Born: 1984 (Pskov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union)
Biography:
Yulia Sergeevna Peresild was a Russian stage actress, singer, and cosmonaut. She was born on September 5, 1984, in Pskov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Peresild’s father was an icon painter and her mother worked in a kindergarten. Her surname comes from her Estonian paternal great-grandparents who were deported to the Russian SFSR.
Peresild completed her secondary education at school No.24 in Pskov in 2001. Afterward, she enrolled in the Faculty of Russian Philology at the Pskov State Pedagogical Institute. However, after just one year of study, she decided to pursue her passion for acting and moved to Moscow to join a theater university. In 2006, Peresild graduated from the acting department of the directing department of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts.
Her career in the arts began to take off in 2007 when she started performing as a guest actress in the State Theatre of Nations. She also collaborated with the Moscow Theater School of the Modern Play, the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre in Moscow, and the Theater Company of Yevgeny Mironov. Peresild gained recognition for her acting skills and versatility, which led to opportunities in television and film.
Peresild made her acting debut in the 2003 television series Land, directed by Aleksandr Baranov, where she portrayed the character Natasha Kublakova. Her breakthrough roles came in films such as The Bride (2006), where she played Olya Rodyashina, and Captive (2008), directed by Alexei Uchitel. However, it was her role as Sofia in the drama film The Edge (2010), also directed by Alexei Uchitel, that established her as a prominent actress in the industry.
She continued to build her reputation with notable supporting roles in films like In the Fog (2012) directed by Sergei Loznitsa and Battle for Sevastopol (2015), where she portrayed Soviet Sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko. These performances showcased Peresild’s range and ability to bring complex characters to life on the screen.
In addition to her success in the entertainment industry, Peresild embarked on a groundbreaking journey as a cosmonaut. She was selected as a member of the crew for the Soyuz MS-19 mission, launched on October 5, 2021. The mission was part of the scientific and educational project called The Challenge: The First in Space. Peresild’s participation in the mission allowed her to film scenes for the feature film The Challenge. This achievement made her the first professional actress to act in outer space.
During her time in space, Peresild lived and worked on the International Space Station (ISS). She became the fifth woman in the history of the Soviet Union and Russia to travel to space, following Valentina Tereshkova, Svetlana Savitskaya, Yelena Kondakova, and Yelena Serova. Her historic journey not only showcased her courage and determination but also paved the way for more women to participate in space exploration.
Peresild’s inspiring career and achievements have had a significant impact on society, breaking barriers and challenging traditional gender roles. Through her talent and dedication, she has become a role model for aspiring actors and young women interested in pursuing careers in science and space exploration. Her journey highlights the power of perseverance and the endless possibilities that await those who dare to dream.