Famous People Born In Saint Petersburg

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 1 
Ayn Rand
(Writer and Philosopher Known for Her Best-Selling Novels ‘The Fountainhead’ and ‘Atlas Shrugged’)
Ayn Rand
46
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 2, 1905
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: March 6, 1982

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American philosopher and writer. Apart from publishing two best-selling novels, Ayn Rand is credited with developing a philosophical system called Objectivism. Over the years, Ayn Rand has been a major influence among American conservatives and libertarians. Some of the famous personalities influenced by her include Amber Heard, Vince Vaughn, Jimmy Wales, Ayelet Shaked, and Mary Ruwart.

 2 
Vladimir Nabokov
(Best Known For His Novels 'Lolita' and 'Pale Fire')
Vladimir Nabokov
9
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 23, 1899
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: July 2, 1977
Russian author Vladimir Nabokov, also known by his pen name, Vladimir Sirin, is best remembered for his controversial novel Lolita. His other works include the novel Pale Fire and his memoir, Speak, Memory. He was also an entomologist, specializing in lepidoptery. He also liked composing chess problems.
 3 
Vladimir Putin
(President of Russia (2000 - 2008, Incumbent Since 2012))
Vladimir Putin
440
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 7, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra

The current President of Russia, Vladimir Putin is a popular politician, with the highest approval rating of any leader in the world as of July 2020. As a high-level politician who has the support of his citizens, he is a powerful figure in world politics. He has been accused by human rights organizations of persecuting political critics and activists.

 4 
Anna Pavlova
(Russian Ballerina and One of the Most-Celebrated Ballet Dancers of Her Time)
Anna Pavlova
9
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: February 12, 1881
Sun Sign: Aquarius
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.

 5 
Nicholas II
(Emperor of Russia (1894 - 1917))
Nicholas II
48
Birthdate: May 18, 1868
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: July 17, 1918

Nicholas II reigned as the last Emperor of All Russia from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. His reign oversaw a series of reforms in Russia. These reforms included the introduction of literacy programs, civil liberties, and methods to modernize the empire's infrastructure. However, these reforms were eventually undermined by Nicholas' love for autocratic rule.

 6 
Anton Yelchin
(American Actor Best Known for His Role as 'Pavel Chekov' in the 'Star Trek' Reboot Film Series)
Anton Yelchin
32
Birthdate: March 11, 1989
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: June 19, 2016

As an actor, who was also interested in photography and playing the guitar, Anton Yelchin was a man of many talents. Unfortunately, he was involved in a freak accident that killed him when he was 27. Such was his impact in Hollywood that a bronze statue of his was erected at his grave and many celebrities attended the unveiling ceremony.

 7 
Mariya Putina
(Russian Pediatric Endocrinologist and Eldest Daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin)
Mariya Putina
95
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 28, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
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.
 8 
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
17
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 18, 1901
Sun Sign: Gemini
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.
 9 
Boris Spassky
(Russian Chess Grandmaster)
Boris Spassky
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 30, 1937
Sun Sign: Aquarius

Boris Spassky is a Russian chess player who held the World Chess Championship title from 1969 to 1972. He was part of the famous World Chess Championship match in 1972 where he lost his championship title to Bobby Fischer of the United States. In Bobby Fischer's 2014 biopic Pawn Sacrifice, Boris Spassky is portrayed by American actor Isaac Liev Schreiber.

 10 
Dmitry Shostakovich
(One of the Major Russian Composers of the 20th Century)
Dmitry Shostakovich
8
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 25, 1906
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: August 9, 1975

Dmitry Shostakovich was a Soviet and Russian pianist and composer. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's major composers, Shostakovich's music is characterized by ambivalent tonality, elements of the grotesque, and sharp contrasts. He composed 15 symphonies during his lifetime and most of his work came under Joseph Stalin.

 11 
George Sanders
(Actor Known for His Films: 'Rebecca', 'Foreign Correspondent' and 'All About Eve')
George Sanders
9
Birthdate: July 3, 1906
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: April 25, 1972

George Sanders was a British actor, music composer, singer-songwriter, and author. Characterized by his smooth bass voice and heavy English accent, Sanders often portrayed sophisticated but villainous roles. For his contribution to the film and TV industry, George Sanders was honored with a couple of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 12 
Alexander I of Russia
(Emperor of Russia from 1801 to 1825)
Alexander I of Russia
12
Birthdate: December 23, 1777
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: December 1, 1825

Alexander I was the emperor of Russia and the eldest son of Paul I. While he was initially a friend of Napoleon Bonaparte, he later joined hands with his opponents to defeat him. He was also part of the Congress of Vienna and later contributed to the formation of the Holy Alliance.

 13 
Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia
(Prince of Russia from 1904 to 1918)
Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia
8
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 12, 1904
Sun Sign: Leo
Died: July 17, 1918

Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia was the heir apparent to the Russian Empire's throne. The only son of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and Emperor Nicholas II, Alexei was born with haemophilia, which was treated by the popular faith healer Grigori Rasputin. In 1918, Alexei and his family members were executed brutally by Communist revolutionaries.  

 14 
Alexander III of Russia
(Emperor of Russia (1881 - 1894))
Alexander III of Russia
11
Birthdate: March 10, 1845
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: November 1, 1894
Alexander III ruled as the emperor of Russia, the king Poland, and the grand duke of Finland, from 1881 to 1894. He reversed many liberal policies that had been implemented by his father, Alexander II, earlier. He passed the “May Laws” and did not participate in any major war.
 15 
Nikolai Valuev
(The Tallest and Heaviest World Champion in Boxing History)
Nikolai Valuev
8
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 21, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
The Russian Giant Nikolai Valuev has been the WBA heavyweight champion twice, and at 149 kg and 7 ft., is the heaviest and tallest champion ever. Severe health issues caused him to retire from boxing, following which he appeared in films such as Stonehead and became a State Duma member.
 16 
Andriy Yarmolenko
(Ukrainian Football Midfielder/Forward)
Andriy Yarmolenko
21
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 23, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra

Andriy Yarmolenko is a Ukrainian football player who plays as a forward or midfielder. He is the current captain of the Ukraine national football team. He is best known for his association with Dynamo Kyiv; he played for the team from 2008 to 2017. In 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017, Andriy Yarmolenko was named Ukrainian Footballer of the Year.

 17 
Margarita Levieva
(Russian-American Actress Known for Roles in the TV Series ‘Revenge’, ‘The Blacklist’ and ‘Allegiance’)
Margarita Levieva
6
Birthdate: February 9, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius

Margarita Levieva is a Russian-American actress known for playing important roles in TV series like Vanished, How to Make It in America, Revenge, Allegiance, and The Deuce. Apart from being an actress, Levieva is also a dancer. She has also been training as a rhythmic gymnast since the age of three.

 18 
Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia
(Eldest Child of Emperor Nicholas II, and of Empress Alexandra of Russia)
Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia
10
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 15, 1895
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died: July 17, 1918
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 19 
Galina Ulanova
(One of the Greatest Ballerinas of the 20th Century)
Galina Ulanova
5
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: January 8, 1910
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died: March 21, 1998
Born to dancer parents, Soviet ballerina Galina Ulanova was destined to follow in their footsteps. The dancer who had performed with both Mariinsky and Bolshoi theaters remains the only two-time Hero of Socialist Labour winner. She amazed audiences in Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet.
 20 
Ivan VI of Russia
(Emperor of Russia)
Ivan VI of Russia
7
Birthdate: August 23, 1740
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: July 16, 1764
The eldest child of Duke Anthony Ulrich and Duchess Anna Leopoldovna, Ivan VI of Russia, took over the throne as a 2-month-old baby, with his mother as the regent. His first cousin Elizabeth’s coup later resulted in his imprisonment for 20 years and his eventual assassination. 
 21 
Pavel Durov
(French entrepreneur who is best known for being the founder of the social networking site VK and later of Telegram Messenger)
Pavel Durov
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: October 10, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
 22 
Viktor Tsoi
(Soviet Singer-Songwriter and Co-Founder of the Rock Band 'Kino')
Viktor Tsoi
10
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: June 21, 1962
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: August 15, 1990

Viktor Tsoi, the lead singer of the legendary Russian rock band Kino, broke the hearts of his fans across the world when he died in a tragic car crash at age 28. A symbol of rebellion, Tsoi transformed rock music from an underground movement to a mainstream phenomenon in Russia.

 23 
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia
(Saint)
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia
9
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 10, 1897
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: July 17, 1918
 24 
Felix Yusupov
(Prince of Russia)
Felix Yusupov
1
Birthdate: March 23, 1887
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: September 27, 1967

Felix Yusupov was a Russian prince and count from the Yusupov family. He participated in the assassination of the controversial mystic Grigori Rasputin. He was born into a wealthy family and led a flamboyant life. He was happily married to Princess Irina of Russia, the niece of Tsar Nicholas II, for more than 50 years.

 25 
Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia
(Russian Noble and Youngest Son of Emperor Alexander III of Russia)
Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 4, 1878
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died: June 13, 1918

Son of Alexander III, the emperor of Russia, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich refused to accept the throne unless Russians were allowed to decide if they wanted the monarchy or a republic. Both Michael and his British secretary, Nicholas Johnson, were arrested and shot to death during the Russian Revolution.

 26 
Dmitry Medvedev
(Prime Minister of Russia from 2012 to 2020 and President of Russia from 2008 to 2012)
Dmitry Medvedev
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 14, 1965
Sun Sign: Virgo

Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has also been the prime minister and president of Russia. Born to teacher parents, he was an intelligent child and began studying his father’s encyclopedia in third grade. He is known for his support of the nuclear disarmament treaty.

 27 
Sergei Krikalev
(Russian Retired Cosmonaut: Ranks Third for the Most Time Spent in Space)
Sergei Krikalev
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 27, 1958
Sun Sign: Virgo

Soviet and Russian mechanical-engineer and retired cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev who spent 803 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes in space over the span of six spaceflights held the record of spending most time in space before his record was surpassed by Gennady Padalka on June 28, 2015. At present Krikalev ranks third in the list after Padalka and Yuri Malenchenko.  

 28 
Tom Conway
(British Actor Best Known for His Portrayals of Private Detectives)
Tom Conway
1
Birthdate: September 15, 1904
Sun Sign: Virgo
Died: April 22, 1967

Best known for playing detectives such as The Falcon and Sherlock Holmes, British actor Tom Conway also appeared in 2 Tarzan movies and a few Val Lewton cult horror movies. His performance in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents was appreciated by critics. He also voiced a role in 101 Dalmatians.

 29 
Viktor Korchnoi
(Soviet-Swiss Chess Grandmaster)
Viktor Korchnoi
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 23, 1931
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: June 6, 2016

Viktor Korchnoi was a writer and chess grandmaster. He is widely regarded as one of the best players never to have achieved the World Chess Championship title. He played chess until old age and became the oldest player to be ranked in the top 100 players list when he won the World Senior Chess Championship in 2006 at age 75.

 30 
Peter Carl Fabergé
(Russian Jeweller Best Known for the Famous 'Fabergé Eggs' Made of Precious Metals and Gemstones)
Peter Carl Fabergé
4
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: May 30, 1846
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: September 24, 1920

Apart from being the official jeweler of the Russian imperial court, Peter Carl Fabergé also created some of the most innovative jewelry designs, such as the iconic Fabergé eggs. He had also launched workshops in London, Moscow, and Kiev. Later, hounded by the revolutionary government, he fled to Switzerland.

 31 
Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya
(Deputy Minister of Education in the Government of the Soviet Union 1929 – 1938)
Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 26, 1869
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: February 27, 1939
 32 
Joseph Brodsky
(Poet, Essayist and Winner of 1987 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Joseph Brodsky
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 24, 1940
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: January 28, 1996
Nobel Prize-winning Russian-American poet Joseph Brodsky is remembered for his elegiac and lyric poems. While he had started writing poems soon after leaving school, he was sentenced to hard labor by the Soviets for his irregular work record. He later moved to the U.S., where he taught at various universities.
 33 
Andrey Arshavin
(Russian Former Professional Football Winger / Midfielder)
Andrey Arshavin
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 29, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini

Andrey Arshavin is a Russian former football player who helped Zenit Saint Petersburg win several trophies, such as the League Cup, Russian Premier League, UEFA Cup, Russian Super Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. He was also an important player for the Russian national football team and helped the team reach the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2008.

 34 
Nicholas Roerich
(Russian Painter, Archaeologist and Philosopher)
Nicholas Roerich
0
Birthdate: October 9, 1874
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: December 13, 1947

Russian painter, writer, philosopher, theosophist and archaeologist, Nicholas Roerich, counted among the greatest Russian painters, is noted for initiating the modern movement for the defense of cultural objects. One of the greatest feats that he achieved during his lifetime was the Roerich Pact that was signed into law by the US and most nations of the Pan-American Union.

 35 
Peter II of Russia
(Emperor of Russia (1727 - 1730))
Peter II of Russia
3
Birthdate: October 23, 1715
Sun Sign: Libra
Died: January 30, 1730
Peter II Alexeyevich, the only son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, ruled as the emperor of Russia from 1727 to 1730. He became a Tsar as a child but died an untimely death due to small pox at 14, on the day that he had planned to marry Ekaterina Dolgorukova.
 36 
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia
(Daughter of Emperor Alexander III of Russia)
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia
8
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 13, 1882
Sun Sign: Gemini
Died: November 24, 1960

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Emperor Alexander III, was a sickly but studious child. After leaving her first husband, who was homosexual, after a 15-year unconsummated marriage, Olga married Nikolai Kulikovsky and later fled with him and their children to escape the Russian revolution.

 37 
Natalia Makarova
(Ballet dancer, Choreographer)
Natalia Makarova
3
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: November 21, 1940
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 38 
Ksenia Sobchak
(Host of the Reality Show 'Dom-2' on the Russian channel TNT)
Ksenia Sobchak
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 5, 1981
Sun Sign: Scorpio

Ksenia Sobchak is a Russian TV anchor, journalist, actress, socialite, and public figure. The daughter of popular Russian politicians, Sobchak achieved popularity when she started hosting the popular reality TV show, Dom-2. In 2018, at the age of 36, she was chosen as the Civic Initiative's presidential candidate, becoming the youngest presidential candidate in the history of Russia.

 39 
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia
(Imperial Highness)
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia
3
Birthdate: June 26, 1899
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: July 17, 1918
 40 
Anish Giri
(Dutch Chess Grandmaster)
Anish Giri
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 28, 1994
Sun Sign: Cancer
 41 
Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia
(Aristocrat)
Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 15, 1895
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died: February 26, 1970
 42 
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia
(Aristocrat)
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 9, 1871
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: July 10, 1899
 43 
Vladislav Doronin
(CEO of Aman Resorts)
Vladislav Doronin
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 7, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
 44 
Boris Strugatsky
(Authors)
Boris Strugatsky
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 14, 1933
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: November 19, 2012
 45 
Alexei Kosygin
(Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1980)
Alexei Kosygin
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 21, 1904
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: December 18, 1980

Alexei Kosygin was a Soviet-Russian statesman who played an important role during the Cold War. From 1964 to 1980, Kosygin was the Premier of the Soviet Union, a position that enabled him to become one of the most influential policymakers in the Soviet Union during the mid-1960s. Today, Kosygin is considered a prominent figure in both Soviet and Russian history.

 46 
Grigory Sokolov
(Pianist)
Grigory Sokolov
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 18, 1950
Sun Sign: Aries
 47 
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus
(Businesswoman)
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus
4
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: July 1, 1962
Sun Sign: Cancer

Born in Russia, Swiss billionaire Margarita Louis-Dreyfus initially studied law and economics. She became an heir to the agricultural and food-processing commodities giant Louis-Dreyfus group after her husband Robert Louis-Dreyfus’s death. At 53, she became a mother of twins, with her partner Philipp Hildebrand. She was featured on Forbes Billionaires 2021.

 48 
Konstantin Khabensky
(Known for His Portrayal of 'Anton Gorodetsky' in ‘Night Watch’ and ‘Day Watch’)
Konstantin Khabensky
0
Birthdate: January 11, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn

Konstantin Yurievich Khabensky, PAR, counted among the most acclaimed actors in Russia, gained international attention playing protagonist, Anton Gorodetsky in the film Night Watch and its sequel Day Watch. As a theatre actor Khabensky remained part of Saint Petersburg Lensoviet Theatre and is presently associated with Moscow Art Theatre. The Russian war-drama film Sobibor marked the directorial debut of Khabensky.

 49 
Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia
(Grand Duchess of Russia)
Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 29, 1882
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: March 13, 1957

Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia was the youngest child of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia and Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Her marriage was arranged with Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark, and the wedding took place in 1902. The couple had three daughters. The duchess became involved in charity work later in life. 

 50 
Svetlana Kuznetsova
(Russian Professional Tennis Player)
Svetlana Kuznetsova
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 27, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer

Russian tennis star Svetlana Kuznetsova is known for her two Grand Slam wins in both the singles and the doubles categories. She created history by becoming the first Russian to earn a US Open title. She has a star cyclist mother, Galina Tsareva, and an Olympic medalist brother, Nikolay Kuznetsov.