruni.

With the Putin separation, Businessweek said it makes the president an eligible bachelor and even published photos of Mr Putin's so-called badass looks. Here are some of them.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-badass-bachelor-vladimir-putin-2013-6