Zinaida Stoletova (née Flavitskaya) was the wife of Nikolai Stoletov. Nikolai Grigoryevich Stoletov completed his education at the Vladimir Gymnasium, where he earned a gold medal. He then went on to study at the Mathematical Faculty of Moscow University, from which he graduated with a PhD in Mathematics. Yet, he chose a career in the military. Nikolai Stoletov participated in the Crimean War and took part in his first battle. During the war, he received his first officer rank. From 1857 to 1859, he studied at the Nikolaev Academy of General Staff. Following that, he was assigned to the Caucasus Army. In 1863, Stoletov became the head of the Zaqatala Military District, which was located in western Dagestan.

At that time, Nikolai Stoletov decided to start a family. He married Zinaida Nikolaevna, whose father was Nikolai Ivanovich Flavitsky, a nobleman and state councilor who served as an adviser to the Derbent Provincial Court. Zinaida was born on April 17, 1841. According to Nikolai Flavitsky’s service record, his daughters Olga and Zinaida were both enrolled in educational institutions. Therefore, it can be inferred that Zinaida was a well-educated young woman.

On January 26, 1867, Nikolai and Zinaida Stoletov welcomed the birth of their daughter, Zina. Family documents indicate that the girl excelled academically, and Nikolai Stoletov sent her to study in Geneva. During her final exam at one of the educational institutions, a tragic event occurred that would alter the course of the Stoletov family’s life. Zina, who was highly prepared for the exam, confidently responded to questions until she suddenly made a mistake and began speaking “off-topic”. The instructors halted the exam and called the parents, who promptly removed their daughter from the institution. The stress of the incident likely led to a severe mental health crisis. Her mother, Zinaida Nikolaevna, could not endure the grief for her daughter and fell ill as well. Nikolai Stoletov was forced to admit both mother and daughter to a psychiatric hospital, initially in Switzerland and later in Kyiv.

Throughout his life, the military officer, who frequently carried out duties away from his home country, was concerned about the well-being of his loved ones and always strived to provide for them, at times to the detriment of his professional career.