Elizabeth Grigorievna Temkina (Russian: Елизавета Григорьевна Тёмкина, romanized: Elizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina; 24 July [O.S.

According to a number of historical testimonies and family legends, which, however, do not have documentary evidence and are disputed by most historians, Grigory Potemkin and Catherine the Great were secretly married.

[4] But tellingly, Elizabeth was never acknowledged by Catherine, in contrast to Count Aleksey Grigorievich Bobrinsky (1762–1813) the illegitimate son of the Empress.

Nevertheless, because of this Kalageorgi had close ties to the imperial family and would come to be the governor of Kherson (which had been founded by Elizavetas alleged father Potemkin) and then of Ekaterinoslav.

The character of Elizaveta Tiomkina was described in different ways - some called her spoiled, self-confident and uncontrollable, others - a modest woman and a good mother.