In the waning days of Imperial Russia, a single man became the center of a storm that shook the Romanov dynasty to its core. Grigori Rasputin, a self-proclaimed holy man from the frozen reaches of Siberia, transformed from an obscure peasant into one of the most influential—and hated—figures in Tsar Nicholas II’s court. To the desperate Tsarina Alexandra, he was a godsend, a healer who calmed her son Alexei’s hemophilia and soothed her anxieties. To his enemies in the nobility, Rasputin was a drunken charlatan whose influence on the imperial family threatened the stability of Russia itself.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we unravel the captivating tale of Rasputin’s meteoric rise, the scandal and suspicion that surrounded him, and the dramatic conspiracy that ended his life on a bitterly cold night in December 1916. What drove a group of aristocrats, including Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, to lure Rasputin to the Moika Palace with promises of cake, wine, and companionship? Did Rasputin truly survive poisoning, gunshots, and beatings, only to succumb to drowning in the icy Neva River—or was the truth far less dramatic than the myths?

We’ll explore the motivations of his killers, the political and social turmoil of early 20th-century Russia, and the myths that have turned Rasputin’s murder into one of the most infamous stories of the modern era. From whispered rumors of supernatural powers to autopsy reports that debunk the legends, this episode dives deep into the blurred lines between fact and fiction that defined Rasputin’s life and death.

But the murder of Rasputin was more than just a grisly tale; it was a turning point in Russian history. Far from saving the Romanov dynasty, his death accelerated the empire’s collapse. Within months, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, the monarchy fell, and the Russian Revolution swept the country into chaos. What can Rasputin’s story tell us about the fragility of power, the consequences of fear, and the myths we create to make sense of the inexplicable?

Join us as we peel back the layers of one of history’s most mysterious and controversial figures to uncover the man behind the legend—and the empire that crumbled in his shadow. Perfect for fans of history, intrigue, and a little scandal, this episode will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about Rasputin and the fall of the Romanovs.

Tune in now on Spotify, iTunes, or your favorite podcast platform.