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Top 20 Most Famous Russian People

Originally Published by Lynn in October 2021, Updated by Charity K in May 2023 and Updated by Purity M on February 2024

Russia has produced many famous people throughout its long history. Russians have also had a great influence on global culture.

Some of the most famous Russians are known from the Soviet Era to today’s Russia.

This vast country, it is actually the largest country in the world, has produced world champions in sports, politics, entertainment, literature, technology, innovators and several others.  

It was a Russian man who was the first to travel to outer space. Russia was the first country in the world to venture into space travel as well as launch the first man-made satellite.

Here are some of the greatest minds Russia has in our top 10 most famous Russian people.  

1. Vladimir Putin – President

Photo courtesy
of Kremlin.ru – Wikimedia

Putin is without a doubt the most famous Russian. He has been the Russian president since 1999.

As one of the most famous politicians in the world, he has amazed many by how he manages to stay in shape despite his busy schedule running the country.

His love for nature, hockey, and judo must be behind his perfect physique. Putin loves pets and at one point he was gifted two puppies by another famous president.

On matters of leadership, Putin is said to be daring, has an attractive personality, and always conducts himself in a self-assured manner.    

Several movie producers and songwriters have drawn inspiration from this influential leader of Russian culture and politics.

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2. Maria Sharapova – Athlete

Photo by Misty – Wikimedia

We all know this 5-time Grand Slam title holder, Maria Sharapova. She was born in 1987, in a town called Nyagan.

Sharapova started her professional tennis career in 2001. This was when she started playing on the WTA tour.

She is considered to be the most famous Russian tennis player in the history of the sport. In 2005, she was the number one tennis player in the world at the tender age of 18.

Her career as a professional tennis player ran for 19 years. During that time, she won 5 Grand Slam titles. She was also the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations in 2007.   

She runs a charity foundation that donates money to help needy children all over the world.

3. Mikhail Baryshnikov – Classical dancer

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Mikhail was born in 1948 in Riga which is modern-day Latvia. He is considered to be one of the most influential classical dancers of the 1970s and 80s.

Baryshnikov started dance classes at the age of 12 while in his hometown, Riga. In pursuit of being the best in dancing, Mikhail decamped to Canada in 1974. A year later, he was featured in Arena, a BBC Tv series.

He became the main dancer with the American Ballet Theatre for a period of 4 years.

Mikhail later worked as an artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre and the White Oak Dance Project.

4. Helen Mirren – Actress

Helen is among the most hyped actresses in the United Kingdom and the United States. Her birth name was Ilynea Lydia Mironoff, born to English and Russian parents.

She comes from a noble Russian family; her grandmother was a diplomat in London. Her grandmother, Pyotr Minorov remained in Britain after the Bolshevik Revolution broke out.     

Helen Mirren is best remembered for her role as Detective Jane Tennison on the television series Prime Suspect (1991–96, 2003, and 2006). She also acted as Elizabeth II in the show The Queen.

5. Regina Spektor- Actress

Photo by Eric Skiff – Wikimedia

Regina Spektor is a talented pianist and singer who fell in love with art at the age of 7. Her family moved to New York in 1989 and they looked for a teacher who could offer free lessons.

She began her lessons in songwriting which led to the release of her first album 11:11 in 2001. Her career peaked and great success followed after.

As an excellent piano player, Regina also plays the guitar as her secondary instrument.  

Spektor rarely writes her songs down. She has sung in different languages and attributes that to her immigration story.

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6. Pyotr Tchaikovsky – Composer

Here is another famous Russian classical music composer. His parents had hoped he would be a civil servant when he grew up.

Tchaikovsky’s style diverged from the accepted rules of Western classical music.

Despite this, he was able to amass great success beyond Russia’s borders. He made a name for himself in Europe and the United States.

His fans were not only classical music lovers and critics but also those with little knowledge about the music.

Pyotr’s most famous works are Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. His work continues to dominate modern ballet productions.   

As a composer of the Romantic era, Pyotr’s composition has remained relevant for more than a century.

7. George Sanders –Actor

George Sanders was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is a celebrated English film and television actor, songwriter, composer, and author.

His family escaped Russia during the unrest that followed the Russian Revolution in 1917. They settled in England where he went to school.

Sanders got a job at an advertising agency and while there met Greer Garson, an actress. She saw potential in him and encouraged him to be an actor.

The movie Lloyd’s of London was his first film in 1936. After the release of the movie, he got the attention of many for his posh accent and smooth demeanor.

He was the most sought-after actor in Hollywood for several years. There are a couple of stars bearing his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

8. Maya Plisetskaya – Ballerina

Photo by RIA Novosti – Wikimedia

Maya Plisetskaya, a ballerina is known for her swan-like arms, powerful leaps and rebel spirit on and off the stage. She lived to the ripe age of 89 when she died after suffering from a heart attack.

Her career started early on and was often faced with strong anti-Semitic sentiment as a Jewish dancer.

As her career was peaking and garnering international audience attention, the Soviet government banned her from going on an international tour for fear she may defect.

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev came to her rescue and she was able to go on the international tour.

She remains to be the central figure in the history of classical dance and a true Russian star.

9. Yuri Gagarin – Astronaut

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He got into the history books as the first man to venture into outer space.

This was such a great milestone for Russia since they were competing with the United States in the Space Race. Yuri’s capsule, Vostok 1, completed one orbit of planet Earth in April 1961.

Upon his safe return to Earth, Yuri became very popular locally and internationally. He went on international tours as a symbol of Soviet great achievements in space exploration.  

Gagarin toured Great Britain, Canada, Germany Brazil, Japan, and Egypt among other countries.

10. Lev Tolstoy – Writer

Photo by Sergei Prokudin – Wikimedia

Lev, a celebrated author, wrote about human feelings and purpose in an elegant style no other writer comes close to.

He is with no doubt the most prominent scribe in the history of Russian literature.

His classic novel, War and Peace, is said to be among the greatest books ever written. The book continues to inspire new interpretations.

One thing that stands out about Lev’s work is that it guides his readers on how to live a good life.

Tolstoy was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature for 4 consecutive years (1902-1906). He was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 3 times.

11. Alexander Ovechkin- Ice Hockey Player

Alexander is known as the Great Eight which references his jersey number. He is one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time.

He is the third NHL player to score 800 goals in the regular season. Alexander has represented Russia in multiple international tournaments.

He won a gold medal at the World Junior Championship. He played the first senior tournament at the 2004 World Championship. In the same year, he played in the World Cup that year.

12. Joseph Stalin- Politician

Joseph, known for being a political theorist and revolutionary, led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. 

He held power as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union. 

Joseph is considered to be one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. He retained popularity in Russia as a victorious wartime leader who cemented the Soviet Union’s status as a leading world power.

13. Alexander Solzhenitsyn- Author

, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alexander was an outspoken critic of communism and helped raise global awareness of political repression in the Soviet Union.

In 1970, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature. However, for political reasons, he couldn’t receive the prize until 1974.

Some of the books he has authored include Cancer Ward, In the First Circle, August 1914, and November 1916.

Alexander also helped raise global awareness of political repression in the Soviet Union.

14. Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin was one of the most infamous figures in Russian history. Born a Siberian peasant, he rose to prominence as a self-proclaimed mystic and healer. Through his charisma and alleged ability to ease the suffering of Alexei, the hemophiliac son of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra, Rasputin became a highly influential figure in the Russian Imperial Court.

His meteoric rise to power within the waning years of the Romanov dynasty made him a figure of both awe and contempt. Rumors persisted that Rasputin held undue influence over the Tsarina and dabbled in dark, unholy practices.

These scandals, along with his reputation as a womanizer, tarnished the Romanov dynasty’s image and became a flashpoint for dissent. Rasputin’s mysterious life and scandalous reputation continue to fascinate people to this day, making him a legendary and notorious figure in Russian history.

15. Roman Abramovich- Politician

Roman is the former owner of Chelsea, a Premier League football club in London, England. He was formerly the Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug from 2000 to 2008. 

Roman enriched himself in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is noted that he had a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Forbes, he has a net worth was US $14.5 billion in 2021. This makes Roman the 137th richest man in the world but the second richest person in Israel.

16. Alexei Nalvany

Alexei Navalny (1976-2024) is a prominent figure in recent Russian history. He gained international recognition for his outspoken criticism of President Vladimir Putin and his government, primarily focusing on allegations of corruption within the regime. A lawyer and anti-corruption activist, Navalny established himself as a leading figure in the Russian opposition movement, advocating for political reform and democratic ideals.

 His activities and pronouncements sparked significant controversy, including an assassination attempt by poisoning in 2020. After being imprisoned upon his return to Russia, Navalny died on February 16, 2024 under disputed circumstances. Supporters praise his courage and commitment to fighting corruption, while critics raise concerns about his methods and past associations.

17. Peter the Great (1672-1725)

This forward-thinking Tsar modernized Russia, transforming it into a major European power. He founded St. Petersburg and built a formidable navy. Crowned Tsar at 17, Peter embarked on a relentless modernization program, transforming Russia from a largely isolated state into a major European power. He established St. Petersburg as a “window to the West,” embracing Western technology, art, and customs. He also built a formidable navy, securing Russia’s access to the Baltic Sea.

18. Catherine the Great (1729-1796)

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 A cunning and ambitious empress, Catherine expanded Russia’s empire, fostered cultural achievements, and wielded significant influence in European politics. Ascended to power through a palace coup, this remarkable empress ruled for over 30 years, becoming one of Russia’s longest-reigning monarchs. She oversaw territorial expansion, patronized the arts and sciences, and engaged in sophisticated diplomacy, earning the moniker “the Great” for her contributions. However, her legacy remains complex, as her reign also involved the brutal suppression of dissent.

19. Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)

The leading figure of the Bolshevik Revolution, Lenin founded the Soviet Union and espoused a revolutionary Marxist ideology that drastically altered the 20th century. A key figure in the 20th century, Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, establishing the world’s first communist state – the Soviet Union. His Marxist ideology and vision of a socialist state influenced global politics for decades. However, his legacy remains contested, with some praising his revolutionary spirit and others condemning the authoritarianism that followed.

20. Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 Mastering the art of psychological realism, Dostoevsky‘s novels, like “Crime and Punishment” and “The Brothers Karamazov,” explored complex themes of morality, faith, and the human condition. His characters grapple with inner struggles, societal pressures, and philosophical questions, offering readers a profound and unsettling glimpse into the darkest corners of the human experience.

Dostoevsky’s writing style was characterized by intense dialogue, dramatic internal monologues, and a keen observation of human behavior. His works, though sometimes controversial, continue to be critically acclaimed and deeply impactful, influencing generations of writers and sparking ongoing discussion about the human spirit and the meaning of existence.

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