"She needs money now." Artyom Chekalin commented on the launch of his cancer-stricken ex-wife Lerchek's brand.
Artyom Chekalin, the ex-husband of blogger Lerchek, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer, said she needs financial support, Super reports.
Following the latest hearing in the Gagarinsky Court, Chekalin stated that his ex-wife truly needs the money now—for medical treatment and for her family. "Of course, I'm worried about her. I have three children with her, and in my worldview, there was never any [idea] that things could be this serious," he admitted.
Chekalin also commented on the launch of Lerchek's (real name: Valeria Chekalina) new brand, which was announced this week. Artem said he knows nothing about the project, but wishes his ex-wife success and speculates that she may have found partners to develop it.
Valeria gave birth to three children in her marriage to Artem: twins Alisa and Bogdan and a son, Lev. The twins were born through IVF—Lerchek underwent numerous IVF procedures before she was able to conceive.
Lerchek's new business venture was announced on March 24. Her boyfriend, Louis Squicchiarini, explained that even under house arrest, the blogger hadn't been idle and was actively involved in creating the brand with her mother. Now, Lerchek, who has cancer, will be selling skincare products.
As a reminder, news of Lerchek's diagnosis broke in early March. Immediately after the birth of her fourth son in late February 2026, the blogger was admitted to intensive care, where doctors diagnosed her with stage IV stomach cancer. Later, her boyfriend, Argentine Luis Squicciarini, confirmed that the cancer had already metastasized to her lungs, spine, and legs. Lerchek is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy at a state oncology center.
A criminal case against Valeria and Artyom Chekalin was opened in 2023. They were accused of tax evasion totaling 300 million rubles and, after repaying the debt, of illegally transferring over 250 million rubles abroad, earned from the sale of fitness marathons. In November 2024, the court placed both under house arrest.
On March 16, 2026, the criminal case against Lerchek was suspended due to a serious illness. After the blogger was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the court changed her preventive measure from house arrest to a ban on certain activities. The very next day, it became known that Chekalina's tax debt in the amount of 175 million rubles had been paid by an individual whose identity the lawyers refused to disclose.
Lerchek previously filed a complaint with the Investigative Committee requesting an investigation into the investigator who, while under house arrest, prevented doctors from visiting her and obstructed examinations. According to the blogger, this led to the cancer being detected too late—it was already stage four, when metastases had already spread. The Ministry of Internal Affairs denies this claim.
Photo: ler_chek, im__lu_, lerchekfamily_life/Instagram* *
