As one of the most inspiring Tennis legends, Maria Sharapova has continuously caught the fantasy of the world. All that sporting stardom and the business empire that she has built, has come to her after a remarkable journey from rags to riches.
Born in Nyagan, in the Siberian region of Russia, Maria first picked up a racket at the tender age of four. Incredibly only a year later, she was spotted by tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who advised Maria’s parents to send her to the Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in the United States.
In 1995 Maria with her father Yuri, Maria ventured on her American dream. Turned out that at seven, Sharapova was still too young to even attend the academy, but Yuri took odd jobs to help keep them afloat until she was, at nine, when she entered with a full ride. When her mother finally arrived, a year later, Sharapova was homeschooled so she could focus on tennis.
By 18, Sharapova was the world’s highest-paid female athlete, a title she held for the 11 years following, a silver Olympic medalist and one of only 10 women to win a career Grand Slam in tennis.
Maria Sharapova today is also a businesswoman with her seven-year-old candy line; investments in Ultimate Fighting Championship, sunscreen maker Supergoop and an app called Charly that lets users message celebrities; and an upcoming partnership codesigning hotel gyms.
