Dasha Zhukova facts for kids

Darya "Dasha" Alexandrovna Zhukova is a Russian-American art collector and businesswoman. She was born on June 8, 1981. Dasha is also a magazine editor and a well-known person in society. She started the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and Garage Magazine.

Early Life and Education

Dasha Zhukova was born in Moscow, which is in Russia. Her father, Alexander Zhukov, was involved in the oil business. Her mother, Elena Zhukova, was a scientist who studied molecular biology. Dasha's parents separated when she was three years old.

In 1991, Dasha moved to the United States with her mother. They first lived in the Houston area because of her mother's work. Later, they moved to Los Angeles, California. Her mother became a professor at UCLA. She was an expert in diabetes.

Dasha went to a Jewish day school in California for three years. She then attended Pacific Hills School and finished there in 1999. She studied Slavic studies and literature at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She graduated with honors from this university.

After some time, Dasha moved to London. She studied at the College of Naturopathic Medicine but did not finish her program. In 2023, Dasha earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University.

Career in Art and Fashion

In 2006, Dasha Zhukova helped start a fashion brand called Kova & T. She has also served on important boards for art museums. These include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is also on the board for The Shed in New York.

Founding the Garage Museum

In 2008, Dasha started the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture in Moscow. This was a non-profit group that helped modern art and culture in Russia. In 2012, the center began a full art education program. It also created a public collection of Russian art.

The center changed its name to Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in 2014. The next year, it moved to its permanent home in Gorky Park. The building was designed by Rem Koolhaas. It used to be a Soviet canteen from 1968. It was turned into a modern space for art shows, books, research, and learning.

Magazine Work

In February 2009, Dasha became the editor-in-chief of Pop magazine. She worked there for three issues. She left the position in November 2010.

Dasha is also the Editorial Director of GARAGE magazine. This magazine comes out twice a year. It focuses on how modern art and fashion work together. GARAGE magazine has worked with many famous artists and designers. Some of these include Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, and Marc Jacobs. The magazine got its name and spirit from the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art.

Public Discussion and Apology

In 2014, a photo of Dasha Zhukova sitting on a chair caused a lot of discussion. The chair was designed as a piece of art. The photo was published online and many people found it upsetting. The online publication later removed the chair from the photo.

Dasha Zhukova apologized for the photo. She explained that the chair was meant to be art that commented on social topics. She said she was very sorry to anyone who was offended by her part in the photo shoot. She also stated that she strongly dislikes racism.

Personal Life and Family

In 2008, Dasha Zhukova married Roman Abramovich. He is a Russian businessman. At that time, he owned the Chelsea Football Club. Dasha and Roman had two children together. Their son and daughter were both born in the United States. In August 2017, they announced that they were separating.

On October 11, 2019, Dasha married Stavros Niarchos III. He is the son of Philip Niarchos. They had a small ceremony in Paris, France. Dasha and Stavros have three children together. They have two sons, born in March 2021 and November 2024. They also have a daughter, born in 2023.

Dasha Zhukova is a citizen of both Russia and the United States. In June 2024, the businessman Rupert Murdoch married Dasha's mother. This made him Dasha's stepfather.

See also

In Spanish: Dasha Zhukova para niños