Maksim Chmerkovskiy Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Wife, Brother, Kids, Instagram, Parents

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy, widely recognized as Maksim Chmerkovskiy, stands as a Ukrainian-American Latin ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor whose electrifying routines and commanding presence propelled him to stardom on the hit series Dancing with the Stars.

Over 17 seasons from 2006 to 2018, he claimed one mirrorball trophy in 2014 with partner Meryl Davis, reached the finals four more times, and became a fan favorite for his intensity and charisma.

Profile

• Full Name: Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy
• Stage Name: Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Born: 17, January 1980
• Age: 45 years old
• Birthplace: Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
• Nationality: Ukrainian-American
• Occupation: Choreographer, Instructor, Dancer
• Height: 1.88m
• Parents: Aleksandr “Sasha” Chmerkovskiy, and Larisa Chmerkovskaya
• Siblings: Valentin Chmerkovskiy
• Spouse: Peta Murgatroyd (m. 2017)
• Children: 3
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $8 million

Early Life and Education

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy entered the world on January 17, 1980, in Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, to Aleksandr “Sasha” Chmerkovskiy.

He grew up alongside his younger brother, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, in a tight-knit family that valued hard work amid economic shifts in post-Soviet Ukraine.

At age four, his parents enrolled him in a school of aesthetic education focused on manners and ballroom dance, sparking his lifelong passion, though he also dabbled in tennis, soccer, and swimming.

The family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, in 1994, where Maksim learned English by reading street signs and attended local high schools without pursuing higher education, instead channeling efforts into intensive dance training.

His Ukrainian-Jewish ethnicity informs his resilient drive, and he identifies with Judaism.

Career

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy discovered his calling at four through aesthetic education classes that blended etiquette with ballroom basics, leading him to compete in ten-dance events by his early teens despite a severe skiing accident at 13 that required a titanium rod in his leg.

Doctors doubted his return, but he danced again after six months, honing Latin and ballroom skills in Ukraine before the family’s 1994 move to Brooklyn tested his resolve with language barriers and restaurant jobs for income.

At 16, he and his father launched Rising Stars Dance Academy in New Jersey, a youth-focused studio that sharpened his teaching chops while he ranked second nationally in International Latin, laying groundwork for professional breakthroughs in competitive circuits.

Chmerkovskiy’s star ascended in 2006 with his Dancing with the Stars debut in season two, where his fiery partnerships—like with Tia Carrere—drew eyes despite early eliminations, evolving into finals runs with Erin Andrews and Kristi Yamaguchi for third place.

He secured runner-up spots with Melissa Rycroft and Brooke Burke, then triumphed in season 18 with Meryl Davis for his sole mirrorball, all while choreographing Vegas shows like Le Rêve’s tango numbers and Broadway’s Burn the Floor in 2009.

Guest spots on General Hospital and The Exes added acting flair, and co-founding Dance with Me studios expanded his empire, blending instruction with celebrity draws that fueled national growth.

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy expands his reach through family tours like the 2016 Maks & Val Live On Tour, a 45-city autobiographical spectacle that wove their immigrant story into dynamic routines, alongside Sway: A Dance Trilogy performances in New York and Miami featuring stars like Zendaya.

He judges international editions such as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Tantsi z zirkamy, while his studio network thrives with adult social classes and competitive programs.

Advocacy shines in his 2022 Ukraine dispatches raising awareness during the invasion, and recent ventures like endorsing Tetya KAPA vodka in 2025 highlight his entrepreneurial pivot, inspiring dancers with a blueprint of grit, family bonds, and cross-cultural impact.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @maksimc
• Facebook Handle: Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Twitter Handle: @Maksimc

Personal Life

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy ties the knot with Peta Murgatroyd in 2017 after a whirlwind romance that began on Dancing with the Stars in 2012, paused briefly, then reignited leading to their engagement onstage during Sway in 2015.

They welcome three sons—Shai Aleksander in January 2017, Rio John in June 2023, and Milan Maksim in July 2024—often sharing family dance sessions that blend their worlds.

Past flames include an engagement to Karina Smirnoff in 2009 and a brief link with model Kate Upton, but he now cherishes a stable home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, with Los Angeles jaunts for work.

Filmography

• General Hospital (2013)
• The Exes (2012)
• Forever Tango (2013)
• Burn the Floor (2009)

Net Worth

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy boasts an estimated net worth of $8 million.

He builds this fortune through Dancing with the Stars appearances that delivered steady paychecks and syndication perks over 17 seasons, plus choreography fees from Broadway hits like Burn the Floor and Vegas residencies at Le Rêve.