Ludmilla Vladimirovna Vobet-Drago (Russian: Людмила Владимировна Вобет-Драго) is the ex-wife of Ivan Drago and a member of the Soviet Union. The part of Ludmilla was played by Danish actress/centrefold TV personality Brigitte Nielsen, who is ironically an ex-wife of Sylvester Stallone in real life. Ludmilla serves as a major antagonist in Rocky IV and Creed II.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Ludmilla Vobet was born in the USSR. She had been a professional swimmer who competed in the Olympics, winning two gold medals. At some point in her life she met an officer of the Soviet Army named Ivan Drago, who had been trained to be a professional boxer. Eventually Ivan proposed marriage to Ludmilla. Little was known of their early lives or their commitment to the communist way of life. Although not respected to the status of Politburo members, the athletic accomplishments of the Dragos had earned them a place in Soviet high society and access to special priviledges usually not granted to ordinary Soviet citizens.
Rocky IV[]
Unlike Clubber Lang, who was a frequent trash-talker in interviews, Ivan was a man of few words. As a result, Ludmilla always spoke for him during interviews as Ivan simply looked at the cameras, whilst only making occasional eye contact with others. Unlike her taciturn husband, Ludmilla is very self-confident. She has some ability to relate to others, albeit barely. When American sports reporters marvel at Ivan's ability to deliver a powerful punch that exceeds 1800 psi, Ludmilla responds "He eats his spinach, like Popeye", which results in polite laughter. At first, she plays along with American efforts to welcome Drago's sports entourage, remarking that Apollo Creed's reputation has also been known and respected in Russia.
Her true colors are later revealed through her arrogance and lack of emotion. Two examples being that she was shown smiling while Ivan beats Apollo Creed to death and when Rocky Balboa challenges Ivan; she insisted that it would be held in Moscow. As public opinion has turned against the Dragos for Creed's death, Ludmilla goes on the defensive, saying that the Soviet Union is always portrayed as the bad guys while the United States has had a past history of poor race relations and income inequality. Paulie Pennino remarks that "We do not keep our people behind a wall with machine guns", to her annoyance.
In the end though, Ludmilla actually expresses concern over Ivan's well being almost as equal to Adrian's concern over Rocky. Following Ivan's defeat by Rocky, Ludmilla is last seen dismayed over her husband's humiliating defeat.
Events Between Rocky IV & Creed II[]
''I don't even know that woman. She is a stranger. She abandoned you''- Viktor Drago shows his disgusts toward his neglectful mother.
After Ivan's loss to Rocky, Ivan was disgraced by the USSR, where he was shamed and kicked out of the country, tainting the Drago name forever. In 1990, Ludmilla gave birth to Viktor, and based off pictures in Drago's house, seemed to initially be somewhat of loving mother to their son, but soon after divorced Ivan and left him to raise Viktor on his own. Following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ivan resumes boxing in Ukraine and goes to extreme lengths to train Viktor to carry on his legacy so he can be accepted by his people again, but is left to raise him alone.
Creed II[]
By 2018 (Creed II), Ludmilla is shown to no longer be married to Ivan and is not present in their son Viktor's life, as the father and son live in Ukraine. A single picture is seen in the Drago home, alongside newspaper clippings of Ivan's boxing career, of Ludmilla with Viktor as a young baby. Ivan has relentlessly trained and raised Viktor alone to succeed where he did not, in pro boxing and physical fitness to restore honor and respect to the Drago name. Its only after upon hearing that Viktor will go on to challenge Creed's son Adonis (who is Rocky's protege) for the heavyweight championship, Ludmilla hopes that the event will bring back honor and glory in the Drago name. Even when the Russian delegates invited Drago and Viktor over to dinner following Viktor's first fight against Adonis, Ludmilla arrives as well, though Viktor is very bitter towards her for abandoning him as a child.
During the first fight Drago dominates Adonis and but only loses by disqualification for an illegal blow. During the second fight, in round 10, Viktor is knocked down twice. Ludmilla, who had been sitting ringside with some of Viktor's supporters, departs when the tide of the fight shifts in Adonis' favor, knocking Viktor off-balance emotionally, watching his mother abandon him again. At this moment, Ivan realizes that his son is far more important to him than victory and respect, so he throws in the towel, stopping the fight, and allowing Adonis to emerge victoriously. Due to her negligence and lack of support in Viktor's life, he disowned his mother later on.
Appearances[]
- Rocky IV (First appearance)
- Creed II
- Rocky video game
Trivia[]
- The name Ludmilla means "people" or "favour of the people" (lud) and "dear, love" or "gracious, dear" (mila), which befits her desire to be admired publicly.
- Ludmilla can be seen as a negative counterpart to Adrian Balboa, as both ladies had relationships with different professional boxers. However, Adrian was much more loyal to Rocky, even through their numerous hardships (which includes Rocky's own losses), whereas Ludmilla had more concern about her overall reputation than Ivan's condition.