Few Strictly Come Dancing professionals have made as graceful a transition from the ballroom to family life as Pasha Kovalev. The Russian dancer, who won the Glitterball Trophy in 2014 with Caroline Flack, now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, mathematician Rachel Riley, and their two young daughters.

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Date of Birth: 19 January 1980 ·
Nationality: Russian ·
Known For: Professional Latin and ballroom dancer, Strictly Come Dancing professional ·
Spouse: Rachel Riley (married 2019) ·
Children: 2 (daughters born 2019, 2021) ·
Strictly Win: Series 12 (2014) with Caroline Flack

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth (no reliable public disclosure)
  • Specific religious beliefs
  • Whether he will return to TV dance shows
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continuing dance and choreography projects
  • Growing Rise Up With Arts organization
  • Focusing on family life in Los Angeles

The facts below trace Kovalev’s arc from a young dancer in the USSR to a Strictly champion, then a husband and father in the US.

Label Value
Full Name Pavel Kovalev
Date of Birth 19 January 1980
Place of Birth USSR (now Russia)
Profession Professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer
Spouse Rachel Riley (m. 2019)
Children Two daughters (born 2019, 2021)
Years Active on Strictly 2011–2018 (Series 9 to 16)
Strictly Win Series 12 (2014) with Caroline Flack
Height 5 ft 10 in (approx. 1.78 m)
Known For Ballroom dancing, Strictly Come Dancing

Are Riley and Pasha still together?

Current marital status of Riley and Kovalev

Yes, Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev remain married as of 2025. The couple wed in Las Vegas on 28 June 2019, as reported by The Independent (UK news outlet). There have been no public reports of separation or divorce. In a 2025 interview, Riley told Entertainment Daily (celebrity news site) that the family is “done” having children, indicating the couple is settled in their family life.

How they balance family and public life

  • The family lives in Los Angeles, away from the intense UK media spotlight.
  • Riley continues her TV work on Countdown and other projects, while Kovalev focuses on dance and the arts organization Rise Up With Arts.
  • They keep their children’s identities largely private, rarely sharing photos on social media.
Why this matters

The couple’s stability is a contrast to the often-turbulent relationships among Strictly couples. Kovalev and Riley have built a low-key family life that prioritizes privacy over publicity.

The implication: for a couple who met on a dance show, they’ve managed to sustain a marriage that feels grounded and intentional.

How many children does Pasha Kovalev have?

Names and birth years of Pasha Kovalev’s children

Kovalev and Riley have two daughters. Their first child was born on 15 December 2019, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). Their second daughter arrived on 5 November 2021, per the same source. The children’s names, Maven and Noa, have been reported by Entertainment Daily (celebrity news site).

How the couple approached parenting during the pandemic

  • Both daughters were born in Los Angeles, where the family relocated from the UK.
  • Riley has spoken about the challenges of raising young children during COVID-19 lockdowns, noting that Kovalev’s hands-on parenting helped them cope.
Bottom line: The Kovalev-Riley family has two daughters, born in 2019 and 2021. For parents considering a similar move abroad, the couple’s experience shows that relocating can strengthen family bonds when done with intention.

The catch: the couple has said they are done having children, so the family is complete at four.

Has Pasha Kovalev been married before?

Pasha Kovalev’s relationship history prior to Rachel Riley

No, Pasha Kovalev has never been married before Rachel Riley. Before his marriage, he had a long personal and professional relationship with dancer Anya Garnis. The two moved to the United States together in 2001, according to the Strictly Come Dancing Wiki (fan wiki). They competed together on So You Think You Can Dance in 2007 and later appeared as dance partners on Strictly Come Dancing.

His long-term partnership with Anya Garnis

  • Kovalev and Garnis were never married, despite persistent rumors.
  • They continue to collaborate professionally, co-founding Rise Up With Arts in 2021.

The pattern: Kovalev’s relationships have been intertwined with his dance career, but his marriage to Riley marks a clear separation between work and family.

How did Rachel Riley meet Pasha Kovalev?

Their first meeting on Strictly Come Dancing (2013)

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev first met in 2013 when she was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing Series 11 and he was partnered with her as her professional dance partner, as reported by The Independent (UK news outlet). They did not win that series, but the connection was immediate.

From dance partners to life partners

  • They began dating after the series ended in 2013.
  • They kept their relationship private for several years.
  • They married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas on 28 June 2019.
The upshot

The Strictly “curse” is often blamed for breakups, but for Riley and Kovalev, the show created a partnership that led to marriage and a family.

The trade-off: meeting on a reality show means their relationship started under public scrutiny, but they’ve successfully shielded their private life from the spotlight.

What does Pasha Kovalev do for a living?

Latest projects and ventures outside Strictly

Pasha Kovalev is a professional dancer and choreographer. After leaving Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, he has stayed active in the entertainment world. He appeared in the TV movie Paris Christmas Waltz in 2023, and has made guest appearances on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. He also co-founded the Rise Up With Arts organization with Anya Garnis in 2021, which aims to uplift and inspire through dance and music, according to SundayReport.uk (news aggregator).

His work with the arts organization ‘Rise Up With Arts’

  • The organization provides dance workshops and performance opportunities for young dancers.
  • Kovalev and Garnis use their extensive competition experience to mentor the next generation.
  • Based in the US, the program has both in-person and online components.

The implication: Kovalev is not just a former Strictly pro; he’s building a legacy as a teacher and arts advocate.

What is Pasha Kovalev doing now?

Current residence and family life in Los Angeles

Kovalev resides in Los Angeles with his wife Rachel Riley and their two daughters. He continues to perform and teach dance, but family life is the priority. The family moved to the US after his Strictly run ended, seeking a quieter life away from the UK tabloid scene.

Recent dance and theater projects

  • He has performed in live dance events and workshops.
  • He remains involved with Rise Up With Arts, which runs regular programs.
  • He has not ruled out returning to television, but for now, his focus is on his family and the arts organization.

The pattern: Kovalev has deliberately stepped away from the high-pressure TV dance world to build a sustainable career on his own terms.

How did Pasha Kovalev win Strictly Come Dancing?

Series 12 win with Caroline Flack in 2014

Pasha Kovalev won the 12th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 with his celebrity partner Caroline Flack, as confirmed by the BBC (public broadcaster). They received the Glitterball Trophy after a series of standout performances.

Notable performances and dances

  • Their quickstep to “I’m Still Standing” was a fan favorite.
  • They scored a perfect 40 for their showdance.
  • The win was particularly emotional because Flack had been a frontrunner from the start.

Kovalev had previously reached the final in Series 9 with Chelsee Healey (finishing second) and again in later series with Kimberley Walsh and Ashley Roberts. The win with Flack cemented his status as a top Strictly professional.

Bottom line: Kovalev’s Strictly win was the peak of his TV career. For fans wondering if he’ll compete again, the answer is likely no — he’s moved on to new challenges.

Timeline: Pasha Kovalev’s life and career

  • 19 January 1980 – Born in the USSR.
  • Age 8 – Began dancing.
  • 2000s – Moved to the US and competed internationally.
  • 2009 – Appeared on US show Superstars of Dance.
  • 2011 (Series 9) – Joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional.
  • 2013 (Series 11) – Partnered with Rachel Riley.
  • 2014 (Series 12) – Won Strictly with Caroline Flack (BBC).
  • 28 June 2019 – Married Rachel Riley in Las Vegas (The Independent).
  • December 2019 – First daughter born.
  • 2018 (Series 16) – Last season as a Strictly professional.
  • 2021 – Co-founded Rise Up With Arts with Anya Garnis (SundayReport.uk).
  • 2021 – Second daughter born.
  • 2023 – Appeared in TV movie Paris Christmas Waltz.

The timeline shows a clear arc: from competitive dancer to TV star to family man and arts entrepreneur.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Pasha Kovalev is married to Rachel Riley.
  • He has two daughters.
  • He won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 with Caroline Flack.
  • He was born on 19 January 1980 in the USSR.
  • He co-founded Rise Up With Arts with Anya Garnis.

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth (no reliable public source).
  • Specific details about his religious beliefs.
  • Whether he will return to TV dance shows in the future.

In their own words

We’re done [having children]. Two is enough for us.

— Rachel Riley, in a 2025 interview with Entertainment Daily (celebrity news site)

The mission of Rise Up With Arts is to uplift and inspire through dance and music.

— Pasha Kovalev, as stated on the Rise Up With Arts website (via SundayReport.uk)

These quotes underscore the two main pillars of Kovalev’s current life: family and arts education.

What’s next for Pasha Kovalev?

Kovalev has found a balance that eludes many former reality TV stars. He’s built a family, relocated to a new country, and launched a meaningful arts organization. For fans of Strictly Come Dancing, the hope of seeing him return to the dance floor remains, but for now, his focus on fatherhood and Rise Up With Arts suggests a different kind of legacy. The consequence for Kovalev is clear: he has traded the glitz of the ballroom for the quiet satisfaction of a life built on his own terms.

Related reading: Jordan Wyn-Jones: Estranged Husband of Karen Hauer · Judge Rinder: Age, Net Worth, Partner & Why He Doesn’t Wear a Wig

Additional sources

imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, bbc.co.uk, es.wikipedia.org, donaheys.co.uk, strictlystats.com, beyondthetitle.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

Are Riley and Pasha still together?

Yes, Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev are still married as of 2025. They wed in 2019 and have two children.

How many children does Pasha Kovalev have?

He has two daughters, born in 2019 and 2021.

Has Pasha Kovalev been married before?

No, he has never been married before. He had a long-term relationship with dancer Anya Garnis, but they were not married.

How did Rachel Riley meet Pasha Kovalev?

They met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 when Riley was a contestant and Kovalev was her professional partner.

What does Pasha Kovalev do for a living?

He is a professional dancer and choreographer. He also co-founded the arts organization Rise Up With Arts.

What is Pasha Kovalev doing now?

He lives in Los Angeles with his family, teaches dance, runs Rise Up With Arts, and occasionally appears in TV projects.

Did Pasha Kovalev win Strictly Come Dancing?

Yes, he won Series 12 in 2014 with Caroline Flack.

How tall is Pasha Kovalev?

He is approximately 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).