About
Irina Shayk, born Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova on 6 January 1986 in the coal-mining town of Yemanzhelinsk, Russia, rose from local obscurity to global superstardom on the fashion stage. Her breakthrough arrived when she became the first Russian model to grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011, a moment that catapulted her onto runways for Versace, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, and most recently Blumarine’s buzz-worthy Fall/Winter 2025 show at Milan Fashion Week.
Before Fame
Music, not modeling, shaped Irina’s early childhood. She began playing piano at six and spent seven years in music school under her mother Olga’s guidance. Life turned difficult when her Tatar father, Valery, passed away from pneumonia when she was 14, prompting her mother to juggle two jobs. After finishing high school, Irina tried marketing classes but switched to beauty school with her sister Tatiana; there a local scout encouraged her to enter—and ultimately win—the regional Miss Chelyabinsk 2004 contest. That victory convinced the 18-year-old to pursue modeling full-time.
Trivia
- Screen debut: Irina played Megara opposite Dwayne Johnson in the 2014 film Hercules—her first taste of Hollywood.
- Philanthropy: Away from flashbulbs she supports children’s charities, serving as an ambassador for Pomogi.org in Russia and volunteering with Food Bank For New York City during the pandemic.
- Languages & hobbies: She speaks Russian and English, loves classical piano, and enjoys rescuing animals—her bulldog Julius Caesar once accompanied her to photo shoots.
- Industry milestone: Models.com lists her among its “New Supers,” underscoring staying power in a business that often favors newcomers.
Family Life
Irina values privacy but occasionally shares glimpses of life with her daughter Lea De Seine, born 21 March 2017 with actor-director Bradley Cooper. The pair separated in 2019 yet maintain an amicable co-parenting routine in New York City, prioritizing bedtime stories and park strolls over red carpets.
Her earlier high-profile relationship with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo lasted from 2010 to 2015, and she briefly dated Kanye West in 2021. Rumours swirled again in 2023 when she and NFL great Tom Brady were spotted together; reports in early 2025 suggest they are “seeing where things go” after rekindling their spark.
Beyond romance, Irina remains close to her mother and sister, often visiting home to help rebuild hospitals and donate supplies.
Associated With
- Designers & brands: From Intimissimi—her first global campaign in 2007—to Mugler, Ferragamo, and Versace, Irina’s collaborations span luxury labels on every major runway.
- Pop-culture figures: She has shared magazine covers with Gigi Hadid, starred opposite Dwayne Johnson, and appears in music videos for Kanye West and Majid Al Mohandis.
- Fashion friends: Donatella Versace calls her a modern icon, while Anna Wintour regularly features her in Vogue editorials, praising her ability to switch from avant-garde couture to effortless street style.
