Natalia Vodianova

“When you become a mother, you think less about yourself and care more about the world.”

“When you are at the bottom, you find beauty in such little things, and goodness in such little gestures. When I compare any struggle today to ones that I may have had in my childhood, there is nothing that can bring me down.”

“Before I left Russia in 1999, I was living in a very poor factory town with my family and friends, and nothing was ever going to change.”

“I completely admire my mother for raising a child with cerebral palsy at home.”

“We all have our own purpose in life and I feel very strongly that I have a bigger purpose than giving to just my immediate family and friends.”

“My appearance gave me access to a particular kind of world and I'm really grateful for it.”

“The people that live in my hometown do not walk along the street with smiles on their faces. It is a desperate place, but I got out.”

“Finding out I was pretty was a very nice realisation.”

“Moscow is a huge inspiration for me. I love what I find here, I love being here.”

“I raised my sister. I was six when she was born. My mother had to make a living for herself and it was very hard, so I was looking after my sister, cooking and cleaning, and she had four jobs.”

“I think protecting your family and giving to them is so important. It's the most important achievement.”