A Girl In A Red Bikini Who Escaped From The USSR To Australia - How Was Her Fate

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Escape from the USSR in one swimsuit: the amazing story of Liliana Gasinskaya

40 years ago, an 18-year-old Soviet girl Liliana Gasinskaya escaped from a cruise ship in an Australian port. A native of Odessa in 40 minutes swam to the coast and asked for political asylum. Leela was wearing only a swimsuit, so the press instantly dubbed her "the girl in the red bikini." Abroad, a daring escape made Liliana a celebrity, but in the USSR they preferred to hide this incident.

In Sydney at any cost

Liliana Gasinskaya was born in Odessa into a creative family. The girl's mother was an actress, and her father was a musician. Parents had no doubt that their daughter would follow in their footsteps, but at the age of 15, Lilya decided to enter the Odessa Naval School. Gasinskaya chose such a professional path in order to someday get on a ship that will follow to Australia.

After the escape, Liliana admitted that she hated communism since the age of 14 and wanted to escape from the propaganda that was in the Soviet Union. Once the girl saw a photo of Australia in a magazine and since then dreamed of moving to this country. At the age of 18, Lily had a real chance to make her dream come true - she was hired as a waitress on the Leonid Sobinov motor ship.

Liliana Gasinskaya was born in Odessa in the family of an actress and musician

Escape day

Liliana originally planned to escape to the port city of Fremantle, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The girl fussed and caught the attention of one of the employees. Then Lily had only hope for Sydney. On the evening of January 14, 1979, Gasinskaya put on a red swimsuit, squeezed through the window and jumped into the water. For 40 minutes, the girl swam in the bay with sharks and counted the kilometers covered. According to Lily, then she swam away from the lines and stew towards the beach, cocktails and parties.

Gasinskaya sailed to the Sydney wharf and rushed towards the passers-by. A girl with bruises and abrasions all over her body shouted that she was being chased and she needed to get to the police. The news of the fugitive from the USSR immediately leaked to the newspapers. The next morning, the Soviet diplomatic corps demanded to return her to the ship, but, despite all the efforts of the embassy, Liliana was granted political asylum in Australia. By the way, Gasinskaya then could not prove that she was persecuted at home.

Despite the efforts of the Soviet embassy, Liliana Gasinskaya was granted political asylum in Australia

An affair with a photographer

In Australia, the fugitive was hid in his home by the Daily Mirror photographer. Soon, everyone learned that for the sake of Liliana, the man left the family. The girl in a red bikini was remembered by all Australians, so she was invited to take part in a candid photo shoot for Penthouse magazine. For this shooting, Gasinskaya received 15 thousand dollars.

Lily's lover had connections in show business, so she managed to try herself as a dancer, DJ and actress. Soon Gasinskaya bought herself an expensive car and moved to a new apartment. Interviews with the famous Soviet fugitive continued to appear on the pages of Australian publications, but not so often.

The article in Penthouse magazine was titled: "Girl in a red bikini - no bikini"

Marriage with a millionaire

In 1984, the name of Liliana Gasinskaya appeared in the media again. The occasion was joyful - the girl got married. The runaway's chosen one was millionaire Ian Hason. Then it seemed that Lily had finally gotten better, but after 6 years the couple separated. The reason for their divorce is still unknown, but one thing is clear - marriage with a millionaire changed the girl's life forever. She stopped leading a public lifestyle and no longer communicated with journalists. After breaking up with her husband, Liliana moved to London, got married and became a mother of two sons. In the British capital, the girl became interested in spiritual practices.

Lillian Gasinskaya has been married to millionaire Ian Hayson for six years

Liliana Gasinskaya today

The famous fugitive became a British citizen and transported her parents from Ukraine. They say that the woman never returned to her homeland. Today, the "girl in a red bikini" actively travels, goes on meditation tours and spends time with her student sons. Liliana still refuses to give any comments about her life.

Lillian Gasinskaya lives in London, where she also transported her parents

There were many famous fugitives in the Soviet Union who escaped from the iron embrace of their homeland, but the story of Liliana Gasinskaya is perhaps the most amazing. A girl from 14 years old slowly but surely followed her goal and eventually achieved what she wanted. We can safely assume that she never regretted that jump through the window.