"Is Mom Dying?" Lerchek's ex-husband shared how their children are coping with their mother's illness, who is battling stage 4 cancer.
Blogger Lerchek's ex-husband, Artyom Chekalin, spoke about their children's lives after Chekalina's serious cancer diagnosis was revealed. This was reported by the Telegram channel Shot.
"Valeria is constantly in the hospital. It's hard for the children, of course. Honestly, sometimes they cry and worry—especially my daughter. She says, 'Daddy, is Mommy dying?' The first time she said that to me, I cried myself. Because it's all so hard," Artyom shared. Lerchek and Chekalin had three children: 11-year-old twins Alisa and Bogdan, and three-year-old Lev. The couple divorced in July 2024.
Artyom previously stated that his ex-wife currently needs money for treatment and her family.
As a reminder, Lerchek's (real name: Valeria Chekalina) diagnosis was announced in early March 2026. Immediately after the birth of her fourth son, she was admitted to intensive care, where doctors discovered stage-four stomach cancer with metastases to her lungs, spine, and legs. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy at a state cancer center.
Despite her serious condition, at the end of March, Lerchek announced she was launching a new business—a skincare brand. The blogger's mother registered the company, and Valeria herself assisted with the launch while under house arrest. Argentinean Luis Squicciarini, the blogger's fiancé and the father of her youngest child, confirmed that even under these circumstances, she actively participated in the creation of the brand. This news, along with information that appeared online about the recent sighting of the cancer-stricken blogger at an elite fitness club, only reinforced the belief of those who doubt the reality of her diagnosis.
Furthermore, 33-year-old Lerchek filed a complaint with the Investigative Committee, requesting an investigation into the investigator, who, according to her, prevented doctors from visiting her during her house arrest and obstructed examinations. According to the blogger, this led to the illness being diagnosed too late. The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not confirm Chekalina's claims.
As a reminder, on March 16, the criminal case against Lerchek was temporarily suspended. She is accused of illegally transferring over 250 million rubles abroad, earned from the sale of fitness marathons. Her ex-husband, Artyom Chekalin, unlike Valeria, pleaded guilty. Notably, the day after the criminal case was suspended, it was reported that Chekalina's 175 million ruble tax debt had been paid off anonymously. Squicchiarini later reported that the blogger had repaid the debt herself, thus putting an end to speculation about Lerchek's secret benefactor.
Photo: ler_chek, im__lu_, lerchekfamily_life/Instagram**