A grandmother taxi driver in a Tesla, who dreams of Elon Musk's Cybertruck, gained fame after an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda while visiting Bali.

We learned how a grandmother taxi driver lives in a Tesla.

Photo: Veronika OVSIANNIKOVA. Go to the Photo Bank of KP

“What should I do, sit at home?!”, questions 68-year-old Natalia Yanchenco from St. Petersburg, who, despite her age, drives a trendy Tesla electric car around the city. This summer, thanks to publications in "Komsomolka" about this unusual taxi driver, the whole country learned about her, except for Elon Musk! Just before the New Year, we asked how her life had changed with the surge in popularity.

- People recognize me everywhere in the city. At traffic lights, they catch up with me, roll down their windows, and shout: “We know you! You’re that grandmother in the Tesla!”, laughs Natalia Georgievna. - Usually, they also give me a thumbs up, honk, and say that I’m cool, my car is cool too, and wish us all the best. They also come up with questions about the car - I happily share everything. Recently, I was even shown on TV, so now my neighbors are in the loop (and more than a million people have watched the video with this advanced pensioner on social media. - Ed. note). My family is proud of me!

Natalia Georgievna indeed took a trip to Bali. Photo: provided by "KP"

Natalia is proving with her example: retirement is not a reason to be sad, but an opportunity to learn new things and live life to the fullest.

- When, if not now?! - says the pensioner. - I’ve worked all my life, raised children and grandchildren (Natalia Georgievna even has great-grandchildren. - Ed. note.) - it’s time to live for myself!

Let’s recall, Natalia started working as a taxi driver during the perestroika years - the factory stopped paying, and she had two children to support. She moved to St. Petersburg from Rostov-on-Don last year - it was then that her family bought her a Tesla for two million rubles. Over the past year, this taxi driver has been on the road almost every day, saving her salary to finally go on vacation (by the way, she earns ten times more in the taxi than her pension). And it all worked out! In July, the pensioner sent us stunning photos… from Bali!

- I never even dreamed of such a thing. Only when I retired and continued to work hard in the taxi did it become possible. For me, this trip is the brightest impression of 2024! Next year, I want to travel around Russia: Karelia, Valaam, the Golden Ring. I've already made plans with my classmates. And then we’ll head somewhere else. What are our years?!

The pensioner still dreams of a Cybertruck worth 18 million, but Elon Musk didn’t learn about her hobby after the first publication - we hope he notices her this time.

Photo: Veronika OVSIANNIKOVA. Go to the Photo Bank of KP

Indeed, gardening and knitting socks are not for the tireless Natalia Georgievna. She has an engine inside her that seems to rival that of a Tesla. Interestingly, it’s possible that’s why this pensioner decided to switch from “Zaporozhets” and “sixes” to a sporty, fast car (this model accelerates to 100 kilometers in just 3.3 seconds!).

Natalia Georgievna doesn’t plan to change her car for now - it’s far too expensive these days. Although this modern pensioner still dreams of the trendy Cybertruck from Elon Musk (which starts at 18 million rubles). Well, Ramzan Kadyrov has some already. Maybe Natalia Georgievna will have one soon? But for now, the taxi driver has plenty of work to do.

- During the New Year holidays, there are tons of orders – people frequently take taxis: first, they go shopping for gifts and to corporate parties, then off to visit friends. I have no intention of stopping work. I’ll keep driving as long as my health allows. I’ve already said that without this job, I’d quickly “kick the bucket.” I don’t want to age, and in the car, I feel like I’m 45! - says Natalia. - And to the readers of "Komsomolka", especially the pensioners, I wish not to be afraid and to try new interesting jobs, hobbies at any age, and to always dream! And health - without it, nothing will happen.

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