Pasha Kovalev, a Russian-born professional Latin and ballroom dancer, became a household name in the UK as a star professional on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. From his early start in Siberia to lifting the Glitterball Trophy in 2014 with Caroline Flack, Kovalev’s journey is a story of talent, hard work, and a very public romance with television presenter Rachel Riley. But what is he doing now, and what do we really know about his net worth, height, and personal life? This article separates verified facts from the gaps.
Now in his mid‑forties, Kovalev remains active in dance, running his own company and touring the UK. He is also a father of two young daughters. Despite a high‑profile career, several details about his life—such as his exact earnings and religious views—remain private. Here is a comprehensive look at the man behind the dance.
What Is Pasha Kovalev Doing Now?
Pavel “Pasha” Kovalev
19 January 1980 (age 46)
Professional Latin & Ballroom Dancer, Choreographer
Strictly Come Dancing (Champion 2014), Marriage to Rachel Riley
Is Pasha Kovalev Still on Strictly Come Dancing?
No. Kovalev left the BBC show after the 2018 series (Series 16). He was a professional dancer from Series 9 (2011) through Series 16, winning the Glitterball Trophy in 2014 with Caroline Flack and reaching the final three other times. His departure marked the end of an era on the programme.
What Are Pasha Kovalev’s Latest Projects? (2025 Update)
Since leaving Strictly, Kovalev has focused on live performance and his own dance company. He toured the UK for six years with sell‑out shows, choreographed the film Paris Christmas Waltz (2023), and is currently touring in La Bamba: The Musical. He also founded a dance company in 2021, with an Instagram bio reading: “We started in 2021 with a dream to uplift and inspire.” His social media, including his Instagram profile, continues to show live performances and workshops.
Kovalev remains professionally active in 2025. He performs with his dance company, appears in West End shows such as Here Come The Boys, and teaches workshops. No official announcement of a return to Strictly has been made.
Who Is Pasha Kovalev Married To? (Rachel Riley and Family)
How Did Pasha Kovalev and Rachel Riley Meet?
Kovalev and Rachel Riley, the mathematician and Countdown presenter, met when he was her professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 (Series 11). They were eliminated in week six, but a romance blossomed off‑screen. They began dating in 2014 and were married on June 28, 2019.
Does Pasha Kovalev Have Children?
Yes. He and Riley have two daughters: Maven Aria, born December 15, 2019, and Noa, born in November 2021.
Who Are Pasha Kovalev’s Past Girlfriends?
Kovalev has kept his dating history largely private. The only notable long‑term partnership publicly known is with his former professional dance partner, Anya Garnis, whom he met as a teenager in Siberia. They moved to the United States together in 2001 and remained dance partners until around 2014. No other past girlfriends have been confirmed by reputable sources.
Kovalev’s only publicly confirmed romantic relationship before Rachel Riley was his professional and personal partnership with Anya Garnis, which lasted many years but was never formalised as marriage.
What Is Pasha Kovalev’s Strictly Come Dancing Legacy?
When Did Pasha Join Strictly and Who Were His Partners?
Kovalev joined Strictly in Series 9 (2011) as a professional dancer. Over eight series, he partnered with:
- 2011 – Chelsee Healey (runner‑up)
- 2012 – Kimberley Walsh (runner‑up)
- 2013 – Rachel Riley (eliminated week six)
- 2014 – Caroline Flack (champion)
- 2015 – Carol Kirkwood (sixth place)
- 2016 – Naga Munchetty (tenth place)
- 2017 – Chizzy Akudolu (eliminated week three)
- 2018 – Ashley Roberts (runner‑up)
His partnership with Caroline Flack in 2014 remains his greatest achievement on the show, producing a memorable series of dances that culminated in a well‑deserved victory.
What Is Pasha Kovalev’s Height and Dance Background?
Kovalev stands 5′ 11″ (1.80 m) according to his IMDb bio. However, his height is not listed on official pages such as Wikipedia or the BBC, so the figure is not independently verified by multiple authoritative sources. He began dancing at age eight after his mother took him to a ballroom competition. He went on to become a US National Latin Finalist, an Ohio Star Ball Finalist, and a finalist on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance in 2007.
What Is Pasha Kovalev’s Net Worth and Early Life?
What Is Pasha Kovalev’s Net Worth in 2025?
No official net worth figure is publicly available for Pasha Kovalev. Estimates from fans and entertainment analysts suggest a range between $1 million and $3 million, based on his Strictly earnings, Broadway work (Burn The Floor), UK tours, and his own dance company. But these figures remain unverified. Kovalev has never disclosed his finances publicly.
All net worth figures cited for Kovalev are speculative. No authoritative source – including BBC, IMDB, or Wikipedia – provides a confirmed number.
What Is Pasha Kovalev’s Religion?
Kovalev has not discussed his religious beliefs in any known interview or public statement. No reliable source documents his faith. He is known for secular, progressive views and has expressed support for peace between Ukraine and Russia following the 2022 invasion.
How Old Is Pasha Kovalev?
He was born on January 19, 1980, making him 46 years old as of 2025.
Pasha Kovalev: A Timeline of Key Life Events
- 1980 – Born 19 January in Komsomolsk‑na‑Amure, Far East Siberia, Russia.
- 1988 – Started dancing at age eight after his mother took him to a ballroom competition.
- 2001 – Moved to the United States with professional partner Anya Garnis.
- 2007 – Became a finalist on the American So You Think You Can Dance; later choreographed for every season.
- 2011 – Joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer (Series 9).
- 2014 – Won the twelfth series of Strictly with Caroline Flack; began dating Rachel Riley.
- 2019 – Married Rachel Riley on June 28; left Strictly after the 2018 series.
- 2021 – Launched his own dance company, Pasha Kovalev Dance.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Pasha Kovalev?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date and early life (Wikipedia, BBC) | Exact net worth (no official disclosure) |
| Strictly participation and 2014 win (BBC) | Height – 5′ 11″ cited by IMDb but not by Wikipedia or BBC |
| Marriage to Rachel Riley (multiple news sources) | Religion – not publicly discussed |
| Two daughters (public announcements) | Past girlfriends beyond Anya Garnis – not confirmed |
Understanding Pasha Kovalev’s Career and Public Profile
Kovalev’s career spans more than two decades of professional ballroom and Latin dance. He rose to international fame through Strictly Come Dancing, where his partnership with Caroline Flack led to a memorable victory in 2014. Since leaving the show, he has transitioned into entrepreneurship, running his own dance company and producing live shows. His marriage to Rachel Riley, a fellow TV personality, has kept him in the public eye, and the couple frequently share family milestones on social media. The lack of verified data on height, net worth, and religion reflects the private nature of certain aspects of his life.
What Do Official Sources Say About Pasha Kovalev?
A member of the Strictly family since series nine, and one‑time champion alongside Caroline Flack in 2014, Pasha is aiming for greatness once again this year!
BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile (archived)
We started in 2021 with a dream to uplift and inspire. We continue in 2022 to make the arts accessible to all bringing together exceptional talent from every…
Pasha Kovalev Instagram bio
Pasha was born and raised in the Far East of Siberia, Russia and started to dance at the age of 8.
Olivia Bell Talent Agency profile
What Is the Takeaway on Pasha Kovalev?
Pasha Kovalev remains a respected figure in professional dance, with a decorated Strictly career and a growing entrepreneurial portfolio. While his net worth and some personal details are not publicly confirmed, his professional achievements and family life are well‑documented. For the most current updates on his activities, following his official social media or checking Strictly Come Dancing winners coverage is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasha Kovalev
Does Pasha Kovalev have a religion?
Pasha Kovalev has not publicly discussed his religious beliefs, and no authoritative source confirms his religion. It is considered private information.
What is Pasha Kovalev’s height?
Pasha Kovalev’s height is listed as 5′ 11″ (1.80 m) on IMDb, but not on Wikipedia or the BBC. Other common figures from fan sites are unconfirmed.
Who were Pasha Kovalev’s past girlfriends before Rachel Riley?
His only publicly known long‑term partner is former dance partner Anya Garnis. No other names have been confirmed by reputable media.
Is Pasha Kovalev still dancing professionally?
Yes, as of 2025, he continues to perform and teach through his own dance company, with live shows and workshops.
How many children does Pasha Kovalev have?
He has two daughters with Rachel Riley: Maven Aria (born December 2019) and Noa (born November 2021).
Did Pasha Kovalev win Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes, he won the 2014 series with Caroline Flack. He also finished runner‑up three times (2011, 2012, 2018).
What is Pasha Kovalev doing now in 2025?
He tours the UK with his dance company, choreographs, and performs in stage productions like La Bamba: The Musical.
Amelia Grant is Technology & Media Editor at NewsPrism.co.uk, covering AI, platforms, cybersecurity, consumer tech and the media landscape.