Famous Russian Women

Russian women are most famous for their beauty and charm. With their delicate features, expressive eyes, and light hair, Russian women are no doubt among the most sought after ladies of the world! But being a true Russian woman is not just about being beautiful from the outside; Russian women possess an inner beauty that is born out of their hard working nature and never-say-die attitude. Lives of the Russian women were in some ways easier than their European counterparts in the 18th century while more difficult in some other aspects. Russia is basically a patriarchic society and thus women were always subjugated to the roles of wives and mothers and not encouraged to create identities of their own. However it was not easy to tie down the ambitious Russian woman and prevent her from exploring the world beyond her domestic responsibilities.

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 1 
Catherine the Great
(Former Empress of Russia (1762 – 1796))
Catherine the Great
79
Birthdate: May 2, 1729
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
Died: November 17, 1796

The Empress of Russia for almost 35 years, Catherine the Great was the country's longest-ruling female leader. An ambitious ruler, she rapidly expanded the Russian Empire and is credited with modernizing the country along Western European lines. She supported the ideals of the Enlightenment and the period of her rule—the Catherinian Era—is considered the Golden Age of Russia.

 2 
Maria Sharapova
(Russian Former World No. 1 Tennis Player)
Maria Sharapova
61
Birthdate: April 19, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
One of Time’s 30 Legends of Women's Tennis, Maria Sharapova, the first Russian woman tennis player to top the singles rankings, earned three doubles and five Grand Slam titles. A failed drug test led to her temporary suspension. She bounced back with modeling and launched her confectionary brand Sugarpova.
 3 
Irina Shayk
(Russian Model and Actress)
Irina Shayk
66
Birthdate: January 6, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Yemanzhelinsk, Russia

Irina Shayk became the first Russian model to appear on the cover page of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011. Widely regarded as an industry icon, Irina Shayk is the face of many international brands. Also a well-known philanthropist in Russia, Irina raises money for a charity organization called Pomogi, which helps sick children.

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 4 
Anna Kournikova
(Russian Former Tennis Player and One of the Best-Known Tennis Stars Worldwide)
Anna Kournikova
26
Birthdate: June 7, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Anna Kournikova was once world no. 8 in singles tennis rankings, in spite of never having won a singles title. She was no. 1 in doubles, teaming up with Martina Hingis. Following her retirement from tennis due to a spinal issue, she became a popular TV personality.
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 5 
Mariya Putina
(Russian Pediatric Endocrinologist and Eldest Daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin)
Mariya Putina
91
Birthdate: April 28, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Maria Vorontsova, the eldest daughter of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is a pediatric endocrinologist and Putin's advisor in genetic engineering. She has also co-written a book on idiopathic stunting in kids. She is currently a PhD candidate at Moscow’s Endocrinology Research Centre and is married to Dutch entrepreneur Jorrit Faassen.
 6 
Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia
(Russia’s Grand Duchess and the Youngest Daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, Last Emperor)
Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia
16
Birthdate: June 18, 1901
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Peterhof, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: July 17, 1918
Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia was the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II. She was assassinated by the Bolsheviks in July 1918. However, rumors of her escape sprung up later, with many imposters claiming to be Anastasia. Nevertheless, DNA tests have dismissed any chances of Anastasia’s survival.
 7 
Lyudmila Putina
(Ex-Wife of Russian President Vladimir Putin)
Lyudmila Putina
32
Birthdate: January 6, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kaliningrad, Russia
Lyudmila Putina was married to Russian president and former prime minister Vladimir Putin from 1983 to 2013. Their divorce was publicly announced on national TV, during the intermission of a ballet performance. She has been associated with programs developing the Russian language and was previously a flight attendant for Aeroflot.
 8 
Evgenia Medvedeva
(Former Competitive Russian Figure Skater)
Evgenia Medvedeva
11
Birthdate: November 19, 1999
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Evgenia Medvedeva is a Russian figure skater who has won two silver Olympic medals, two World Championship gold medals, and two European Championship gold medals. At the 2017 World Championships, Medvedeva became the first 16-year-old female skater after Michelle Kwan to win back-to-back world titles. Evgenia Medvedeva is also the first skater to achieve two Grand Slams in a row. 

 9 
Kamila Valieva
(Russian Figure Skater and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Kamila Valieva
20
Birthdate: April 26, 2006
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kazan, Russia
 10 
Lyudmila Pavlichenko
(One of the Most Successful Female Snipers in Recorded History)
Lyudmila Pavlichenko
27
Birthdate: July 12, 1916
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bila Tserkva, Ukraine
Died: October 27, 1974

Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko belonged to the Red Army during World War II and is believed to have killed over 300 people. Also known as Lady Death, she was awarded the Order of Lenin and was made a Hero of the Soviet Union. She later became a Soviet Navy researcher.

 11 
Alina Zagitova
(Russian Figure Skater and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Alina Zagitova
17
Birthdate: May 18, 2002
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Izhevsk, Russia

Alina Zagitova is a Russian figure skater who has won one gold medal each in Olympic Games, World Figure Skating Championships, European Figure Skating Championships, and Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final; she is the only female figure skater from Russia to have achieved this feat. At the 2019 Glamour Russia Awards, Alina Zagitova was named Sportswoman of the Year.

 12 
Valentina Tereshkova
(The First and Youngest Woman in Space)
Valentina Tereshkova
21
Birthdate: March 6, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bol'shoe Maslennikovo, Russia
Former cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova is currently part of the Russian State Duma. In 1963, she became the first woman to fly into space when she went on a solo mission aboard the Vostok 6. She has won many honors, such as the Hero of the Soviet Union.
 13 
Like Nastya
(Russian-American Social Media Personality and YouTuber)
Like Nastya
47
Birthdate: January 27, 2014
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Krasnodar Krai, Russia
 14 
Elizabeth of Russia
(Empress of Russia (1741 - 1762))
Elizabeth of Russia
8
Birthdate: December 29, 1709
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: January 5, 1762
Elizabeth Petrovna, or Elizabeth of Russia, daughter of Tsar Peter the Great, was the Russian empress from 1741 to 1762. She became famous for not executing a single person during her rule and for modernizing Russia’s architecture. She was a key figure of the Russian Age of Enlightenment.
 15 
Olga Korbut
(Soviet Former Gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Olga Korbut
8
Birthdate: May 16, 1955
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Grodno, Belarus

Olga Korbut is a former gymnast who represented the Soviet Union in two Olympic Games, winning four gold medals and two silver medals. Nicknamed the Sparrow from Minsk, Korbut also participated in the 18th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships where she won two gold medals and four silver medals. In 1988, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. 

 16 
Antonina Krivoshapka
(Russian Athlete)
Antonina Krivoshapka
0
Birthdate: July 21, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 17 
Maria Feodorovna
(Former Empress Consort of Russia)
Maria Feodorovna
3
Birthdate: November 26, 1847
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Yellow Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: October 13, 1928

Maria Feodorovna was a Danish princess who married Emperor Alexander III and became Empress of Russia. She was the second daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and Louise of Hesse-Kassel. She grew up to be a beautiful and charming woman. She was married to Alexander Alexandrovich, the son of Emperor Alexander II and his first wife Maria Alexandrovna. 

 18 
Anna Pavlova
(Russian Ballerina and One of the Most-Celebrated Ballet Dancers of Her Time)
Anna Pavlova
8
Birthdate: February 12, 1881
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: January 23, 1931

One of the first ballerinas to travel extensively around the world, Anna Pavlova had first gained an interest in the dance form after watching an adaptation of The Sleeping Beauty. She initially gained fame dancing with Mikhail Mordkin and later made waves with her iconic role in The Dying Swan.

 19 
Helena Blavatsky
(Russian Writer and Co-Founder of the 'Theosophical Society')
Helena Blavatsky
3
Birthdate: August 12, 1831
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dnipro, Ukraine
Died: May 8, 1891

Russian philosopher Helena Blavatsky, or Madame Blavatsky, was one of the co-founders of the Theosophical Society. She popularized the slogan “There is no religion higher than truth.” She was inspired by the Arya Samaj and later converted to Buddhism. She also wrote books such as The Secret Doctrine.

 20 
Natalia Vodianova
(Russian Model, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and Founder of the 'Naked Heart Foundation')
Natalia Vodianova
9
Birthdate: February 28, 1982
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Named the new UN goodwill ambassador, Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova, or Supernova, remains determined to work to remove social reservations associated with issues such as menstruation. Growing up with her fruit-seller single mother had made her join modeling at 15. She even has a Russian Barbie modeled on her.
 21 
Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia
(Eldest Child of Emperor Nicholas II, and of Empress Alexandra of Russia)
Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia
7
Birthdate: November 15, 1895
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: July 17, 1918
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 22 
Sasha Luss
(Russian Model and Actress Known for Her Role as ‘Anna Poliatova’ in the Film 'Anna')
Sasha Luss
13
Birthdate: June 6, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Magadan, Russia
Russian model Sasha Luss is known for her association with top-notch brands such as Prada and Louis Vuitton. Although she initially dreamed of being a ballerina, an ankle injury stopped her ballet career short. She has also starred in the titular role in the spy thriller Anna
 23 
Alina Kabaeva
(Russian Politician, Media Manager and Retired Rhythmic Gymnast)
Alina Kabaeva
7
Birthdate: May 12, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 24 
Anna Shcherbakova
(Russian Figure Skater, Television Presenter, and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Anna Shcherbakova
16
Birthdate: March 28, 2004
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
 25 
Anna Netrebko
(Russian Operatic Singer)
Anna Netrebko
5
Birthdate: September 18, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Krasnodar, Russia

Anna Netrebko is a Russian operatic singer who has performed at popular venues, such as The Royal Opera and Metropolitan Opera. She achieved international fame in 2002, when she played Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at the Salzburg Festival. One of the most decorated operatic singers of her generation, Anna Netrebko was included in the Time 100 list in 2007.

 26 
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia
(Saint)
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia
7
Birthdate: June 10, 1897
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Peterhof, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: July 17, 1918
 27 
Alexandra Trusova
(Russian Figure Skater and Olympic Silver Medalist)
Alexandra Trusova
18
Birthdate: June 23, 2004
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ryazan, Russia
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
 28 
Anna Politkovskaya
(Russian Journalist and Human Rights Activist)
Anna Politkovskaya
9
Birthdate: August 30, 1958
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: October 7, 2006

Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian writer, journalist, and human rights activist. She is best remembered for reporting the Second Chechen War. In spite of various acts of intimidation and violence, Politkovskaya never gave up reporting on the war. Her efforts and work earned her several international awards, such as the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award. Politkovskaya was murdered in 2006.

 29 
Yulia Lipnitskaya
8
Birthdate: June 5, 1998
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Yekaterinburg, Russia

Yulia Lipnitskaya stunned her fans with the news of her retirement at the tender age of 19. Apparently, she had been struggling with injuries and anorexia. The Russian professional figure skater won an Olympic gold at 15, thus becoming the youngest Russian gold medalist in history.

 30 
Kristina Pimenova
(Russian Model)
Kristina Pimenova
46
Birthdate: December 27, 2005
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Blue-eyed Russian child model Kristina Pimenova was already a star by age 10, having signed a deal with LA Models and worked for Armani and Benetton. Criticized for her “sexed-up” images on social media, she grew up to experiment with acting in films such as The Russian Bride.

 31 
Ekaterina Gordeeva
(Russian Figure Skater and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Ekaterina Gordeeva
2
Birthdate: May 28, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5'1" (155 cm)
 32 
Anne Vyalitsyna
(Russian-American Model Known for Her 10-Consecutive-Year Appearances in the ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’)
Anne Vyalitsyna
5
Birthdate: March 19, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Anne Vyalitsyna is a Russian-American model renowned for her consecutive appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue from 2005 to 2014. Apart from appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Vyalitsyna has also appeared on the covers of popular magazines, such as Glamour, Elle, and Vogue. She has also walked the runway for brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Prada.

 33 
Olesya Rulin
(Actress)
Olesya Rulin
4
Birthdate: March 17, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Olesya Rulin is a Russian-American actress best known for acting in the High School Musical film franchise. Even though she was interested in the show business from a young age, she began her career as a nurse assistant. She eventually became an actress and found tremendous success with the release of the High School Musical films.

 34 
Lena Katina
(Singer)
Lena Katina
6
Birthdate: October 4, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 35 
Yelena Isinbayeva
(The Greatest Female Pole-Vaulter of All Time)
Yelena Isinbayeva
3
Birthdate: June 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Volgograd, Russia
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 36 
Nataliya Kuznetsova
(Russian Professional Female Bodybuilder )
Nataliya Kuznetsova
21
Birthdate: July 1, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Chita, Russia

Russian powerlifter Nataliya Kuznetsova was introduced to bodybuilding at 14, when she had started visiting the gym on the persistence of her father, who wished to boost her self-confidence. The world bench press, armlifting, and deadlift title holder is openly bisexual but also flaunts her love for her husband

 37 
Dasha Zhukova
(Businesswoman & Art Collector and Founder of 'Garage Museum of Contemporary Art')
Dasha Zhukova
4
Birthdate: June 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Moscow-born businesswoman Dasha Zhukova not only co-owns a fashion label but is also an art connoisseur who has established the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and founded Garage magazine. She was previously married to business tycoon and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and later married shipping heir Stavros Niarchos III. 
 38 
Nina Kraviz
(DJ)
Nina Kraviz
2
Birthdate: October 12, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Irkutsk, Russia

Nina Kraviz is a Russian DJ, singer, and music producer. She studied dentistry and even practiced for some time while performing gigs as a side hustle. She then proceeded to study at the Red Bull Music Academy. She released her self-titled debut album in 2012 and then went on to launch her own record label. 

 39 
Katerina Tikhonova
(The Second Daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin)
Katerina Tikhonova
42
Birthdate: August 31, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dresden, Germany

Katerina Tikhonova is a Russian acrobatic dancer who finished fifth at a world championship event held in Switzerland in 2013. The daughter of Vladimir Putin, Tikhonova serves as director of the National Intellectual Reserve Centre (NIRC) and National Intellectual Development Foundation (NIDF), which are initiatives of Moscow State University.

 40 
Roza Shanina
(Soviet Sniper During World War II)
Roza Shanina
9
Birthdate: April 3, 1924
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Edma, Ustyansky District, Russia
Died: January 28, 1945
Roza Shanina walked 8 miles to her school and back every day and ran away from home when her parents refused to allow her to study any further. The Red Army sniper, known as unseen terror of East Prussia for her 59 killings, documented her combat experience in a diary.
 41 
Alla Nazimova
(Actress, Director, Producer Best Known for Her Film ‘Salome’)
Alla Nazimova
4
Birthdate: June 3, 1879
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Yalta, Crimea, Russian Empire
Died: July 13, 1945

Alla Nazimova was a Russian-American actress who had an extensive career on Broadway. She acted in the classic plays of playwrights like Ibsen, Chekhov, and Turgenev. She eventually moved on to films and had an equally successful stint in cinema as well. She was openly bisexual and had sexual relationships with women while being married to a man.

 42 
Anastasia Kvitko
(Russian Model and Instagram Star)
Anastasia Kvitko
49
Birthdate: November 25, 1994
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kaliningrad, Russia

Anastasia Kvitko is a Russian model and entrepreneur. Often referred to as the Russian Kim Kardashian, Kvitko is best known for her curvaceous figure. Although she was initially rejected by several modeling agencies due to her voluptuous figure, Anastasia Kvitko went on establish herself as a glamour model. 

 43 
Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya
(Deputy Minister of Education in the Government of the Soviet Union 1929 – 1938)
Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya
4
Birthdate: February 26, 1869
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: February 27, 1939
 44 
Anna Akhmatova
(One of the Most Significant Russian Poets of 20th Century)
Anna Akhmatova
6
Birthdate: June 23, 1889
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Odessa, Ukraine
Died: March 5, 1966

One of the greatest Russian women poets, Anna Akhmatova had started writing poems at age 11. She was part of the Acmeists, who laid down their own style, Acmeism. Poema bez geroya and Requiem remain two of her finest works. She later wrote about the horrors of the Stalinist regime.

 45 
Alena Kostornaia
(Russian Figure Skater)
Alena Kostornaia
11
Birthdate: August 24, 2003
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
 46 
Olga Khokhlova
(Russian Ballet Dancer and First Wife of Artist Pablo Picasso)
Olga Khokhlova
4
Birthdate: June 17, 1891
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nizhyn, Ukraine
Died: February 11, 1955

Olga Khokhlova was a Ukrainian ballet dancer. She also served as one of Pablo Picasso's early artistic muses before marrying him in 1918. Olga met Picasso at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris where the latter had designed the set and costumes for a ballet titled Parade, in which Olga performed. She left her ballet group after meeting Pablo Picasso.

 47 
Kristina Rihanoff
(Ballroom Dancer and Choreographer)
Kristina Rihanoff
3
Birthdate: September 22, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Vladivostok, Russia

Kristina Rihanoff is a Russian professional ballroom dancer, author, choreographer, and instructor. She achieved popularity after competing in the popular British television dance contest, Strictly Come Dancing. Also known for her philanthropic efforts, Kristina Rihanoff works closely with a children's charity named The Dot Com Foundation, which helps children handle challenging situations.

 48 
Regina Spektor
(Singer-Songwriter)
Regina Spektor
6
Birthdate: February 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
 49 
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia
(Duchess)
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia
5
Birthdate: October 17, 1853
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, St. Petersburg, Russia
Died: October 24, 1920
 50 
Sophie Tucker
(American Comedian, Actress, Singer, and Radio Personality)
Sophie Tucker
9
Birthdate: January 13, 1886
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tul'chyn, Ukraine
Died: February 9, 1966

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova became the first Russian woman to travel in space and set an example for other women to follow. The first woman military pilot, Yevgeniya Shakhovskaya was also a Russian as was the prominent female mathematician, Sofia Kovalevskaya who discovered the Kovalevskaya Top. Browse this site to learn more about the famous Russian women who made immense contributions to the world.