Marinika Smirnova is a Russian-born model, a television presenter, an actress, a business woman and a socialite.
Background
Born in Moscow, the daughter of Elena Kolesnikova, a Soviet gymnast champion, and Evgeniy Smirnov. Via her father"s family line, Marinika is a great niece of Pierre Smirnoff, the famous Russian pre-1917 revolution businessman, one of the famous Smirnoff brothers, who were official suppliers of Smirnoff Vodka to the Court of Emperor Nicholas the World War II
Career
She currently resides in London. A professional dancer since the age of 7, Smirnova started performing since early childhood. She received a master diploma in Gemology from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 2004.
Since the age of 15 Smirnova was a leading performer of the famous "SWEET" dance project, and travelled all over Russia supporting top Russian popular stars.
She was cast in numerous music videos, both as a dancer and as a model. Since the age of 18, Smirnova was signed to Modus Vivendis, a top modelling agency in Moscow.
Smirnova graced the covers of FHM, Gentlemen’s Quarterly, Marie Claire and many other magazines. In 2007, she became a face of nationwide campaign for the mobile phone giant Fly.
Smirnova enjoyed modelling and also enrolled in intensive acting courses with top acting schools in New York and London.
Following her success as Mrs Russia 2008, Smirnova was a presenter on Russian prime time channel television Stolitsa, on the new hit show Barbie and the Barber (Russian version of the French hit series). After moving to London in 2009 Smirnova continued to occasionally work with television Stolitsa in the production of some of their lifestyle television programs, commercials, documentaries and feature films. Already at her move to London Smirnova has firmly establish herself as a Russian television star and socialite.
Smirnova is also known for her stylish designs seen among others at Ascot"s Royal Enclosure.
Foreign her looks and credentials she became one of the leading characters of television show Meet the Russians by Fox television representing rich Russian living in the United Kingdom. The show was aired on BSkyB throughout September - November 2013, with United States of America, Russia and Europe to be followed.