Countess Gabriella Ivanova Tolstoievski
Gabriella Ivanova Tolstoievski the daughter of the renowned Ruskian Count Ivan Georgevich Tolstoievski was born on Christmas day 1979. To her devout Christian parents this was seen as a symbolic portent of their daughter’s future. Count Ivan, an imperial army general sensing the increasingly ominous political atmosphere, convinced his wife to raise their daughter abroad on their cattle farm in South America. This led to the young Gabriella only seeing her father on short periodic visits. She adored him and his absence only heightened the almost magical image she carried of him in her heart. Unfortunately her father’s fears were justified as the Count was killed protecting the Ruskian Emperor Nicholas II and his family during the Bloody Revolution of 1995.
The Ruskian Empire was especially hard-hit by the revolution as it took the form of a military coup’d’etat. Many lost their lives yet the entire Imperial family was not murdered as was the military’s plan. Count Tolstoievski managed to have two of the Emperor’s daughters smuggled out of the country to his farm in South America, weeks before the main wave of the military’s assault on the on the Palace. The bravery of the Count deeply impressed Gabriella and though devastated by his death found herself immensely proud to be the daughter of such a selfless man. Now bearing the courtesy title of Countess Gabriella Tolstoievski she began her contradicting life as a South American farmgirl along with her Imperial friends, the two Grand Duchesses.
The Tolstoievski family lost the bulk of their wealth to the revolution but at least had a financially prosperous farm. Due to their help in harbouring the Grand Duchesses during the first years after their escape they also received financial support from the Hanoverian Royal family who were their cousins. The Countess grew up a tom-boy with dirty fingernails and knowing how to rustle a cow. She loves nature and strives to make her father proud by working hard and living to serve others rather than herself. She and her mother have grown the family farm to be one of the largest beef producers in their region while at the same time fostering a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding rain forest. Their farming systems have been copied by many who wish to do their bit for protecting the environment. A staunch environmental activist Gabriella has even spent time in jail for resisting arrest during a demonstration against deforestation.
Gabriella’s latest venture is a farming school for international orphans who lost their parents in war. She hopes to give a future to those who have lost their family foundation. The Count Ivan Farming Academy opens its doors for year 2012.
The Spirit of Music