March 22, 1730
At the age of 20 she married Gleb Saltykov, who came from a wealthier family. She lived in a happy marriage and gave birth to two sons.
After the sudden death of her husband, the 26-year-old widow inherited estates in three provinces, several streets in the center of Moscow and 1200 serfs (not counting their children).
The abuse of peasants began in the manor house, which was located on Bolshaya Lubyanka (the building now belongs to the FSB).
Saltykova punished serfs for poorly washed floors, cold coffee, or an inappropriate smile. She beat them with her fists, with a log, whipped them, tore out their hair, doused them with boiling water, burned their ears with curling irons, starved them, and forced them to stand naked in the cold.
She tortured her victims with relish, sometimes for entire days. When she tired of striking, she called in her grooms.
Most likely, Saltychikha suffered from a mental illness that developed after the loss of a loved one and was characterized by uncontrollable outbursts of rage.
The atrocities committed did not prevent her from remaining a very pious woman and shining in high society.
Over five years, serfs filed more than 20 complaints against Saltychikha, but connections and bribes helped her avoid punishment. Some of the complainants were sentenced to hard labor for false denunciation, while others disappeared without a trace.
A full investigation began only in 1762, when the complaint reached Catherine IIHaving just ascended the throne, she staged a show trial and demonstrated to the nobility her readiness to combat abuses at the local level (in reality, this did not stop new reprisals against the peasants).
Saltychikha was suspected of death 139 serfs, but it was only possible to prove 38 Kills.
She spent 11 years underground, in complete darkness. Afterward, she was transferred to a room with a window, where she lived for another 22 years, until her death.