Dasha Zhukova

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Dasha Zhukova

Dasha Zhukova (September 29, 2009)
Born Darya Alexandrovna Zhukova
(1981-06-08) 8 June 1981
Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Nationality Russian
Occupation Unknown
Children

Aaron Alexander Abramovich

Lea Abramovich
Parents Alexander Radkin Zhukov (father)
Elena Zhukova (mother)

Darya "Dasha" Alexandrovna Zhukova (Russian: Дарья Александровна Жукова; born 8 June 1981) is the girlfriend of billionaire Roman Abramovich, whose fortune is widely believed to have been acquired through the use of bribery and insider deals.[1]

Ms. Zhukova is affiliated with a number of organizations based on which she has been described as a "philanthropist, entrepreneur, fashion designer" and magazine editor. However, with the exception of a three-month period with one magazine, none of Ms. Zhukova's organizations appear to have any existence independent of her or Mr. Abramovich.

Biography

Zhukova was born in Moscow in 1981. Her father is Alexander Radkin Zhukov. Mr. Zhukov is the founder of a now-defunct Russian oil company which was involved in illegal sales of arms to the Balkans. Zhukov was ultimately cleared in his personal capacity. Her mother is Elena Zhukova, a Russian scientist who is now retired from UCLA where she taught molecular biology. Her parents split when she was three.[2][3] At the age of 10 she moved with her mother to the United States. Her mother is Jewish and her father is Christian; she says she identifies more with her mother's religion.[4] She lived in Houston, Texas in the early 90s and grew up in Los Angeles, California. Zhukova attended a Jewish day-school in California.[4] She attended Pacific Hills School for high school, and graduated in 1999. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara with degrees in Slavic Studies and Literature. After becoming involved with Mr. Abramovich she returned to Moscow and later moved to London. In 2004, she entered London’s College of Naturopathic Medicine.[3]

Organizations affiliated with Ms. Zhukova include: The IRIS Foundation,[5] the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture in Moscow, a bi-annual publication named "Garage,",[6] fashion label, Kova & T, Art.sy, and New Holland Development (NHD, a Millhouse group company) that on November 15, 2010 won an investment tender held by the city of Saint Petersburg to redevelop historical New Holland Island.[7] Notably, references to the existence and activities of these organizations come principally from each other, and there is no record indicating accomplishments or activities of Ms. Zhukova herself.

In February 2009, Zhukova was appointed editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine Pop. Many in the industry saw her as an unlikely replacement for widely respected launch editor Katie Grand.[2] The experiment lasted three issues, and she resigned from that position in November 2010.[8]

Zhukova is a member of the board of trustees of LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art).[9]

On January 2014, an image of Zhukova sitting on a chair made to look like a half-naked black woman was published on fashion website Buro 24/7. However, the website removed the picture soon after as it sparked a racism row.[10]

Personal life

Her partner is Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch and the main owner of the private investment company Millhouse LLC. The couple have two children: Aaron Alexander, born 3 December 2009 and Leah Lou, born 15 April 2013. (Abramovich has five other children from a previous relationship.)[11]

Her former partner is Marat Safin, the retired former Tennis World Champion Number 1. The couple split late in 2005.

References

  1. ↑ Kennedy, Dominic. Chelsea owner admits billions in bribes", Irish Independent, 5 July 2008, accessed 27 December 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Helmore, Edward (May 26, 2011). "Dasha, Dasha, Dasha". Wall Street Journal. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Dasha Zhukova". Vogue. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sawyer, Miranda (4 October 2009). "Dasha Zhukova: From It Girl to Art Girl". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2011. 
  5. ↑ IRIS Foundation, garageccc.com.
  6. ↑ "W Hotels Worldwide Moscow Fashion Next October 11 - October 25, 2011". Garage Center for Contemporary Culture. 
  7. ↑ "About project". New. 
  8. ↑ Odell, Amy (11 October 2010) Dasha Zhukova Is Leaving Pop – The Cut. Nymag.com. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
  9. ↑ LACMA Board of Trustees, accessed 27 December 2013.
  10. ↑ "Roman Abramovich's girlfriend sparks racism row with 'black woman chair' picture". inside World Soccer. 23 January 2014. 
  11. ↑ Miami Newsday: "Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich celebrates birth of his seventh child, his second with model Daria Zhukova" 14 April 2013

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