Anna Stepanovna Demidova was born in 1878 in the Russian Empire. Anna was a the daughter of a well off merchant called Stepan Demidov. Anna was described as tall with blonde hair she was described as very shy and timid. Anna went by the nickname Nyuta.
Anna graduated with a teaching certificate from Yaroslavl Institute for Maids. With help from her friend Elizaveta Ersberg (a palourmaid at Court) Anna managed to get a job with the same position at Court.
Anna faithfully followed the family into exile where she was Alexandra’s maid. When the family where split up Anna went ahead with Nicholas, Alexandra and Maria to Ekaterinburg. Before leaving to be with the Imperial Couple and Maria Anna confided in Charles Gibbes that she was frightened as she didn’t know what the Bolsheviks would do.
When the family and servants where ordered to go down to the cellars Anna carried down two pillows with gems sewn in. She held them in front of her as they where shot. After initially fainting when shot Anna later revived. She cried out “Thank God! God has saved me!” The executors heard her and stabbed her. Despite Anna trying to defend herself the assassins murdered her. Anna was just 40-years-old.
Anna was canonized as a martyr in 1991, along with the Imperial Family and the other three servants murdered on 17th July 1918.
The Last Romanov Children 