Ukrainian-born Russian ballet dancer, the subject of this biography, was born in Lutsk, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1979 to Ukrainian parents. She began her ballet training at the tender age of 10, studying at the Kyiv Choreographic College from 10 to 16 years old. This initial training laid the foundation for her future success, as she went on to secure a second prize at the International Young Dancers' Competition of St. Petersburg in 1995.
Following this achievement, she entered the prestigious Vaganova Academy, where she made history by skipping two grades and passing directly to the final class directed by Yelena Yevteyeva. Upon graduation in 1996, she joined the renowned Mariinsky Ballet, taking on the role of Maria in Rostislav Zakharov's "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai". Her exceptional talent and dedication earned her the appointment as Prima Ballerina just one year later, at the tender age of 18.
In 2003, she left the Mariinsky Ballet to become the étoile of the Bolshoi Ballet, following a longstanding offer and the personal invitation from Vladimir Vasiliev. Her coach during this period was the renowned Ludmilla Semenyaka. Since 1999, she has danced with the most prestigious ballet companies across the globe, participating in various cultural events, including the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014: XXII Olympic Winter Games.
As a principal guest artist, she has worked with top ballet companies in Milan, London, Vienna, New York, Munich, Rio, Hamburg, and Tokyo, starting from l'Opéra de Paris in 2009. In 2008, she made history by becoming the first non-Italian étoile at La Scala of Milan. In addition to her illustrious career as a dancer, she is also a member of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art and served one term in the Russian parliament from 2008 to 2012.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and accolades, including the special prizes "Our Hope" and "People of Our City" in Saint Petersburg, a "Golden Sophit" and a "Golden Mask" for "Serenade" and "Sleeping Beauty" in 1999-2000; a Danza & Danza 2002 award in Italy; two "Benois de la danse" for the roles of Titania in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (2005) and Marie in Bolshoi Ballet: The Lady of the Camellias (2015). She has also been honored with the title of "Artist Emeritus of the Russian Federation" and "People's Artist of Russia" in 2008, as well as other dance magazine prizes, including "Soul of Dance" and "Queen of the Dance".
