Celebrity Wind: Olga Kurylenko

Olha Kostiantynivna Kurylenko (born November 14, 1979), better known as Olga Kurylenko, is a Ukrainian actress and model. She is perhaps best known as the Bond girl, Camille Montes, in the 22nd James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

Olga Kurylenko Mini Biography

Olga Kurylenko, a Ukrainian-born actress and model who grew up in poverty sharing a Soviet flat with her aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousin, is now starring as Bond girl opposite Daniel Craig.

Olga Kurylenko was born Olga Konstantinovna Kurylenko on November 14, 1979, in Berdyansk, Ukraine, Soviet Union. Her mother, Marina Alyabysheva, divorced her father, Konstantin Kurylenko, soon after her birth. After the divorce, her mother struggled to survive as an art teacher. Young Olga Kurylenko was brought up by her mother and her grandmother, Raisa. During her youth, Olga had a humbling experience of living in poverty and dirty wallpaper; she had no choice but to wear rags and had to darn the holes on her sweater. During the years in Ukraine Olga Kurylenko studied art, languages, did 7 years of musical school studying piano and went to a ballet studio until 13.

At age 13, Olga Kurylenko and her mother made a trip to Moscow. There she was scouted by an agent who approached her at a subway station and offered a job as a model. Initially, Olga's mother was suspicious, but eventually Olga made a good career choice and took training as a model in Moscow. By age 16, Olga Kurylenko was ready for the next step. She moved to Paris, learned French in six months, and was signed by the Madison agency.

At age 18, Olga Kurylenko appeared on the cover of Glamour, then she graced magazine covers of Elle, Madame Figaro, Marie Claire, and Vogue, and also became the face of Lejaby lingerie, Bebe clothing, Clarins and Helena Rubinstein cosmetic companies.