Jeremy Meeks (Born In 1984) – Washington, America.

Talk about turning over a new leaf! Jeremy Ray Meeks, a former member of a street gang called Crips, is now a favorite of the fashion and entertainment industries. After his arrest in 2014 and conviction on federal felony charges, he served time in Mendota Federal Correctional Institution until his release in March 2016.

Upon his release, Meek transitioned into fashion modeling. The thousands of likes and comments on his mugshot on Facebook from many women smitten by his good looks might’ve had something to do with it. And just a year after his release, he made his runway debut for Philipp Plein.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (Born In 1988) – Sildi, Russia

A long-reigning champion of the UFC Lightweight category, Nurmagomedov had an outstanding career as a fighter. He officially began his fighting career in 2008 and was active until 2020. He recorded 29 wins without any losses and remained undefeated until his retirement.

Some of the fighting styles used by the former wrestler include judo, sambo, and wrestling. He used orthodox methods all through his career. Nurmagomedov is a polyglot and an avid football fan. In 2021, he surprised his fans by switching to professional soccer to play for the Russian team, FC Legion Dynamo.

Maria Sharapova (Born In 1987) – Nyagan, Russia

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova is a Russian citizen who has a permanent residency in the United States. The former world number one tennis champion has competed in numerous championships during her career. She competed in the Women’s Tennis Association Tour for two decades and has been named number one in singles five different times.

Sharapova has won 36 titles and is the only female Russian to hold the position as champion. In 2017, she published her autobiography titled “Unstoppable. My Life So Far.” Sharapova retired in 2020 after five grand slam titles.

Irina Shayk (Born In 1986) – Yemanzhelinsk, Russia

Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova is an iconic actress and vogue figure, popularly known as Irina Shayk. Shayk got her time in the spotlight in 2011, when she appeared as the first Russian model on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2014, she was nominated for the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards in the Woman of the Year category, which she won.

She has a daughter with actor Bradley Cooper, but the couple split in 2019. The award-winning vogue icon is also a philanthropist and an ambassador for the Food Bank in New York.

Irina Shayk (Born In 1986) – Yemanzhelinsk, Russia

Regina Spektor got her big break in the music scene when she self-released her first three records. She became more mainstream when she signed to Sire Records in 2014. The multi-talented artist plays the piano as her primary instrument and plays the guitar as her secondary one. She is also an accomplished songwriter and still produces some of her songs.

Some of the acclaimed singer’s songs are also used in shows and commercials. In 2020, her song “One Little Soldier” from the album Bombshell was nominated for the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards.

Garry Kasparov (Born In 1963) – Azerbaijani, Russia

A political activist and commentator, Garry Kasparov is also a Grandmaster and former world chess champion. After becoming the youngest champion in 1985 at the age of 22, Kasparov held this title for 255 months. He attained a peak rating of 2851 in 1999 until he was overthrown in 2013.

Kasparov has been married three times and is currently wedded to his wife, Daria. He is also an accomplished author with many publications under his belt. In 2020, he was consulted for the making of the Netflix limited series “The Queen’s Gambit.”

Anna Kournikova (Born In 1981) – Moscow, Russia

Anna Kournikova is a former Russian tennis player and television personality. She began her professional career in 1995 and retired in 2003. Before her retirement, Kournikaova went on to win several double tournaments during her active years. Although she never won a singles title, she went on to win doubles tournaments with her partner, like the Grand Slam doubles in 1999 and 2002.

The former tennis star has three children with singer Enrique Iglesias. Aside from tennis, she has also been seen on TV and in 2010 was on NBC’s show “The Biggest Loser.” In 2011, she was also hosted on the show “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”

Roman Abramovich (Born In 1966) – Saratov, Russia

He is popularly known as the Russian who owns the Premier League football club, Chelsea F.C. However; Roman Abramovich is more than just a football club owner; he is also a businessman and a Russian oligarch. In 2019, his net worth was estimated to be about $12.9 billion by Forbes. He is a citizen of three countries, Israel, Russia, and Portugal.

He has been married and separated three times and has seven children from two marriages. Abramovich is also a philanthropist as he is known to have made generous donations of over $500 million to Jewish causes in different parts of the world.

Denís Chéryshev (Born In 1990) – Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Making his debut as a reserve in Real Madrid in 2009, Cheryshev has made his mark as a well-recognized professional player. He plays for the Spanish football club Valencia CF and also plays for his country’s national team. In 2019, he was signed to Valencia at the price of €6 million.

May 2021 was a highlight in Cheryshev’s career as he was drafted into the preliminary 30-man squad for the Euro 2020 and included in the final squad. Playing as a left-winger for Valencia, he’s spent a significant part of his career in the Spanish La Liga.

Helen Mirren (Born In 1945) – London, United Kingdom

A woman of many achievements, Helen Mirren, has made her mark in the movie industry. She is the only known actor to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting in the U.K and the United States. In 1975, she made her debut at the West End stage and has achieved success ever since.

In 2021, she was part of a music video called “La Vacinada” for the Italian comedian and singer Checco Zalone. She has received numerous awards, including the British Academy Film Award, Tony Award, British Academy Television Award, among many other awards.

Andréi Kirilenko (Born In 1981) – Izhevsk, Russia

At the age of 15, Kirilenko got an early career start. He began playing at the Russian Super Basketball League and has since gone on to play in more prominent leagues. In 2015, he announced his retirement from playing basketball professionally and went on to become the commissioner of the Russian Basketball Federation.

He is married to the Russian pop star Masha Lapatova, who is popularly known as MaLo. The couple has four children together, three sons and a daughter. He is also a writer, producer, and director of the documentary “Technostorks.”

Timofey Mozgov (Born In 1986) – Saint Petersburg, Russia

Timofey Mozgov is a professional Russian basketball player who has played for a few notable teams. Before his big break, he began his career at LenVo St. Petersburg in the 2004/05 season. He then moved on and has played for teams such as the New York Nicks in 2010, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Brooklyn Nets.

In 2021, he joined the Runa Basket Moscow to play in the Russian Basketball Super League 1. He won the NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 and remains one of the first Russians to do so. Mozgov keeps his personal life private, so not much is known about him outside the court.

Alexander Ovechkin (Born In 1985) – Moscow, Russia

Notably considered one of the greatest hockey goal scorers of all time, Ovi, as Alexander Ovechkin is popularly called, is a well-known ice hockey star. He plays as a left-winger for the Washington Capitals and also serves as the team’s captain. His career began at Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague, where he played for four seasons.

Ovechkin is married to Nastya Shubskaya, and the coupé has two sons together. In 2021, he was close to obtaining his Doctor of Sciences in Pedagogical Sciences. He has been given many awards and honors, including the Order of Honor by his country, Russia.

Natalia Vodianova (Born in 1982) Gorky, Russia

Natalia Vodianova’s story is a typical example of rags to riches. From a small district in the city of Novgorod, Russia, she became one of the world’s most famous models. Vodianova was just 17 when she started her career. By 2012, she had become one of the world’s highest-earning supermodels.

Her elegant looks and philanthropic acts have earned her the nickname “Supernova.” Our Supernova has been working her heart out to fulfill her childhood dream to support children through her non-profit foundation. In 2021, she was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Population Fund.

Mila Kunis (Born in 1983)- Kyiv, Ukraine

“70s Show” served as a starting point for Mila Kunis to become one of the most popular stars in Hollywood. While we could assume luck fetched her a role in the “70s show” even though she was below the age limit, her determination and giant-sized talent have kept her in the industry and earned her several awards and nominations.

Decades later, the little girl who began acting at an early age has evolved to be one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. In 2022, she starred in the Netflix series “Luckiest Girl Alive.”

Milla Jovovich (Born in 1975) – Kerv, Ukraine

Have you heard of the slogan “A woman of multiple talents”? Milla Jovovich fits that description. From being a model to becoming an actress, Jovovich can be found in almost every industry sector, including music. She had started her acting and modeling career by the time she was ten.

Known for movies like “Return to the Blue Lagoon,” “The Fifth Element,” and the Residential Evil franchise, she’s bagged several awards and nominations in her career. Having found a new passion in the world, she was featured in a runway show in 2021.

Vera Farmiga (Born in 1973) – New Jersey, USA

Vera Farmiga’s outstanding talent and performance have depicted that there is no such thing as a minor role. She has proved that there is no genre she can’t do well in. Her debut role in the movie “Up in the Air” made Farmiga a household name and one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood.

With such consistent performances in all her roles, it’s no surprise she’s won awards and Oscar nominations. In 2022, she appeared In “Bad Bloom” and as well as mystery thriller “The Salamander Lives Twice.”

Andriy Shevchenko (Born in 1992) – Dvirkivshchyna, Ukrainian SSR

If you are a football lover, the name Andry Schevchenko will ring a bell. Who would forget the AC Milan legend? He was the first player to score four goals away from home In the 2005 Uefa Championship league. He began his career in football at the age of 13, representing Dinamo Kyiv’s youth team, and even won an award for his talents.

Shevchenko’s football journey did not end in Ac Milan, as he also played for Chelsea and Ukraine’s national team. Having quit playing professional football, he led his country to a Euros quarter-final in 2020 as a coach.

Nikita Krylov (Born in 1992)- Luhansk, Ukraine

Nicknamed ‘the miner,’ a nickname born out of respect to his hometown (Donetsk, a city filled with miners), Nikita Krylov was able to achieve his childhood dream through hard work and dedication. At 21, the Ukrainian heavyweight became the youngest fighter on the UFC roster.

Being a professional since 2012, Krylov has bagged 27 wins through 35 matches. He made do with what he had, and though inevitably there were multiple hurdles along the way, he has made quite the mark in Europe. As of 2022, he was ranked number 16 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Alex Len (Born in 1993)- Antratsyt, Ukraine

Since 2013, Alex Len has signed with multiple teams across several seasons. Before that, the Ukrainian professional basketballer was primarily a college star. Having started playing basketball at 13, he was called up to the national team at the under-16 level.

In the 2013 NBA Draft, Len was selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns. His professional growth has been commendable such that he was named to play for the Ukraine national basketball team for the first time at the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2019. After leaving the Sacramento Kings for almost a year, Len rejoined them in 2021.

Oleksander Zinchenko (Born in 1996) – Radomyshl, Ukraine

Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Manchester City in 2016 from the Russian side, Football Club Ufa. The Ukrainian professional footballer was on loan to PSV Eindhoven, where he played for a short time, a period he described as an unpleasant time in his career.

Things started to pick up when he returned to Man City and made his debut in 2017. Zinchenko’s brilliance was displayed in an outstanding performance in the 2019 Carabo Cup Final against Chelsea. He was also part of the Manchester City starting 11 in the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea.

Olga Kurylenko (Born in 1979) Berdyansk, Ukraine

The Ukraine-born French model turned actress has a story, unlike most stars. Though not born into an affluent family, she worked hard and got her reward. After seven years of musical school and ballet classes, she started her career at the age of 13.

Kurylenko was scouted as a young talent in Moscow and introduced into the modeling world. Here she went through training, studied French, and by age 16, was ready to dive into the movie industry. Now a world-famous star, she has starred in at least 34 movies and speaks seven languages. In 2021, she starred in “Fox Hunt.”

Anna Butkevich (Born in 1985) Dnipro, Ukraine

You don’t necessarily need to study theatre arts to be a successful actor. Even a law graduate like Anna Butkevich can have a flourishing acting career. In 2016, she made her first debut in cinema as an actress, starring in the movie “Future in the past.”

Her outstanding talents have made her a rich actress. Her hard work and talent have also earned an Oscar nomination. Butkevich has been in “Legacy of Lies,” which remains a popular movie despite having chiefly average ratings. Butkevich was also featured in the 2021 movie “De hroshi.”

Vasyl Lomachenko (Born In 1988) – Bilhorod-Dnistrovs’kyi, Ukraine

Vasyl Lomachenkois considered one of the most successful professional amateur boxers of his generation. He plays in three categories and has attained success in all three boxing classes. He won the Ring magazine lightweight title in 2020, among many other titles. Not many people can boast of 396 wins and one loss throughout their career, but Lomachenko has set this record.

He is married to Olena, and the couple has two children together. His father, Anatoly Lomachenko, trains the superfast former lightweight champion. Lomachenko has revealed he gets his inspiration for his fighting styles from legends like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Roy Jones Jr.

Oksana Baiul (Born In 1977) – Dnipro, Ukraine

Setting a record, Oksana Baiul remains the first and only Ukrainian to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. The retired figure skater had an outstanding career, also going on record as the first Olympic champion of independent Ukraine in any sport. Although she faced complications after her move to the U.S in 1994, she was able to get her career back on track.

The renowned figure skater is married to her manager Carlos Farina and gave birth to their daughter in 2015. She has also had some media representation, briefly appearing in the movie “I, Tonya” in 2017.

Fedor Emelianenko (Born In 1976) – Rubizhne, Ukraine

A man of many talents, Fedor Emelianenko, has won applause in several sports. He is mainly known for his career in Mixed Martial Arts and has held the Pride Fighting Championships as the heavyweight champion between 2003-2007. Emelianenko uses the sambo and judo fighting style while using an orthodox stance.

Aside from competing actively as an athlete, he was appointed as a staff member of Russia’s Presidential Council on Physical Fitness & Sports in 2012. He has also served as a deputy at Belgorod Regional Duma since 2010. In 2021, he was ranked as number three in the Bellator Heavyweight Rankings.

Anna Semenovich (Born In 1980) – Moscow, Russia

Anna Semenovich was once a competitive ice-dancer but has moved on to other career paths. She has taken on acting, singing, and modeling as new career ventures. Before this, she won the Finlandia Trophy twice with her then-partner, Vladimir Fedorov. She also went on to compete in other notable tournaments before retiring due to injury in 2001.

Semenovich was part of the singing group, Blestyashchiye but left in 2007 to pursue her solo career. She has also appeared in a few films, and in 2012 she was cast in the movie “Rzhevsky versus Napoleon.”

Viktor Rashnikov (Born In 1948) – Magnitogorsk, Russia

A businessman with billions to his name, Viktor Rashnikov has made his fortune in the iron and steel industry. He is the majority share owner in one of the world’s leading steel companies, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works. The Russian oligarch is married and has two daughters.

Aside from being an executive at an iron and steel company, Rashnikov owns the Russian ice hockey team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He took over the team in 2003, and ever since, the team has worked up the ranks as one of the most reputable Russian teams. He has also made TV appearances and was featured in “Conversation with Vladimir Putin: To Be Continued” in 2009.

Alla Pugacheva (Born In 1949) – Moscow, Russia

Alla Borisovna Pugacheva is a famous musical performer who began her career in 1965. The music icon is the most successful Soviet musician in terms of fame and recorded sales. She has sung over 500 songs available in different languages such as Hebrew, English, French, and Ukrainian, among other languages. With songs being released in Japan, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, and other countries, Pugacheva is considered an international performer.

Not many people can be awarded as a living legend in their lifetime, but Pugacheva was conferred with this award in 1994. The famous performer has been married five times and has three children from two of her marriages.

Ksenia Sobchak (Born In 1981) – Saint Petersburg, Russia

A socialite and public figure, Ksenia Sobchak, has risen up the ranks in terms of her family’s political standing. Sobchak was part of the Civic Initiative political party and was presented as the party’s 2018 Russian presidential election candidate. This made her the youngest Russian presidential candidate in history at the age of 36.

Before entering politics, she was a host of the show called “Dom-2” but left in 2012 due to the contradiction with her political stance. She has also hosted numerous other shows such as “Last Hero-6” and “Freedom of Thought” on Channel 5. In 2019, she married theatre director Konstantin Bogomolov.

Andrei Konchalovsky (Born In 1937) – Moscow, Russia

Coming from a family of creatives, it’s no surprise Andrei Konchalovsky has attained this much success in the film industry. He has worked in Hollywood, contemporary Russian, and Soviet cinema as a filmmaker and director. His artistic field ranges from motion pictures documentaries to telefilms and stage productions.

Konchalovsky has been married five times and has six children from four marriages. In 2020, he directed a movie that has been termed one of his masterpieces, “Dear Comrades!” He has also been given many awards and honors both from the state and the movie industry.

Viktoriya Dov (Born In 1992) – Sevastopol, Ukraine

Viktoriya Dov is a Ukrainian-born actress, writer, and producer. The actress is popularly known to the world for her lead role in the movie “Black Antenna.” She has also appeared in other films, such as “Doomsday Device,” which was released in 2017.

Besides being a movie star, Dov is reported to know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She is also a fashion icon, having graced various red carpets and magazine covers. Proving to be a woman of many hidden talents, she’s also adept at drawing. In 2020, she starred in the movie “Every Last One of Them.”

Natalya Sumska (Born In 1945) – Katyuzhanka, Ukraine

Natalya Sumska is a Ukrainian-born actress that has made her mark in her country’s film industry. She is an actress in theatre and cinemas and also works as a television hostess. To celebrate her contribution to the movie industry, Sumska was awarded the Shevchenko National Prize in 2008 and the People’s Artist of Ukraine in 2000.

The renowned actress is married to a fellow actor and has two children with her husband, a son and a daughter. In 2020, she won the Golden Dziga award for best-supporting actress for the movie “Chornyy Voron.”