Maksim Chmerkovskiy — Dance, Dreams, and Family: A Deep Dive into His Life

Roots on the Ballroom Floor and Beyond

Born on January 17, 1980, in Odesa, then part of the Soviet Union, Maksim Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy began dancing at the tender age of four. His parents — his mother Christian, his father Jewish — enrolled him in a school of “aesthetic education,” where ballroom dance and etiquette were part of a broader cultural upbringing. 

Though a skiing accident at 13 left him with a titanium rod in his leg, doctors doubting a dance career, Maksim defied expectations. Within six months he was dancing again — a prelude to a life defined by resilience, rhythm, and reinvention. 

He eventually moved to Brooklyn as a teenager, learning English from street signs and early jobs dancing in restaurants — a humble yet formative beginning that would shape his drive and ambition.

From Competitive Dance to Television Stardom

Maksim’s early years in competitive dance were marked by success. In the early 2000s he partnered with dancer Elena Grinenko, rising to become 2nd in the United States and 7th in the world among professional International Latin couples. 

His resume includes a string of titles: 2005 Yankee Classic Professional Latin Champion, 2004 Manhattan Dancesport Professional Latin Champion, and many more — achievements that established him among the elite in Latin-ballroom dancing.

Yet his global recognition would come with television. In 2006, he made his debut on smash-hit reality show Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), becoming one of its most recognizable and charismatic professional dancers. Over 17 seasons he made it to the final round five times, and in 2014 won the Mirrorball Trophy with Olympic ice-dancer Meryl Davis. 

Beyond competition, he performed in Broadway dance-theater productions such as Burn the Floor and Forever Tango — a bridge between rigorous competitive dance and theatrical showmanship.

A Reported Net Worth: From Dancer to Dance-Empire

According to a recent ranking of DWTS pros, Maksim’s estimated net worth stands around US$ 8 million. This figure reflects not only his earnings from television and touring but also his broader influence as a dancer, choreographer, and public personality.

That said, as with many public estimates, this number likely reflects a combination of past earnings, ongoing engagements, and brand value — not a static figure. Still, it underscores his success transitioning from competitive dance to broader entertainment and legacy.

Love, Lives — and a Family Built on Dance

Maksim’s romantic journey has had its twists. In 2009 he was briefly engaged to fellow DWTS pro Karina Smirnoff — a chapter that ended before a wedding. 

A more enduring story began in 2012, when he started dating fellow dancer Peta Murgatroyd. Their romance wasn’t straightforward: after becoming “official,” they split in 2013 — only to reconcile in October 2014. 

Their engagement came on December 5, 2015 — on the dance floor during a live performance, romantic and emblematic of their shared life in dance.

On July 8, 2017, Maksim and Peta married in a ceremony on Long Island — a heartfelt celebration of their journey.

Today they share three sons: Shai Aleksander Chmerkovskiy (born January 2017), Rio John Chmerkovskiy (born June 2023), and Milan Maksim Chmerkovskiy (born July 2024).

Through their story — from Broadway to competitive TV to family life — Maksim’s journey has remained rooted in passion for dance, love, and reinvention.

More Than a Dancer: Resilience, Roots, and Reinvention

Maksim’s life is more than his net worth or accolades. His early years — from immigrant teenager to competitive dancer — show a deep personal drive. His recovery from a career-threatening injury speaks to resilience. His rise to fame and stability mirrors the immigrant-dream narrative that resonates widely.

His relationship with Peta, with its setbacks and renewal, reflects a maturity beyond stage presence — a willingness to grow, reconcile, and build a family grounded in love.

In a world chasing fleeting fame, Maksim’s legacy feels more enduring: a dancer who used art to overcome adversity; a performer who transformed talent into global recognition; a family man who built a meaningful life beyond spotlights.