Natalia Vodianova, one of the most influential women in Russia and one of the world’s richest top models celebrates her 30th birthday on February 28. She began her head spinning career in her hometown of Nizhny Novgorod, where she sold fruit until the age of 15 to help her mother and two sisters.
Natalia Vodianova was born on February 28, 1982, in Nizhny Novgorod in a family most typically classified as “difficult.” Until seven years old, Natasha lived with her grandmother and mother. After her sister was born with cerebral palsy, her grandmother moved them to a different apartment. So, Natalia lived in a one-room apartment with her mother and her newborn sister in a communal housing complex, a Khrushchev-era building.
A logical continuation of the story about Cinderella, as western journalists called Vodianova, was her meeting with British Lord, painter, and collector Justin Portman. The 19-year-old model and 29-year old aristocrat and one of the wealthiest people in Great Britain met at a private party in Paris.
In 2007, Vodianova said she wanted to give up her modeling career and dedicate more time to her Naked Heart Foundation. The idea to set up a charity organization came to her in 2004, after the tragedy in Beslan. A year later, she established the foundation. The organization is responsible for the construction of children’s playgrounds in different Russian cities and towns.
Natalia regularly comes to Russia to take part in charity and cultural events. She also represents the country at different international ceremonies. Photo: Natalia Vodianova and First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov arrive with the Russian delegation at Messe Zürich exhibition center for the announcement of the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
Vodianova keeps trying new venues. In 2009, she hosted the Moscow Eurovision Contest with Andrei Malakhov, and in 2010 she starred in the film Belle du Seigneur with Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Photo: Eurovision Song Contest 2009 presenters Natalia Vodianova and Andrei Malakhov during a performance in the contest’s second semifinals at Olimpiisky Sports Complex.
