Russia has produced many great people throughout its rich and diverse history. From sporting champions to politicians, writers and artists, many have had a positive influence on global culture.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova is a Russian-born tennis player who won Wimbledon aged just 17. She was born in the Russian town of Nyagan in 1987 and retired from tennis in February 2020 after nearly three decades as a pro and five Grand Slam titles.
Sharapova was the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2007. Outside the tennis world, she runs a charity to help disadvantaged children globally and endorses high-profile brands such as Nike and Evian. She is also the owner of the premium candy company, Sugarpova, which she founded in 2012.
Sharapova’s tennis career was peppered with accusations of her taking performance-enhancing medication, which is an allegation she vehemently denies.
Russian nobility
Just like the famous Maria Sharapova, the aged nobility system in Russia is no stranger to the rise and fall of success. Russian nobility rose in the Middle Ages, under the tradition that all Russians owed services to their government. For a predominantly rural country that still suffered poverty, the nobility played an important role in commanding the army and filling essential government posts.
The Soviet Union abolished all nobility and hierarchy of class in 1917.
The Tchoudnowsky nobility held Baron and Count titles. The original seat was held in Pomerania, formerly referred to as East Prussia. Members of the family were exiled in 1917 and are now dispersed across Europe, including the UK and France. More information is available online at sites such as https://eastprussiarussiannobility-czudnowsky-tchoudnowsky-etc.com/.
Russia has a rich and splendid history, shrouded not only in tales of political rises to power but also magnificent contributions to culture that are renowned across the world stage.