Marina Alyabusheva is a Ukrainian artist and art teacher, best known as the actress Olga Kurylenko. She raised Olga as a single parent through difficult economic times while building her own career in art, including exhibitions in London. She maintains a modest public presence through social media and occasional appearances.
Not many people know the woman behind one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. Marina Alyabusheva raised her daughter, Olga Kurylenko,o through poverty and hardship in Soviet-era Ukraine, all while building her own career as an art teacher and exhibited artist. Today, she maintains a quiet public presence, occasionally appearing at events and sharing glimpses of her artwork on social media.
Who is Marina Alyabusheva?
Marina Alyabusheva is a Ukrainian artist and art teacher, widely recognized as the mother of actress and model Olga Kurylenko. She raised Olga as a single parent in difficult circumstances, working as an art teacher to support them both. Beyond her role as a parent, Marina has pursued her own career in the arts, exhibiting her work publicly in galleries, including a notable show at MacDougall’s in London.
Her life reflects the struggle and strength of many women who balanced personal dreams with family responsibilities. She spent years teaching art to students while creating her own pieces, building a modest reputation in the art world separate from her daughter’s fame.
Early Life and Background
Marina grew up during the Soviet era in Ukraine, a time when economic opportunities were limited and daily life required constant adaptation. The region she called home faced the typical challenges of Soviet society—state-controlled resources, limited personal freedoms, and economic uncertainty. These formative years shaped her resilient character and her approach to both art and motherhood.
Details about her early family life remain scarce in public records. What’s clear is that she developed an interest in art from a young age, eventually pursuing it seriously enough to make it her profession. The cultural environment of her youth, despite its restrictions, still valued artistic expression and provided pathways for those with talent and determination.
A Career in Art and Teaching
Marina built her professional life around education and creativity. She worked as an art teacher, spending her days guiding students through techniques and helping them discover their own artistic voices. Teaching provided a steady income during difficult economic times, but it also allowed her to stay connected to the art world she loved.
Her own artistic practice continued alongside her teaching career. She worked with various media, creating pieces that eventually caught the attention of gallery owners and curators. Unlike many artists who struggle for recognition, Marina managed to secure exhibition opportunities that brought her work to public audiences.
Notable Exhibitions
The most documented moment in Marina’s exhibition history came when she opened a show in London. The event at MacDougall’s gallery marked a significant milestone, placing her work in front of an international audience. The London exhibition demonstrated that her art had merit beyond her connection to a famous daughter—it stood on its own quality and vision.
These public showings gave Marina a platform to share her creative perspective. Each exhibition represented years of work, refinement, and the courage to present personal expression to public judgment.
Raising Olga Kurylenko — Family and Influence
Marina’s most challenging role came as a single mother raising Olga in post-Soviet Ukraine. The economic collapse that followed the USSR’s dissolution hit families hard, and single-parent households faced particular strain. Marina worked her teaching job while managing all aspects of Olga’s upbringing, often struggling to cover basic expenses.
Money was tight enough that luxuries were out of the question. Yet Marina recognized something special in her daughter and supported her when a modeling scout discovered Olga on the Moscow metro at age 13. That moment changed both their lives. Rather than keeping Olga close out of fear or uncertainty, Marina encouraged her to pursue the opportunity, even though it meant separation and risk.
The decision paid off as Olga’s modeling career took off, eventually leading to acting roles and international fame. Marina’s willingness to let her daughter chase those chances—despite the difficulties it created—showed remarkable foresight and selflessness. Their relationship weathered the distance and challenges, with Olga frequently crediting her mother’s strength and sacrifice in interviews.
Public Life & Appearances
Marina maintains a relatively private life compared to her daughter, but she does make occasional public appearances. Photos from official events show her attending functions with Olga, including meetings with Ukrainian officials and cultural gatherings. These moments reveal a woman comfortable in public settings but not seeking the spotlight.
Her social media presence offers the most direct window into her current life. On Instagram under the handle @marynaalyabusheva, she shares updates about her artwork, personal moments, and glimpses into her daily life. The account attracts followers interested in both her art and her connection to Olga, though Marina focuses primarily on visual content rather than detailed personal commentary.
Ukrainian press outlets have covered Marina sporadically over the years, particularly when discussing Olga’s background or family context. These articles paint a picture of someone who values her roots and maintains ties to her homeland despite the international nature of her daughter’s career.
Personality, Style, and What People Remember
Those who know Marina describe her as artistic, private, and resilient. She carries herself with quiet dignity, avoiding the drama and publicity-seeking behavior common among parents of famous children. Her focus remains on her own creative work and personal life rather than leveraging her daughter’s fame.
Her artistic style, based on available descriptions, appears thoughtful and personally meaningful rather than trendy or commercial. She creates work that matters to her, whether or not it fits current market demands. This authenticity resonates with viewers who encounter her pieces in gallery settings.
Local press coverage emphasizes her warmth and approachability despite her reserved nature. She’s remembered as someone who stayed grounded through both hardship and her daughter’s success, maintaining the same basic character throughout changing circumstances.
Where to See Marina Today
Finding current information about Marina requires checking a few specific sources. Her Instagram account remains the most reliable place for updates on new artwork and personal news. The platform allows her to control her own narrative and share what she chooses with interested followers.
Gallery announcements occasionally mention her when new exhibitions are planned, though these happen less frequently than for full-time professional artists. News articles about Olga sometimes include updated information about Marina, particularly pieces focusing on family background or human-interest angles.
She appears to split her time between Ukraine and international locations, though specific details about her current residence remain private. This mobility allows her to maintain connections to both her homeland and her daughter’s world.
Why Her Story Matters
Marina Alyabusheva represents thousands of single mothers who raised children through economic collapse and social upheaval. Her story matters because it shows how personal strength and sacrifice can create opportunities for the next generation. She didn’t just survive difficult circumstances—she built a career, supported her daughter’s dreams, and pursued her own artistic vision.
Her relationship with Olga demonstrates healthy boundaries between a parent and a famous child. Marina neither disappeared into the background nor tried to capitalize on her daughter’s success. She maintained her own identity and work while celebrating Olga’s achievements.
For art lovers, Marina’s exhibitions prove that artistic careers can develop over decades, surviving interruptions and challenges. She didn’t let single motherhood or financial hardship end her creative practice. Instead, she found ways to continue making art while meeting other responsibilities.
Her quiet dignity offers a refreshing contrast to parents who seek attention through their children’s fame. Marina Alyabusheva lives as her own person—an artist, teacher, and mother whose influence shaped one of Hollywood’s stars while maintaining her own meaningful life.
