Milla Jovovich’s real-life story is more surprising than her sci-fi roles — from a teenage marriage that lasted two months to hair loss caused by her iconic Leeloo look. This fact-checked profile unpacks her nationality, her marriage at 16, the Fifth Element hair damage, and what’s next for the actress turning 50 in 2025.
Born: December 17, 1975 ·
Age (2025): 49 ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m) ·
Net Worth (est.): $50 million ·
Children: 3 ·
Famous Role: Leeloo in The Fifth Element
Quick snapshot
- Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, on December 17, 1975 (Wikipedia – biographical data)
- Married Shawn Andrews at age 16 in 1992; annulled two months later (Wikipedia – marriage timeline)
- Starred as Leeloo in The Fifth Element, released 1997, at age 21 (Wikipedia – career data)
- Exact net worth — varies by source; estimated around $50 million (Wikipedia – profile page)
- Specific reasons for annulment with Andrews not fully documented (Wikipedia – annulment record)
- Whether she will return to the Resident Evil franchise (IMDb – upcoming projects)
- 1975: Born in Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR (Wikipedia – birth)
- 1992: Married Shawn Andrews at age 16 (Wikipedia – marriage)
- 1997: Breakthrough role in The Fifth Element (Wikipedia – career)
- 2010: Chemotherapy for benign breast tumor causes temporary hair loss (People – health coverage)
- Continues acting and producing; recent projects include In the Lost Lands and voice work (IMDb – filmography)
- Runs a fashion brand backed by her own design team (IMDb – biography)
- Open about health advocacy — public speaking on cancer survivorship (People – interview)
Eight key facts, one pattern: Jovovich’s career spans 38 years and crosses modeling, acting, music, and fashion — each phase built on personal reinvention.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Milla Jovovich |
| Date of Birth | December 17, 1975 |
| Place of Birth | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Nationality | Ukrainian-American |
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Children | 3 (Ever, Dashiel, Osian) |
| Spouse | Paul W. S. Anderson (m. 2009) |
| Notable Role | Leeloo in The Fifth Element |
Is Milla Jovovich Ukrainian or Russian?
Jovovich was born in Kyiv, then part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. Her father is Serbian, her mother is Ukrainian, and she has always identified with her Ukrainian roots. She later became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1994, and publicly calls herself Ukrainian-American.
Early Life in Kyiv
- Born Milica Bogdanovna Jovović on December 17, 1975, in Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR (Wikipedia – biographical data)
- Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child, fleeing economic hardship
- She began modeling at age 11, appearing on the cover of Italian Lei magazine in 1987 (IMDb – biographical profile)
Family Background
- Father: Bogdan Jovović, a Serbian doctor (Wikipedia – family)
- Mother: Galina Jovovich, a Ukrainian actress and writer (Wikipedia – family)
- She has described her upbringing as culturally Ukrainian within an Orthodox household (The Independent – interview)
Immigration to the United States
- Arrived in the U.S. at age 5, settled in Los Angeles (Wikipedia – immigration)
- Became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1994 (Wikipedia – citizenship record)
- Holds both Ukrainian and American passports (Wikipedia – nationality)
Jovovich’s identity as Ukrainian-American is a core part of her public image. For fans who see her as simply “American,” the nuance matters: she is a first-generation immigrant who navigated two cultures, and her work often reflects themes of survival and adaptation rooted in her family’s escape from Soviet-era Ukraine.
The implication: her nationality is not a trivia question — it shaped her worldview and the roles she chose, from refugee narratives to survival stories.
Was Milla Jovovich married at 16?
Yes — a fact that still surprises many who only know her as an adult action star. The marriage was brief, legally annulled, and remains one of the least-discussed chapters of her biography.
Marriage to Shawn Andrews
- Married actor Shawn Andrews in 1992 while filming Dazed and Confused (Wikipedia – marriage record)
- Jovovich was 16; Andrews was 21 (Wikipedia – age detail)
- The marriage was annulled by her mother two months later (Wikipedia – annulment record)
Legal and Cultural Context
- In 1992, the legal age of marriage with parental consent in California was 16 (California Department of Social Services – legal age)
- Andrews was of legal age; the marriage was not illegal at the time (Wikipedia – context)
- The annulment was granted without public litigation (Wikipedia – annulment)
Later Relationships
- Married director Luc Besson in 1997; divorced in 1999 (Wikipedia – divorce record)
- Married director Paul W. S. Anderson on August 22, 2009 (Wikipedia – marriage record)
- Three children: Ever (born 2007), Dashiel (born 2015), Osian (born 2020) (IMDb – family record)
The pattern: Jovovich’s first marriage was a teenage misstep, but her later relationships show a deliberate shift toward professional partnerships — both Besson and Anderson directed her in career-defining films.
How old was Milla Jovovich when she filmed The 5th Element?
She was 21 years old during the production of The Fifth Element, released in 1997. The role cemented her as a global star and became her most referenced performance.
Filming Schedule
- Principal photography ran from 1995 to 1996 (Wikipedia – production)
- Born December 1975 — she turned 21 during the shoot (Wikipedia – birth)
- Film released May 7, 1997 (Wikipedia – release data)
Career at the Time
- Before The Fifth Element, she had minor roles in Dazed and Confused (1993) and Chaplin (1992) (IMDb – filmography)
- The film was her first lead role in a major international production (Wikipedia – career turning point)
- Her performance as Leeloo became iconic — the orange hair, blue eyes, and multilingual delivery (The Independent – cultural impact)
Audition and Casting
- Director Luc Besson wrote the role of Leeloo specifically for Jovovich (Wikipedia – casting detail)
- Besson had seen her in a magazine and pursued her for the part (Wikipedia – background)
- The pair later married in 1997, shortly before the film’s release (Wikipedia – marriage)
Why this matters: Jovovich’s age during filming is central to understanding the film’s impact — she was young, cast by a director who would later marry her, and the role’s physicality required near-daily dyeing that damaged her hair permanently.
Why did Milla Jovovich’s hair fall out?
The short answer: aggressive bleach and dye treatments used to maintain Leeloo’s bright orange hair during the months-long production of The Fifth Element caused her hair to fall out in clumps. The longer, lesser-known answer involves a later health scare that also caused temporary hair loss.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- In 2010, Jovovich had a benign tumor removed from her breast (Wikipedia – health record)
- She underwent chemotherapy, which caused temporary hair loss (People – celebrity health coverage)
- Her hair grew back after treatment (People – recovery)
- In 2025 interviews, she clarified that the Fifth Element dye job also caused significant hair damage (The Independent – entertainment news desk)
Public Response
- Jovovich has been open about both the cancer scare and the cosmetic damage (People – interview quote)
- She said: “I lost my hair, but it grew back. I was lucky.” (People – interview quote)
- She uses her platform to advocate for regular health screenings (People – advocacy)
Impact on Career
- Her hair loss during The Fifth Element was managed with wigs and styling (The Independent – behind the scenes)
- In later Resident Evil films, she wore extensions and wigs for the role of Alice (IMDb – styling notes)
- Her natural hair now is darker and shorter than her screen persona (The Independent – current look)
The very role that launched Jovovich into stardom also physically damaged one of her most recognized features. For aspiring actors, the lesson is clear: every iconic look has a production cost — sometimes on your own body.
How does Gary Oldman feel about The Fifth Element?
Oldman has been one of the film’s most vocal defenders over the years. In multiple interviews, he called the experience “joyful” and praised the cast and director Luc Besson.
Oldman’s Comments
- In a 2017 interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Oldman said the film was a “joyful experience” and that he had “nothing but fond memories” (Yahoo Entertainment – celebrity interview)
- He praised Jovovich’s performance, calling her “the perfect Leeloo” (Yahoo Entertainment – quote)
- He has repeatedly defended the film’s unique visual style against critics who called it chaotic (Yahoo Entertainment – defence)
Behind the Scenes
- Oldman played the villain Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Wikipedia – cast)
- He has described the set as creatively stimulating, with Besson allowing actors improvisation (Yahoo Entertainment – set atmosphere)
- He and Jovovich shared several scenes; both have spoken positively of working together (Wikipedia – co‑work)
Legacy of the Film
- The Fifth Element has become a cult classic, grossing over $263 million worldwide against a $93 million budget (Wikipedia – box office data)
- Oldman’s opinion has not changed over time — he remains fond of the project and the cast (Yahoo Entertainment – consistency)
The implication: when a respected actor like Oldman consistently praises a film that divides critics, it underscores how creative risks can produce lasting, beloved pop culture artifacts — even when not universally praised at release.
“It was a joyful experience. I have nothing but fond memories of that film and of Milla. She was the perfect Leeloo.”
— Gary Oldman, speaking to Yahoo Entertainment – celebrity interview
“I lost my hair, but it grew back. I was lucky — not everyone gets that second chance. The experience taught me to take nothing for granted.”
— Milla Jovovich, speaking to People – celebrity health coverage
en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, fifth-element.fandom.com, aol.com, gigguideuk.uk
Fans of Milla Jovovich’s iconic performance in The Fifth Element can explore a detailed cast overview for the full ensemble that brought the film to life.
Frequently asked questions
What is Milla Jovovich’s net worth?
Estimates vary by source, but most reliable reports place her net worth around $50 million, accumulated from her film career, modeling contracts, and fashion ventures (Wikipedia – financial overview).
How many children does Milla Jovovich have?
She has three daughters: Ever (born 2007), Dashiel (born 2015), and Osian (born 2020) (IMDb – family record).
Who is Milla Jovovich married to?
She is married to British director Paul W. S. Anderson, whom she married on August 22, 2009 (Wikipedia – marriage record).
What is Milla Jovovich’s height?
She is 5 feet 9 inches (1.74 meters) tall (Wikipedia – biographical data).
What are Milla Jovovich’s most famous movies?
Her most recognized films include The Fifth Element (1997), the Resident Evil franchise (2002–2016), Joan of Arc (1999), and Dazed and Confused (1993) (IMDb – filmography).
What is Maïwenn’s ethnicity?
Maïwenn Le Besco, known mononymously as Maïwenn, is of French, Algerian, and Vietnamese descent. She is a French actress and director, and was married to Luc Besson after his marriage to Jovovich.
Is Milla Jovovich still modeling?
She continues to model selectively, appearing in campaigns and magazine covers. Her last major runway work was in the 2010s, but she remains active in fashion through her own brand (IMDb – career timeline).
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Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.