Trivia

Daughter of Alexander Taneyev (1850-1918) and Nadezhda Illarionovna Tolstoy (1860-1937).

Sister in law of Alexander Pistohlkors (1885-1944).

Sister of Sergei Alexandrovich (1886-1975) and Alexandra Alexandrovna (1888-1968).

Granddaughter of Sergey Alexandrovich Taneyev (1821-1889).

She was born in Oranienbaum as the daughter of Aleksandr Taneyev, Chief Steward to His Majesty's Chancellery and a noted composer. Her mother, Countess Nadezhda Tolstoy, was descended from Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov. Due to these connections, she was attached to the imperial court at an early age. She had two younger siblings: Sergei and Alexandra.

Vyrubova spent the rest of her life first in Viipuri and later in Helsinki. She took vows as a Russian Orthodox nun but was permitted to live in a private home because of her physical disabilities. She died at 80, in Helsinki, where her grave is located in the Orthodox section of Hietaniemi cemetery.

She was a childhood playmate of Felix Yussupov, who later spearheaded the murder of Rasputin. Yussupov found her unattractive.