Julia Lemigova, born Yulia Andreevna Lemigova (Russian: Юлия Андреевна Лемигова; born 26 June 1972) is a Russian former model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USSR 1990 and is married to Martina Navratilova. She is a cast member of the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Miami.[1]
Julia Lemigova | |
|---|---|
| Born | Yulia Andreevna Lemigova 26 June 1972 |
| Occupation | Former fashion model |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 (1 deceased) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss USSR 1990 |
| Major competition(s) | Miss USSR 1990 (Winner) Miss Universe 1991 (2nd runner–up) |
Career
editJulia Lemigova is the daughter of a Red Army colonel.[2]
Lemigova was first runner-up at Miss USSR in 1990, elevated to be crowned Miss USSR following the disqualification of the original winner, Maria Kezha, for being underage.
As Miss USSR 1990, Lemigova represented the Soviet Union at the Miss Universe 1991 pageant, where she placed 2nd runner-up.[3][a]
Lemigova moved to Western Europe after being crowned Miss USSR, eventually basing herself in Paris, where she opened her first well-being center, Joiya spa, in 2003, and launched a skincare and spa line, Russie Blanche, in 2009.[5]
In 2021, Lemigova was announced as a cast member on season 4 of The Real Housewives of Miami, making her the first cast member in the history of the Real Housewives franchise to be married to a woman; Lemigova's wife is tennis player Martina Navratilova.[6] Lemigova is the third former Miss Universe finalist to join a Real Housewives franchise after Kenya Moore (Miss USA 1993, Miss Universe 1993 Top 6 Finalist) from Atlanta (seasons 5-10, 12-16) and Joyce Giraud (Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1998, Miss Universe 1998 2nd-Runner-Up) from Beverly Hills (season 4).
In December 2023, Lemigova was scheduled to perform at the Wilton Manors Holiday Spectacular before being uninvited by the Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA) due to her wife Martina Navratilova's views on transgender topics.[7][8][9]
Personal life
editIn 1997, Lemigova became romantically linked to banker Édouard Stern, with whom she had a son, Maximilian, who died of shaken baby syndrome while in the care of a new nanny.[10][11] She has two daughters. Lemigova married her long-term partner former professional tennis player Martina Navratilova in New York on 15 December 2014.[12]
In August 2024, Lemigova and her wife adopted two boys.[13]
Notes
edit- ^ Some media claim that Lemigova was the last Miss USSR before the breakup of the Soviet Union. This is not correct as Ilmira Shamsutdinova was crowned Miss USSR 1991, though she was retitled Miss Russia by the time she arrived at the Miss Universe 1996 competition.[4]
References
edit- ^ Willis, Jackie. "'Real Housewives of Miami' Cast Is Announced With Some Fan Favorites Returning". ET. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ Burrough, Bryan. "The Man in the Latex Suit". Vanity Fair. No. July 2005. p. 122. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ Навратилова создаст семью с участницей конкурса «Мисс Вселенная» от СССР. sport.rbc.ru (in Russian). 7 September 2014.
- ^ MISS USSR[usurped] at pageantopolis.com, accessed 26 September 2014
- ^ "Founder". Russieblanche.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ "'Real Housewives of Miami' reboot includes franchise's 1st lesbian couple". NBC News. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Hayden, John (8 December 2023). "Martina Navratilova & Wife Shunned From Wilton Manors Holiday Event for Anti-trans Rhetoric". Out South Florida. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Hayden, John (22 December 2023). "WMBA Holiday Spectacular Has Riot Over Martina Navratilova". HappeningOut Television Network. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ Singh, Charrvi (9 December 2023). "Controversial Views See Martina Navratilova and Wife Dropped From High-Profile Event as Its Producers Take a Firm Stand". www.msn.com. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Doody, Ben (7 September 2014). "Julia Lemigova: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Mystère autour de la mort du fils caché d'Edouard Stern". Le Parisien (in French). 15 June 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Tennis star Martina Navratilova marries" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Real Housewives of Miami's Julia Lemigova and Wife Martina Navratilova Have Adopted Two Sons". E! Online. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
External links
edit- Russieblanche.com (archived link)