Natalia Vodianova
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| Natalia Vodianova | |
| Birth name | Наталья Водянова |
| Date of birth | February 28, 1982 (age 25) |
| Place of birth | Gorky, Russia |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Spouse(s) | Justin Portman |
Natalia Vodianova, The Hon Mrs Portman (Наталья Водянова, born February 28, 1982) is a Russian supermodel.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod), Russia's third largest city, Vodianova had a difficult childhood. Her mother's abusive boyfriends and a tight financial situation dogged her throughout childhood. Having helped her mother with her fruit stall business from the age of 11, Vodianova moved into her own apartment with a friend at 15 and started her own fruit-stall business. She was thus able to help out her sisters, one of whom is disabled.
[edit] Career
At 15 Vodianova enrolled in a modeling academy, and started going to casting opportunities. A scouting agent from Paris told her that she had a great future if only she would learn English quickly. Convinced that her life could change for the better, Vodianova learned English in three months, moved to Paris and signed up with the Viva agency at age 17. Soon, Gucci made her the new face for their perfume line. After working at more than 40 runway shows, she was hired by Calvin Klein's spring show. Around this time she also made a brief appearance in Roman Coppola's film CQ, with Billy Zane.
Vodianova has done campaigns for Louis Vuitton, L'Oreal, Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, Pepe Jeans and Calvin Klein's collection and his fragrance, "Euphoria".
[edit] Personal life
Her partner is British real estate heir, The Honourable Justin Portman, a half-brother of the 10th Viscount Portman. They have a son, Lucas Alexander, born December 22, 2001. On September 1, 2002, Vodianova and Portman married in a lavish ceremony in Saint Petersburg. Their second child, daughter Neva (named after the Russian river Neva) was born on March 24, 2006, weighing 7 pounds. She posed with her baby in Vogue.
Vodianova is also a dedicated philanthropist, an achievement that was honored in the March 2007 issue of Vogue.
[edit] Trivia
- Her husband, Justin Portman is the son of a Viscount and scion of one of Britain's wealthiest real estate families which owns huge swathes of London. He chooses not to use his title.
- She was ranked #16 in Channel 5's "World's greatest supermodel".
- Her husband often travels with her and their children.
- Nickname is "SuperNova".
