Natalia Vodianova Biography 

Russian model Natalia Vodianova is one of the most successful models in the world today. Transitioning between high end couture and commercial projects, her image has been lent to everyone from Gucci to LOreal.

Natalia Vodianova was born February 28, 1982 in Gorky, Russia. (No longer known as Gorky, the city is currently called Nizhny Novgorod.)

Growing up in extreme adversity, Vodianova not only had to deal with a poor economic situation, but she was also the victim of many of her mother’s abusive boyfriends.

Forced to work as early as age eleven, she helped her mother run her fruit stand. When she was fifteen, however, Vodianova moved to an apartment with a close friend.

Shortly after, she enrolled in modeling school and began attending casting calls. She was spotted by a Parisian scout, who told her she had the looks for modeling but needed English to truly succeed.

Convinced this would be her ticket to success, Vodianova took the next three months and learned English. At the age of seventeen, she moved to Paris and came under contract with Viva Agency.

With a bankable, high end look, Gucci immediately picked her up to front their new perfume campaign. Breaking into the business, she became a staple among runway shows, appearing in as many as forty.

During this time, she also walked in the high profile Calvin Klein spring show as well as taking the role of Brigit in Roman Coppola’s 2001 film CQ. She shared the screen with Jeremy Davies, Angela Lindvall, Gerard Depardieu, Jason Schwartzman, and Billy Zane.

Continuing to increase her demand among the best and brightest of the fashion world, Vodianova has had notable campaigns with Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, LOreal, Miss Sixty, and many more.

She also had a huge boost to her exposure in July of 2007 when she was featured as the sole subject of the Vogue cover. This was particularly monumental seeing as there is an increasing trend for magazines to secure celebrities for the cover in order to sell issues. The only other models to appear on Vogue’s cover alone are Liya Kebede and Linda Evangelista.

Vodianova currently ranks as the seventh highest earning model. The six women that edged her out are (in order) Carolyn Murphy, Alessandra Ambrsio, Adriana Lima, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, and Gisele Bundchen at number one.

In her personal life, Vodianova married Justin Portman on September 1, 2001. Portman is a British real estate heir.

They have three children, Lucas Alexander Portman (born 2001), Neva Portman (born 2006), and Viktor Portman (born 2007).

Outside of modeling, Vodianova has proved herself a noted philanthropist. Her various achievements and dedication on this front were honored in Vogue’s March 2007 issue.