23. From Wandering Monk to Imperial Whisperer
Rasputin began his career as a wandering monk, living off donations and gradually building up a reputation as a holy man who could predict the future and heal the sick. He ended up in St. Petersburg in 1903, at a time when mysticism was fashionable with its decadent court and high society. Rasputin, the dirty, smelly, holy peasant with brilliant and captivating eyes and a reputation for faith healing, was a hit. He exerted a powerful animal magnetism upon high society women, and soon had a cult following of wealthy aristocrats throwing themselves at him like groupies at a rock star.
One of them introduced him to Empress Alexandria, whose son suffered from hemophilia. Rasputin was able to soothe the child’s suffering, which earned him the mother’s fierce loyalty. Soon, the royal airhead was convinced that Rasputin was guided by God. She started soliciting the illiterate charlatan’s advice on matters of state, then badgered her weak-minded husband, the Emperor, into implementing Rasputin’s recommendations.
