Julia Lemigova Explained

Julia Lemigova
Birth Name:Yulia Andreevna Lemigova
Birth Date:26 June 1972
Birth Place:Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
(now Russia)
Occupation:Former fashion model
Competitions:Miss USSR 1990
(Winner)
Miss Universe 1991
(2nd runner–up)
Miss USSR 1990
Children:5 (1 deceased)

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]

Career

Julia 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]

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.[4]

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.[5] 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-present) 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.[6] [7] [8]

Personal life

In 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.[9] [10] She has two daughters. Lemigova married her long-term partner former professional tennis player Martina Navratilova in New York on 15 December 2014.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Willis . Jackie . 'Real Housewives of Miami' Cast Is Announced With Some Fan Favorites Returning . ET . 29 October 2021.
  2. Burrough . Bryan . The Man in the Latex Suit . Vanity Fair . July 2005 . 18 March 2022 . 122.
  3. News: ru:Навратилова создаст семью с участницей конкурса «Мисс Вселенная» от СССР. http://sport.rbc.ru/article/226677/. sport.rbc.ru. 7 September 2014. ru.
  4. Web site: Founder. Russieblanche.com. 13 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170213210027/http://www.russieblanche.com/boutiqueUS/index.php?route=information%2Finformation&information_id=7. 13 February 2017. live.
  5. Web site: 2021-12-16 . 'Real Housewives of Miami' reboot includes franchise’s 1st lesbian couple . 2024-02-23 . NBC News . en.
  6. Web site: Hayden . John . 2023-12-08 . Martina Navratilova & Wife Shunned From Wilton Manors Holiday Event for Anti-trans Rhetoric . 2024-02-23 . Out South Florida . en-gb.
  7. Web site: Hayden . John . December 22, 2023 . WMBA Holiday Spectacular Has Riot Over Martina Navratilova . February 22, 2024 . HappeningOut Television Network.
  8. Web site: Singh . Charrvi . December 9, 2023 . Controversial Views See Martina Navratilova and Wife Dropped From High-Profile Event as Its Producers Take a Firm Stand . 2024-02-23 . www.msn.com.
  9. News: Doody . Ben . Julia Lemigova: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know . 27 October 2020 . Heavy . 7 September 2014.
  10. News: Mystère autour de la mort du fils caché d'Edouard Stern . 27 October 2020 . Le Parisien . 15 June 2010 . fr.
  11. Web site: Tennis star Martina Navratilova marries. www.bbc.co.uk.