Yelena Yerkhova was born in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk (Russia) in 1927 and worked in the countryside for most of her life. Yerkhova, who survived the harsh conditions of the Second World War, had always wanted to visit different countries. When she retired was dedicated to saving for travel alone two or three times a year, fulfilling one of her greatest dreams: visiting the incredible places she had wanted to see since childhood.
Yelena had a daughter and two grandchildren and it was precisely her granddaughter Svetlana who decided to publish the exciting story of her grandmother traveller and take on the task of building her social media presence, turning Babushka into a celebrity.
On one of her last trips, the much-loved grandmother even mixed tourism with “business”. A dental clinic in the Canary Islands saw a chance to promote its brand and offered to make Yelena a new denture... in Tenerife!!! Yelena didn't think twice, packed her bag and set off for the Canary Islands.
Since October 2018 Yelena hadn't posted any more photos on her Instagram Sadly, while searching VK (the Russian Facebook), we discovered that she had died. A family acquaintance wrote in Russian:
«The renowned traveller Yelena Yerkhova, from Krasnoyarsk, known as Baba Lena, was buried in the city's Tiro cemetery, travellers close to her told RIA Novosti. In late December, she was reported to be seriously ill at the oncology centre. Her death was reported on Thursday 31 January.»
«The farewell took place. She was buried in the cemetery of Tyre in Krasnoyarsk," said the agency's interlocutor.
The woman became famous in 2016 after people shared stories about her love of travel on social media. According to Lena’s wife, she saved money from her pension, and once her story became known, sponsors helped fund her travels.”
Yerkhova became famous in 2016 after stories about her love of travel appeared on social media. According to Lena’s granddaughter, she saved from her pension, and many sponsors helped fund her journeys after she appeared online.”
Yelena had travelled across all 5 continents, and in 2016 Lonely Planet published a feature on this travelling grandmother’s adventures: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2016/11/21/grandma-lena-russias-globetrotting-gran/
In December 2018, shortly before her death, the travel website of Brazil posted a photographic montage presenting Helena as an example of living with purpose, accompanied by a phrase that sums it up perfectly.
It’s never too late to fulfil your dreams — she started travelling at 83!
An inspiration for everyone with a passion for travel!!!