LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova 's life has been a classic rags-to-riches fairytale , taking her from poverty in provincial Russia to a cosmopolitan life of wealth and aristocracy . Supermodel Natalia Vodianova was discovered in Moscow in a classic rags-to-riches tale . Her intelligence , poise and charm ( as well as stunning features and long limbs ) , have propelled her from anonymity to being one of the most recognizable and respected models in the fashion industry . Her success has earned her the nickname Supernova . Not content to grace the covers of glossy magazines and the catwalks of the world 's glamorous fashion capitals , Vodianova has also carved a role as a philanthropist . In 2005 she founded the Naked Heart Foundation , a charity that builds playgrounds for children across Russia . `` Giving back just feels so great and I always try to open each play park with myself being present for the children because it makes it more special for them . I go to very remote parts of Russia that are far from Moscow and it gives these children an extra message of love , '' she told CNN . Vodianova was born on February 28 1982 in Nizhni Novgorod , the fourth largest city in Russia . She lived in a poor district of the city with her mother and two sisters , one of whom has cerebral palsy . Watch Natalia Vodianova take CNN on a tour of Moscow » . The young Vodianova was regularly taken to the opera and the ballet by her grandparents . They offered some respite from the troubles at home and taught her the importance of manners . When Vodianova was 11 she began to help out on the family 's fruit stall , and at the age of 15 she had moved into her own apartment with her best friend . `` It was a lot of survival and a lot of struggling but overall we were a good team , '' Vodianova told CNN . `` We worked really hard , all of us , and stood up for each other . My mum was amazing -- she lived for us . I appreciate what she has done for me and the way she raised me '' In 1999 a Parisian model scout held an open casting in Nizhni Novgorod . Vodianova impressed him and he sent her to Paris to sign with Viva Models on the condition that she learn English within three months . Luckily for her she took his advice . A year later Vodianova would find herself settled in Paris and sitting at a dinner party in the Pompidou Center restaurant . It was there she met artistic , English aristocratic playboy the Honorable Justin Portman , third son of the late Viscount Edward Henry Berkeley Portman . See Natalia Vodianova 's life in front of the camera . » . The Portman family is one of the wealthiest in Britain , owning over 100 acres of prime land in central London and 3000 acres in Herefordshire , as well as expansive properties in Antigua and Australia . The pair fell in love and after a quick civil wedding Vodianova gave birth to their first child , Lucas , in December 2001 , when she was still only 19 . Vodianova lost a huge amount of weight after the birth and just a few weeks later at the castings for Paris Fashion Week she was the clear favorite among the designers . She opened and closed the prestigious Yves Saint Laurent show , as well as 40 other runway bookings and landed a Gucci perfume campaign , shot by iconic fashion photographer Mario Testino . On September 1 2002 Vodianova and Portman were married again , this time in a ceremony at St Vladimir 's Cathedral in St Petersburg , followed by a lavish reception for 110 guests at the Palace of Catherine the Great . Over the next few years two more children followed . Her daughter Neva was born in March 2006 and another son , Viktor , was born in September 2007 . Vodianova still found time to walk the runway for the world 's great fashion houses , including Chanel , Givenchy , Versace , Balenciaga , Prada , Ralph Lauren , Christian Lacroix , Dolce & Gabbana , Gucci and her good friend Diane Von Furstenberg . She `` officially '' retired from the catwalk after Valentino 's emotional final show , during the Spring/Summer 2008 season . Afterwards , Vodianova took Valentino for a well-deserved holiday to her much-loved city of Moscow . `` Moscow is the heart of my country so it gathers the best of what I love about my country - and I can find it all here in this place . I love the people , I love what I find here , I love being here and it 's sad that I do n't actually live here . It would be my dream '' Vodianova told CNN . Following a brief return to the catwalk for Diane Von Furstenberg and Balenciaga at the end of 2008 the supermodel is now fronting campaigns for Calvin Klein and David Yurman jewelry . At the age of 27 Natalia Vodianova has achieved more than most people could ever dream of . She 's got age on her side , as well as beauty , fame and fortune , and yet she remains admirably grounded . `` The most important things to me are my children , my family and my husband . It 's really about people in general -- I really love people and I try to never say no if someone needs my help . ''
Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova grew up in a poor family . Her charity , the ` ` Naked Heart Foundation , '' builds playgrounds in Russia . She is married to English actor Justin Long and has two children . Vodianova now shoots campaigns for Calvin Klein and David Yurman ##s .