Maksim Chmerkovskiy Wife: Marriage, Family Life, and Love Story

If you’ve searched for Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s wife, you’re likely curious about the woman who shares life with one of Dancing with the Stars’ most recognizable pros. Maksim Chmerkovskiy is married to fellow dancer Peta Murgatroyd, and their relationship has unfolded in a very public arena—yet in a way that still feels grounded and real. Their story includes years of professional overlap, a romance that took time to find its footing, and a family life that has grown steadily alongside their careers.

Who Is Maksim Chmerkovskiy?

Maksim “Maks” Chmerkovskiy is a world-renowned ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality best known for his long run on Dancing with the Stars. Born in Odesa and raised in the United States, he built his reputation through competitive ballroom before becoming a household name on television.

On DWTS, Maks became known for his intensity, honesty, and high standards—traits that earned him devoted fans and occasional controversy. After several near-misses, he finally won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 18. Over time, his public image evolved from the show’s “tough guy” to a more reflective mentor and performer, especially as his personal life took center stage in quieter ways.

Who Is Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Wife?

Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s wife is Peta Murgatroyd, a professional dancer in her own right and a fan favorite on Dancing with the Stars. Originally from New Zealand and raised largely in Australia, Peta joined the show years after Maks and quickly made her mark with expressive performances and strong partnerships.

What makes their marriage distinctive is that both partners fully understand the demands of the same profession. They know what rehearsal schedules look like, what touring takes out of you, and how public opinion can shift overnight. That shared experience has shaped how they support one another, both on and off the dance floor.

How Maksim Chmerkovskiy Met His Wife

Maks and Peta didn’t meet and instantly become a couple. Their paths crossed years before they ever dated, through shared dance projects and professional circles. Early on, their relationship was more collegial than romantic.

Over time, as they worked together more closely within the Dancing with the Stars world, their connection deepened. Friendship came first, followed by attraction and, eventually, a relationship. That gradual evolution is a big part of why their story resonates with fans—it wasn’t rushed, staged, or designed for headlines.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Wife Marriage Timeline

Their romantic relationship became public in 2012, but it didn’t move in a straight line. The couple briefly split in 2013, a period both have later described as necessary for growth and clarity. Rather than ending the story, that pause helped them better understand what they wanted.

They reunited soon after, and in 2015 Maks proposed. Two years later, in July 2017, they married in a ceremony that reflected their personalities: elegant, expressive, and celebratory without feeling overproduced.

Since then, their marriage has been marked less by spectacle and more by consistency. They’ve continued to work in the same industry while making deliberate choices about family and balance.

Family Life and Children

Family has become a central part of Maksim and Peta’s life together. They are parents to three sons, and each new chapter has reshaped their priorities in visible ways.

Their first son, Shai Aleksander, was born in January 2017, just months before their wedding. Becoming parents before marriage set the tone for a relationship built on responsibility and teamwork rather than tradition for tradition’s sake.

In 2023, they welcomed their second son, Rio John, after being open about fertility challenges and the emotional complexity of expanding their family. In 2024, their third son, Milan Maksim, was born, completing a season of significant growth for their household.

Peta has spoken candidly about motherhood, pregnancy, and fertility, which has helped many fans feel seen in their own experiences. Maks, in turn, has embraced a more openly nurturing public role, often talking about how fatherhood has changed his perspective.

Life in the Spotlight as a Dance Power Couple

As a married couple who share the same profession, Maks and Peta occupy a unique space. They occasionally work together, appear together at industry events, and comment on Dancing with the Stars as insiders rather than just alumni.

At the same time, they’ve been careful not to turn their marriage into a constant performance. While they share milestones and meaningful updates, they don’t overshare daily life. That balance allows fans to feel connected without turning their relationship into content.

Their public dynamic often highlights humor and honesty. Peta’s openness pairs well with Maks’s bluntness, and together they come across less like a polished brand and more like two strong personalities learning to coexist and grow.

Challenges and Growth as a Couple

What makes their relationship feel natural is that it hasn’t been presented as flawless. They’ve navigated public scrutiny, career pressures, temporary separation, and the emotional weight of family planning—all while remaining in the public eye.

Timing was one of their earliest challenges. Meeting early in their careers didn’t mean they were ready to commit immediately. It took years, distance, and reflection for both to recognize what they wanted long term.

They’ve also faced the pressure that comes with public visibility. Fans can be invested, opinionated, and sometimes intrusive. Learning where to draw boundaries—especially once children entered the picture—has been part of their evolution as a couple.