After the death of her father, who had left his family without resources, Catherine and her sister were sent to the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens in St. Petersburg, a school for well-born girls.
După decesul tatălui ei, care a lăsat familia fără resurse, Ecaterina și surorile sale au fost trimise la Institutul Smolnîi din St. Petersburg, un pension pentru fete provenite din rândul nobilimii.