Singer MakSim, despite her outward appearance, has faced numerous challenges throughout her life, including soaring to fame, navigating personal crises, and battling serious health problems. At 42, she has demonstrated resilience, returning to the stage fueled by her love for music.
MakSim, born Marina in Kazan, experienced a childhood filled with music and creativity within a close-knit family. Her father, though working in a car service, played the guitar, while her mother, a kindergarten teacher, organized children’s parties. Despite the creative environment, discipline was strict, with Marina and her brother balancing school with music, ballet, karate, and even football, showcasing her diverse talents from a young age. As a teenager, she rebelled, experimenting with her appearance and singing in clubs, with her father’s support and her mother’s disapproval.
MakSim began writing her own songs at 14 and performed in local events, eventually working with the “Pro-Z” group in Kazan. Her singles “Trudny Vozrast” and “Santimetry Dikhaniya” gained popularity on Kazan radio, prompting her move to Moscow. Initially, she faced hardship, performing in underpasses and working odd jobs, but a chance encounter led to opportunities and collaborations with musicians. This period was marked by her determination to succeed without compromising her values.
Her debut album, “Trudny Vozrast,” released in 2006, achieved resounding success, with the song “Nezhnost” topping charts and selling over two million copies. She embarked on tours and received MTV awards, solidifying her status as a prominent pop artist. Her second album, “Moi Rai,” followed in 2007, earning diamond status, and she received recognition as “Honored Artist of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic” in 2013.
In 2015, MakSim opened her own art school in Moscow, shifting her focus to working with children. However, a miscarriage and her father’s illness led to depression and the closure of the school. Battling deteriorating health, she canceled tours and performances.
In 2019, a car accident resulted in a concussion and internal injuries, followed by a severe bout of pneumonia during the pandemic. She was placed in an induced coma and faced a lengthy recovery, losing weight and muscle mass. She emerged from the experience with a renewed appreciation for life.
Returning to the stage, she faced challenges with addiction, leading to a disrupted performance in Sochi in 2023. MakSim sought treatment in a rehabilitation center, supported by her father’s experience with sobriety.
MakSim’s personal life includes a marriage to Alexei Lugovtsev, with whom she had a daughter, Sasha. The marriage ended due to his struggles with addiction. She also had a daughter, Masha, with businessman Anton, and experienced a miscarriage. Currently, she is single and prioritizing her personal growth and development.