Meet Vera Glagoleva’s Kids: Anastasia Shubskaya, Anna Nakhapetova & Maria Nakhapetova

Vera Glagoleva, the beloved Soviet and Russian actress, director, and screenwriter, left an indelible mark on the world of cinema with her exceptional talent and grace.

Vera Vitalievna Glagoleva was born on January 31, 1956, in Moscow, Russia, which was then part of the Soviet Union. She was of Russian ethnicity and grew up in a secular household with no public affiliation to any particular religion.

Her parents, Vitaliy Pavlovich Glagolev and Galina Naumovna Glagoleva, were both educators—her father taught physics and mathematics, while her mother was a primary school teacher. Vera shared a close bond with her older brother, Boris Glagolev, throughout her early years.

Although Vera was raised in Moscow, where she attended local schools, her initial passion lay in sports rather than the arts. She excelled in archery, earning the title of Master of Sports of the USSR. Despite her athletic achievements, her career in acting came unexpectedly. In 1974, a director spotted her talent, which led to her entry into the film industry—a path she embarked upon without formal acting training.

Beyond her remarkable career, Vera was a devoted mother to three daughters—Anastasia Shubskaya, Anna Nakhapetova, and Maria Nakhapetova—each of whom has forged her own unique path in life.

Vera Glagoleva was married twice, with each relationship significantly shaping her personal life and family. Her first marriage was to Rodion Rafailovich Nakhapetov, a Soviet actor and director of Armenian descent, whom she met in 1974 during a chance encounter at Mosfilm Studios. They married in 1976, when Vera was 20 and Rodion was 32.

Together, they had two daughters: Anna Nakhapetova (born 1978) and Maria Nakhapetova (born 1980). The couple also collaborated professionally, with Vera starring in several of Rodion’s films. However, their marriage ended in 1991 after Rodion relocated to the United States to further his career, leading to their eventual divorce.

Vera’s second marriage was to Kirill Yulievich Shubsky, a wealthy Russian businessman and shipping magnate, in 1991. Despite a notable age difference—Kirill was eight years younger than Vera—their relationship was strong and enduring. They welcomed their daughter, Anastasia Shubskaya, in 1993, born in Switzerland.

This marriage lasted until Vera’s passing in August 2017, with Kirill providing a steady and supportive partnership throughout her later years, including during her battle with cancer. Both marriages left a lasting legacy through her three daughters.

Anna Nakhapetova

Born on October 14, 1978, in Moscow, Anna Nakhapetova is the eldest daughter of Vera Glagoleva and her first husband, actor and director Rodion Nakhapetov. Raised in a creative household, Anna was drawn to the arts from a young age, particularly ballet.

Her passion for dance led her to rigorous training, eventually studying at the State Academy of Choreography in Moscow. Upon completing her education, she joined the prestigious Bolshoi Theater, where she performed as a ballerina, demonstrating remarkable grace and discipline.

Anna’s talents, however, extended beyond ballet. Following in her parents’ footsteps, she ventured into acting, with notable appearances in films such as One War (2009), directed by her mother, and Two Women (2014). Her dual career in both ballet and acting highlights her versatility and commitment to the arts.

In 2006, Anna married Yegor Simachev, a fellow artist from the Bolshoi Theater. The couple had a daughter, Polina Simachev, born on November 24, 2006. Though their marriage ended in divorce, Anna continues to raise Polina while maintaining a cordial relationship with her ex-husband.

Anna’s life reflects a blend of her mother’s artistic spirit and her own determination to succeed in both dance and cinema. Since her mother’s passing in August 2017, Anna has kept a relatively low profile, focusing on her family and career while honoring her mother’s enduring legacy.

Maria Nakhapetova

Maria Nakhapetova, born on June 28, 1980, in Moscow, is the second daughter of Vera Glagoleva and Rodion Nakhapetov. Unlike her sister Anna, who pursued the performing arts, Maria was drawn to the visual arts from an early age.

She demonstrated a natural talent for painting and studied at an art school, as well as at the Art Studio of the Pushkin Museum. Her artistic journey continued at the prestigious VGIK (Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography), where she graduated from the Animation Department.

Eager to expand her skill set, Maria later moved to the United States, where she specialized in computer animation, graphics, and design. She also taught courses on computer special effects inspired by Steven Spielberg.

Maria‘s career is multifaceted—she acts in films, paints, and designs books, showcasing her wide-ranging creative talents. Her personal life has also seen its share of adventures. While in the U.S., she married a Russian-born photographer and studio owner, though the marriage was short-lived, leading to her return to Russia.

Once back in Moscow, Maria met and married a businessman, with whom she has two sons: Kirill (born September 19, 2007) and Miron (born 2012). Despite her professional success, Maria leads a relatively private life, preferring to stay out of the public eye, though her ongoing artistic contributions continue to reflect her creative heritage.

Maria’s connection to her mother’s legacy remains strong, exemplified by her appearance in her father’s film Infection (2007).

Anastasia Shubskaya

Anastasia Shubskaya, the youngest daughter of Vera Glagoleva and her second husband, businessman Kirill Shubsky, was born on November 16, 1993, in Switzerland.

Raised in an environment that blended creativity and privilege, Anastasia—affectionately known as Nastya—was influenced by her mother’s cinematic legacy and her father’s business expertise. She pursued a degree in production at the VGIK (Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography), graduating in 2014, and briefly explored acting, appearing in films such as Ferris Wheel, Ca de Bo, and A Woman Wants to Know, some of which were directed by her mother.

However, it was in modeling where Anastasia truly flourished, capitalizing on her striking beauty and grace. Her career skyrocketed in 2015, earning her a spot on Elle magazine’s “World’s Most Eligible Brides” list. That same year, she began a high-profile relationship with Russian hockey superstar Alexander Ovechkin.

The couple married quietly in August 2016, followed by an extravagant celebration in July 2017, just one month before Vera’s passing. The wedding, attended by celebrities and even congratulated by President Vladimir Putin, was a bittersweet occasion for the family, as Vera‘s health was privately deteriorating due to cancer.