Maksim Chmerkovskiy Wiki, Bio, Networth, GF, Wife, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Maksim “Maks” Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy is a Ukrainian-American Latin ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor who captured international fame as a professional dancer on the hit ABC series Dancing with the Stars. Known for his immense talent, passionate performances, and charismatic, often outspoken, personality, Chmerkovskiy became one of the show’s most recognizable and beloved figures. Over 17 seasons, he reached the final round five times and ultimately won the coveted Mirrorball Trophy in 2014 with Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis. Beyond the ballroom, Chmerkovskiy has starred on Broadway, co-founded the successful “Dance With Me” studio franchise, and appeared in various television shows and national tours, cementing his status as a prominent figure in the world of dance and entertainment.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Overview

Early Life and Education of Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy was born on January 17, 1980, in Odesa, Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He was born to Aleksandr “Sasha” Chmerkovskiy and Larisa Chmerkovskaya and is the elder brother of Valentin “Val” Chmerkovskiy, who is also a world-renowned professional dancer. His father is Jewish and his mother is Christian; Maksim has identified himself as Jewish. His journey into the world of dance began at the tender age of four when his parents enrolled him in a school of aesthetic education. The school’s curriculum was designed to cultivate well-mannered young ladies and gentlemen, with ballroom dancing being a key component. It was here that the foundation for his lifelong passion was laid. He quickly began competing in ten-dance, a challenging category that includes both ballroom and Latin dances.

Chmerkovskiy’s childhood was not solely focused on dance; he was also an active child who enjoyed tennis, soccer, and swimming. However, his burgeoning dance career faced a severe threat when, at age 13, he suffered a horrific skiing accident. He broke his right leg so badly that doctors were pessimistic about his future, suggesting he would face long-term difficulties and that a professional dancing career was unlikely. A titanium rod was surgically implanted to stabilize the leg. Displaying the tenacity that would later define his career, Chmerkovskiy defied the odds, making a remarkable recovery and returning to the dance floor just six months later. In 1994, when he was 14, the Chmerkovskiy family immigrated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York, in pursuit of a better life. The transition was fraught with challenges, including financial hardship and a significant language barrier; he learned English by reading street signs. The American dream was hard-won, but the move also provided him with the opportunity to rededicate himself fully to dance.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Career

Upon settling in the United States, Chmerkovskiy’s focus on dance intensified. At 15, he began working at a local Russian restaurant, performing dance routines for entertainment, and realized that winning competitions could lead to better pay. His ambition and talent quickly propelled him up the ranks of the competitive dance world. At just 16, he and his father opened the Rising Stars Dance Academy in New Jersey, a studio focused on training young dancers. This was the first step in building a dance empire. As a competitor, Chmerkovskiy excelled in the International Latin category, achieving a rank of 2nd in the United States and 7th in the world with his partner Elena Grinenko.

The major breakthrough in Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s career came in 2006 when he joined the second season of the American television series Dancing with the Stars. He was quickly dubbed the “bad boy of the ballroom” for his passionate, demanding teaching style and his candid, often fiery, commentary. Over his 17 seasons on the show, he became a household name and a fan favorite. He reached the finals on multiple occasions with partners like Mel B of the Spice Girls and actress Kirstie Alley. His persistence paid off in Season 18, when he and his celebrity partner, Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis, won the Mirrorball Trophy. Their partnership was celebrated for its incredible chemistry and technical perfection, earning them the highest average score in the show’s history at the time.

Beyond Dancing with the Stars, Chmerkovskiy has demonstrated significant versatility and business acumen. He has starred in several Broadway productions, including the critically acclaimed dance shows Burn the Floor and Forever Tango. He also co-founded “Dance With Me,” a chain of premier dance studios with multiple locations across the country, alongside his brother Val and other professional dancers. The studios cater to both social and competitive adult dancers. He and Val have also created and starred in their own touring dance shows, “Maks & Val Live on Tour: Our Way” and “Confidential,” which were autobiographical productions that played to sold-out theaters. Chmerkovskiy has also taken his expertise abroad, serving as a judge on the Ukrainian version of Dancing with the Stars, titled Tantsi z zirkamy, and India’s version, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. He has made numerous other television appearances, including roles on General Hospital, the Netflix reboot Fuller House, and as a contestant on The Masked Dancer (as “Sloth”) and The Traitors. In 2024, it was announced he would be a judge on the 18th season of So You Think You Can Dance.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Personal Life & Family

Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s personal life has often been as much in the spotlight as his professional career. After a high-profile engagement to fellow DWTS pro Karina Smirnoff in 2009, which ended after nine months, his most significant relationship began with another professional dancer from the show, Peta Murgatroyd. The couple first met while working on the Broadway show Burn the Floor in 2009. They began dating in 2012, and after a brief split, they reunited in late 2014. Chmerkovskiy proposed to Murgatroyd in December 2015, live on stage during a performance of their show Sway: A Dance Trilogy in Miami.

They married on July 8, 2017, at a lavish ceremony in Oheka Castle on Long Island, New York. Family is clearly a cornerstone of Chmerkovskiy’s life. He and Peta are proud parents to three sons: Shai Aleksander, born in January 2017, Rio John, born in June 2023, and Milan Maksim, born in July 2024. Chmerkovskiy has spoken openly about the profound impact fatherhood has had on him, stating that his entire life changed the moment his first child was born and that he has embraced his role as a husband and father. He maintains a very close relationship with his brother, Val, and his parents, who are often featured in his social media posts. The family primarily resides in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Following the outbreak of war in his native Ukraine, where he was present at the time, he has been a vocal advocate for his home country, starting a humanitarian aid fund called Baranova27 with his father and brother to provide relief to Ukrainian citizens.

Awards and Achievements of Maksim Chmerkovskiy

• 2014 Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball Trophy Champion (Season 18 with Meryl Davis)
• 2005 Yankee Classic Professional Latin Champion
• 2005 Blackpool Dance Festival Semi-Finalist
• 2004 Manhattan Dancesport Professional Latin Champion
• 2004 Nevada Star Ball Champion
• 2004 World Masters Finalist
• 2004 Moscow Kremlin Cup Finalist
• 2004 Philadelphia Dancesport Festival Champion
• 2003 All England Champion
• 2003 Ohio Star Ball Latin Champion
• 2003 La Classique du Quebec Champion

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Net Worth and Income

As of 2025, Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. This wealth has been accumulated from a variety of successful ventures throughout his extensive career. A significant portion of his income was derived from his long and successful tenure on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, where top professional dancers could earn a substantial salary per season. However, his financial success extends far beyond the television ballroom. Chmerkovskiy is a savvy entrepreneur, most notably as the co-founder of the “Dance With Me” studio franchise, which has grown to include numerous high-end social and competitive dance clubs across the nation. His income is further supplemented by his work on Broadway in shows like Burn the Floor and Forever Tango, national and international dance tours with his brother Val, and various other television appearances as a performer, judge, and actor. He has also ventured into production with his own company, Maksim Chmerkovskiy Productions, which organizes performances worldwide.

Legacy and Influence

Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s legacy is firmly etched in the world of ballroom dance, both as a competitor and as a popularizer of the art form. He played a pivotal role in the massive success of Dancing with the Stars, bringing a level of intensity, technical precision, and star power that captivated millions of viewers. His “bad boy” persona, combined with his undeniable talent, made him one of the show’s most compelling figures and helped elevate ballroom dancing into mainstream pop culture. As an instructor and mentor, his influence is significant. Through his Rising Stars Dance Academy and the nationwide “Dance With Me” studios, he has coached and mentored countless dancers, including his own brother Val, who became a world junior champion under his tutelage. Chmerkovskiy has dedicated himself to fostering new talent and is a board member for the non-profit organization DanceTeamUSA, which aims to promote DanceSport among American youth. In recent years, he has also used his prominent platform to advocate for humanitarian causes, particularly for his native Ukraine, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility.

Interesting Facts about Maksim Chmerkovskiy

• As a child, he survived a severe skiing accident at age 13 that required a titanium rod to be placed in his leg, with doctors initially doubting he could ever dance professionally again.
• He and his father opened his first dance studio, Rising Stars Dance Academy, when he was only 16 years old.
• When his family first immigrated to Brooklyn in 1994, he did not speak English and learned the language primarily by reading street signs.
• He has appeared on Broadway in two different dance productions: Burn the Floor and Forever Tango.
• In 2011, he was the star of the Ukrainian version of the reality show The Bachelor.
• He provided choreography for the world-famous water-based stage production, Le Rêve, at the Wynn Las Vegas.
• He competed on the first season of The Masked Dancer as the “Sloth” and finished in second place.

Controversies

Throughout his career, Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s passionate and outspoken nature has sometimes led to controversy. On Dancing with the Stars, he was known for occasional clashes with the judges over scores and critiques, and sometimes had tense relationships with his celebrity partners. Most notably, his partnership with U.S. soccer star Hope Solo in 2011 became contentious. In her autobiography, Solo accused Chmerkovskiy of being physically aggressive during rehearsals, an accusation he has consistently denied. More recently, in late 2025, Chmerkovskiy sparked controversy with comments made on his wife’s podcast about a new professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, Jan Ravnik. Chmerkovskiy stated that Ravnik had “no business being a pro on the show” due to a perceived lack of technical ballroom foundation. The comments drew significant backlash from many fans of the show. Chmerkovskiy later issued a public apology to Ravnik, expressing regret for hurting his feelings and offered to meet with him to “bury the hatchet.”

Social Media Presence

• Instagram – Approximately 1.1 million followers
• Twitter – Active presence with a fluctuating follower count
• YouTube – Hosts a channel with his wife, Peta Murgatroyd, titled “Maks and Peta”

Final Words about Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s journey from a young boy in Odesa, Ukraine, to an international dance superstar is a testament to his talent, relentless drive, and resilience. He has successfully transitioned from a world-class competitive dancer to a beloved television personality, a Broadway star, and a successful entrepreneur. While he officially stepped back from competing on Dancing with the Stars after Season 25, he remains an integral part of the show’s legacy and continues to be involved in the dance world as a judge, choreographer, and studio owner. Today, his focus is heavily centered on his growing family with wife Peta Murgatroyd and their three sons, a role he cherishes deeply. He continues to use his platform for philanthropy, especially in support of Ukraine, while exploring new ventures in media and entertainment. Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s legacy is that of a master of his craft who brought ballroom dancing to the forefront of popular culture, and a passionate individual who continues to evolve both personally and professionally.