Ballerina Anastasia Volochkova. Biography

Ballerina Anastasia Volochkova reported serious health problems on July 14 due to excessive exertion after surgery on her leg. However, the next day, she denied media reports about her emergency hospitalization, explaining that it was a routine checkup. About her career, scandals and personal life — in the material of "Izvestia".

Early years and education

Anastasia Yurievna Volochkova was born on January 20, 1976 in Leningrad. His father is an international master of sports in table tennis, Yuri Volochkov, and his mother is an engineer, Tamara Antonova.

She made the decision to become a ballerina after watching the play "The Nutcracker". Upon admission to the choreographic college, her data was considered insufficient, but choreographer Konstantin Sergeev gave the girl a chance.

Natalia Dudinskaya became Volochkova's mentor. She graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet with honors, making her debut on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater while still studying.

Career as a ballerina

Since 1994, Volochkova has become a soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre, performing the main roles in "Swan Lake", "Giselle", "Don Quixote", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Corsair". She toured all over the world with the theater troupe.

In 1998, the ballerina was invited to the Bolshoi Theatre, where she made her debut as the Swan Princess in "Swan Lake" directed by Vladimir Vasiliev. In 2002, Volochkova was awarded the Ballet Benoit Award in the Best Dancer category. In the same year, she was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Russia.

In 2003, a conflict broke out between Volochkova and the management of the Bolshoi Theater. The new director, Anatoly Iksanov, refused to renew her contract, citing the fact that the ballerina allegedly did not meet the physical requirements due to her height and weight, and it was impossible for her to find a partner. Volochkova sued and was reinstated in the state, but the conflict continued. The court found the dismissal illegal, but it did not help. Volochkova believes that the influential oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, with whom she broke up shortly before her dismissal, is behind the harassment in the theater and the dismissal.

In 2004, she lost the lawsuit and left the Bolshoi Theater. From 2004 to 2009, the ballerina performed at the Krasnodar Ballet Theater of Yuri Grigorovich. In 2006, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of Karachay-Cherkessia. Since 2005, Volochkova has been performing solo projects, participating in TV shows and acting in films.

Personal life

Volochkova had many high-profile affairs, but she was not officially married. One of the most significant was the affair with businessman Kerimov, which lasted three years. He gave her expensive gifts and offered to marry her, but she refused, not wanting to become a second wife.

Businessman Igor Vdovin became the next chosen one. In 2005, the couple had a daughter, Ariadne, and in 2007 they married, but the marriage was not officially registered, and a year later the couple broke up. Ariadna lived with her father for a long time, then moved into her own apartment and now earns money by teaching languages.

At various times, Volochkova was credited with having affairs with Nikolai Baskov, Nikita Dzhigurda and Jim Carrey. In 2024, her relationship with the bath attendant Sergey Kuznetsov was discussed.

Injury and hospitalization

In February 2026, Volochkova underwent surgery to remove a bone in her leg at a clinic in Germany. Despite the strict orders of doctors about the need for long rest and smooth rehabilitation, the ballerina returned to the stage too early, having performed 25 concerts. The logical result was that during a routine check-up at the N.N. Priorov Central Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, she was diagnosed with a muscle tear, a serious hematoma and inflammation.

On July 14, 2026, Volochkova announced her condition on social media, posting a photo with a bruise on her leg. However, the next day, she denied media reports of an emergency hospitalization, explaining that it was a routine checkup.

The ballerina noted that doctors recommend that she take a creative break and temporarily abandon performances, as there is a risk of serious complications. Volochkova's next performance is scheduled for July 24.