Russian history is shaped by extraordinary women who excelled in politics, science, and the arts. This list honors those whose legacies continue to influence global culture and society today.
The 100 Most Famous Russian Women of All Time
| No. | Name | Occupation / Why Famous |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catherine the Great | Empress of Russia; longest-reigning female leader |
| 2 | Anna Pavlova | Prima ballerina; famous for Creating The Dying Swan |
| 3 | Valentina Tereshkova | Cosmonaut; first woman in space |
| 4 | Maria Sharapova | Tennis player; five-time Grand Slam champion |
| 5 | Anna Akhmatova | Modernist poet; author of Requiem |
| 6 | Sofia Kovalevskaya | Mathematician; first female professor in Northern Europe |
| 7 | Olga of Kiev | Regent of Kievan Rus’; first Russian saint |
| 8 | Empress Elizabeth | Empress of Russia; founded Moscow University |
| 9 | Maria Shkanova | Alpine ski racer |
| 10 | Alexandra Kollontai | Revolutionary and diplomat; first female ambassador |
| 11 | Marina Tsvetaeva | Poet; major figure of 20th-century Russian literature |
| 12 | Galina Ulanova | Prima ballerina assoluta of the Bolshoi Theatre |
| 13 | Maya Plisetskaya | Ballet dancer and choreographer |
| 14 | Natalia Goncharova | Avant-garde artist and painter |
| 15 | Nadezhda Krupskaya | Revolutionary and wife of Vladimir Lenin |
| 16 | Yelena Isinbayeva | Pole vaulter; multiple Olympic gold medalist |
| 17 | Lyudmila Pavlichenko | Sniper; most successful female sniper in history |
| 18 | Vera Mukhina | Sculptor; created Worker and Kolkhoz Woman |
| 19 | Zinaida Serebriakova | Renowned painter of the Silver Age |
| 20 | Inna Churikova | Acclaimed stage and film actress |
| 21 | Maria Skobtsova | Nun and member of the French Resistance |
| 22 | Galina Vishnevskaya | Renowned opera soprano |
| 23 | Tatyana Tarasova | Figure skating coach; led athletes to 11 gold medals |
| 24 | Irina Rodnina | Figure skater; three-time Olympic gold medalist |
| 25 | Maria Bochkareva | Soldier; formed the Women’s Battalion of Death |
| 26 | Anna Netrebko | Operatic soprano |
| 27 | Faina Ranevskaya | Iconic stage and film actress |
| 28 | Elena Fedorova | Diver and Olympic athlete |
| 29 | Olga Korbut | Gymnast; four-time Olympic gold medalist |
| 30 | Svetlana Savitskaya | Cosmonaut; first woman to perform a spacewalk |
| 31 | Lyubov Popova | Constructivist painter and designer |
| 32 | Varvara Stepanova | Artist and leading figure of the Russian avant-garde |
| 33 | Alexandra Exter | Painter and theatrical designer |
| 34 | Natalia Kuchinskaya | Gymnast; 1968 Olympic champion |
| 35 | Maria Yermolova | Famous dramatic actress of the Maly Theatre |
| 36 | Lydia Litvyak | Fighter pilot; “White Lily of Stalingrad” |
| 37 | Sofia Gubaidulina | Contemporary classical composer |
| 38 | Larisa Latynina | Gymnast; winner of 18 Olympic medals |
| 39 | Alina Kabaeva | Rhythmic gymnast and politician |
| 40 | Evgenia Medvedeva | Figure skater; two-time World Champion |
| 41 | Kamila Valieva | Figure skater; Olympic gold medalist |
| 42 | Maria Kirilenko | Professional tennis player |
| 43 | Anna Kournikova | Tennis player and media personality |
| 44 | Alexandra Trusova | Figure skater; first to land multiple quads |
| 45 | Anna Shcherbakova | Figure skater; 2022 Olympic champion |
| 46 | Adelina Sotnikova | Figure skater; first Russian Olympic champion in ladies’ singles |
| 47 | Yulia Lipnitskaya | Figure skater; youngest Russian Olympic gold medalist |
| 48 | Dina Averina | Rhythmic gymnast; multiple world champion |
| 49 | Arina Averina | Rhythmic gymnast; world champion |
| 50 | Elena Vesnina | Tennis player; Olympic gold medalist in doubles |
| 51 | Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | Professional tennis player |
| 52 | Svetlana Kuznetsova | Tennis player; two-time Grand Slam champion |
| 53 | Vera Zvonareva | Professional tennis player |
| 54 | Elena Dementieva | Tennis player; Olympic gold medalist |
| 55 | Dinara Safina | Tennis player; former world number one |
| 56 | Olga Kaniskina | Race walker; Olympic champion |
| 57 | Elena Lashmanova | Race walker; Olympic gold medalist |
| 58 | Natalia Ishchenko | Synchronized swimmer; five-time Olympic champion |
| 59 | Svetlana Romashina | Synchronized swimmer; seven-time Olympic champion |
| 60 | Alla Shishkina | Synchronized swimmer; Olympic champion |
| 61 | Maria Shurochkina | Synchronized swimmer; Olympic champion |
| 62 | Anastasia Davydova | Synchronized swimmer; five-time Olympic champion |
| 63 | Anastasia Ermakova | Synchronized swimmer; four-time Olympic champion |
| 64 | Tatyana Navka | Ice dancer; Olympic champion |
| 65 | Oksana Grishuk | Ice dancer; two-time Olympic champion |
| 66 | Marina Anissina | Ice dancer; Olympic gold medalist |
| 67 | Ekaterina Gordeeva | Pair skater; two-time Olympic champion |
| 68 | Natalia Bestemianova | Ice dancer; Olympic champion |
| 69 | Elena Valova | Pair skater; Olympic champion |
| 70 | Irina Slutskaya | Figure skater; two-time World champion |
| 71 | Maria Butyrskaya | Figure skater; first Russian ladies’ world champion |
| 72 | Elizaveta Tuktamysheva | Figure skater; 2015 World champion |
| 73 | Elena Radionova | Figure skater; European medalist |
| 74 | Alena Kostornaia | Figure skater; European champion |
| 75 | Sofia Samodurova | Figure skater; European champion |
| 76 | Lyudmila Belousova | Pair skater; two-time Olympic champion |
| 77 | Tamara Moskvina | Figure skating coach and former skater |
| 78 | Eteri Tutberidze | High-profile figure skating coach |
| 79 | Tatiana Volosozhar | Pair skater; two-time Olympic champion |
| 80 | Ksenia Stolbova | Pair skater; Olympic medalist |
| 81 | Evgenia Tarasova | Pair skater; Olympic medalist |
| 82 | Natalia Mishkutenok | Pair skater; Olympic champion |
| 83 | Elena Berezhnaya | Pair skater; Olympic champion |
| 84 | Tatiana Totmianina | Pair skater; Olympic champion |
| 85 | Aliona Savchenko | Pair skater; Olympic champion (representing Germany/Ukraine) |
| 86 | Yulia Efimova | Swimmer; multiple world champion |
| 87 | Anastasia Fesikova | Swimmer; world champion |
| 88 | Maria Paseka | Artistic gymnast; Olympic medalist |
| 89 | Aliya Mustafina | Gymnast; two-time Olympic champion |
| 90 | Viktoria Komova | Gymnast; Olympic medalist |
| 91 | Angelina Melnikova | Gymnast; Olympic champion |
| 92 | Ksenia Afanasyeva | Gymnast; world champion |
| 93 | Maria Abakumova | Javelin thrower; world champion |
| 94 | Anna Chicherova | High jumper; Olympic champion |
| 95 | Mariya Lasitskene | High jumper; Olympic champion |
| 96 | Tatyana Lebedeva | Long jumper and triple jumper; Olympic champion |
| 97 | Gulnara Samitova-Galkina | Steeplechase runner; Olympic champion |
| 98 | Olga Kuzenkova | Hammer thrower; Olympic champion |
| 99 | Natalya Antyukh | Hurdler; Olympic gold medalist |
| 100 | Elena Prokhorova | Heptathlete; world champion |
Read more: The 100 Most Famous Russian Men of All Time
In conclusion,
This compilation highlights the diverse achievements of Russian women throughout history. Their contributions to science, sport, and leadership remain a vital part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.