Иван Грозный. Жены и наложницы "Синей бороды"

It is said that the great and terrible Ivan the Terrible bragged about seducing a thousand maidens. It is officially believed that he had several dozen concubines and seven wives. According to rumors, Marfa Sobakina was poisoned, Vasilisa Melentyeva was buried alive, and Maria Dolgorukaya was drowned. The cause of death of Anastasia Romanova is still a mystery. Well, here we have the typical image of "Bluebeard," the mad tyrant and bloody maniac!
But it's not that simple... Eyewitnesses claimed that Ivan IV was a noble and generous man, possessing a pleasant appearance and a charming voice. It has been proven that Grozny was one of the most erudite people of his time. He had a phenomenal memory and mastered oratory wonderfully.
So who is he? A man who doubled the territory of Russia, a wise ruler, and simply a loving man, or a crazy despot, as he is sometimes portrayed in our cinema? In any case, the story of Ivan the Terrible and his women will certainly tickle your nerves!