Grigori Efimovich Rasputin

The famous song “Rasputin” by Boney M is based on a man who “lived in Russia long ago.” His name was Grigori Efimovich Rasputin, a holy man and mystic who served under Nicholas II and the queen at the time. He was part of the royal family’s inner circle and held great power as an advisor.

However, other influential people around them weren’t exactly fans due to the power he held in court. They eventually killed him in 1916. Rasputin has ever since been a popular figure in pop culture, and many TV and films depict him, like the 1997 Dreamworks animated feature ”Anastasia.”