Ukrainian singer Natalka Karpa revealed that her nearly ten-year marriage to military serviceman Yevhen Terekhov nearly ended in divorce. Speaking in an interview with journalist Marichka Padalko, Karpa detailed that severe marital crises arose from the pressures of early parenthood, financial strain, and wartime separation.
The Strain of Early Parenthood and Financial Pressure
The first major fracture in the marriage appeared soon after the birth of the couple’s daughter, Zlata, whom they both deeply desired. What was supposed to be a joyous expansion of the family quickly transformed into a high-stress reality defined by sleepless nights and constant exhaustion. The infant was particularly restless, leaving the singer feeling dangerously depleted. I could just shut down right now, Karpa recalled thinking during the most grueling stretches of early motherhood.
Compounding the physical exhaustion were unexpected financial frictions. During pregnancy and after giving birth, Karpa stepped away from her work and lost her accustomed self-sufficiency. Accustomed to earning her own living, she struggled with the sudden reliance on her husband to carry the household’s financial load.
I’m not used to asking. And, accordingly, I felt discomfort because, in fact, he was the one pulling the whole family financially at that moment. When he came home from work tired, I was with the child. I gave him the opportunity to rest, even though I myself was falling off my feet. I think that was one of my first mistakes. Probably, when you are in parenthood together with your husband, you must be equal partners. And I somehow pushed this golden middle to myself. Natalka Karpa, via unian.ua
Pandemic Distance and a Heartbreaking Cover Shoot
A second severe crisis materialized when Zlata reached about a year and a half of age. Triggered by pandemic lockdowns and safety restrictions, Karpa relocated with her daughter to a countryside house near Lviv, while Terekhov stayed behind to continue working.
Physical separation stretched their bond further. Karpa grew accustomed to functioning independently with her daughter, a dynamic that created an emotional chasm. The strain peaked when Terekhov suggested she take a vacation with his brother’s family while he remained behind for work obligations. The singer later described the interior desolation behind a polished public image during that period, noting that she posed for a glossy magazine cover with a broken heart while privately buckling under the stress.
Wartime Realities and a Turning Point
The most devastating trial for the family arrived with the full-scale war. Terekhov, known by the call sign Titanium Jackson, served in active combat zones. Stationed in dangerous frontline locations, he faced the very real prospect of not surviving his assignments.
The constant terror of loss left deep emotional scars on the singer. Karpa admitted that she would not wish that agonizing period upon anyone, describing the painful process of patching her heart back together piece by piece.
Yet, the crucible of war ultimately forced a reconciliation. Having survived hazardous duties in a hot spot, Terekhov returned home with a radically shifted perspective on what mattered most. He approached his wife with an admission that salvaged the relationship.
You are a great value to me along with Zlata. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t know how I’m supposed to fix all this, but I’m ready. Just give me a chance. Yevhen Terekhov, via 24TV
Rebuilding the Marriage
Following that candid conversation, the couple began the deliberate work of repairing their nearly decade-long union. Karpa noted that they are now investing significant energy into keeping their family united and ensuring they actively value one another after years of near-misses and accumulated strain.
