Singer MakSим, known for her resilience, has faced numerous challenges throughout her life, emerging stronger each time. At 42, she has achieved immense popularity, navigated personal crises, and battled life-threatening health issues. Her unwavering spirit and love for music have fueled her comeback to the stage.
MakSим’s journey began in Kazan, in a non-musical family. Her father, a car mechanic, and mother, a kindergarten teacher and event organizer, fostered a creative environment with home concerts. Despite a disciplined upbringing with music school, ballet, and church visits, MakSим’s rebellious streak emerged in her teens. She experimented with her appearance and began performing in clubs, supported by her father.
At 14, MakSим started writing her own songs and performing locally. Success came with the singles “Trudnyi vozrast” and “Santimetry dykhaniya,” prompting her move to Moscow. Initially facing hardships, including performing in underpasses and struggling financially, she persevered with the help of a dancer friend. She took on odd jobs, connected with musicians, and performed at concerts for aspiring artists.
MakSим’s breakthrough arrived after a chance encounter at a St. Petersburg dance festival. Hearing a crowd sing “Trudnyi vozrast,” she secured a deal with Gala Records. Her debut album, “Trudnyi vozrast” (2006), achieved phenomenal success, selling over two million copies, and the song “Nezhnost” topped charts. This was followed by successful tours and MTV awards. Her second album, “Moi rai” (2007), reached diamond status.
In 2015, MakSим established her own art school, a passion project that temporarily sidelined her solo career. The school thrived, offering classes in various art forms. However, personal tragedies struck, including a miscarriage and her father’s cancer diagnosis. This led to a period of depression and alcohol abuse.
Health problems further disrupted MakSим’s career. A car accident in 2019 resulted in a concussion and injuries, followed by a severe bout of pneumonia during the pandemic. She was placed in an artificial coma for two months and faced a difficult recovery, losing significant weight and muscle mass.
After recovering from her illness, MakSим gradually returned to performing. She has spoken openly about appreciating simple moments and prioritizing her family. However, she relapsed into alcohol abuse, leading to a problematic performance in Sochi in 2023. Following this incident, she sought treatment in a rehabilitation center. With her father’s support, who battled with alcohol earlier in his life, she has managed to get sober.
MakSим’s personal life has been marked by both love and heartbreak. Her first love was musician Andrei Shultz, followed by a marriage to sound engineer Alexei Lugovtsev, with whom she had a daughter, Sasha. The marriage ended due to Alexei’s struggles with addiction. She later had a daughter, Masha, with businessman Anton, but they separated after a year. She has had other relationships, including with actor Denis Nikiforov. She experienced a miscarriage with her third child, a son, which triggered her relapse with alcohol. Currently, MakSим is focused on her personal growth and desires a strong family in the future.