All The Babes
Ruslana Korshunova
Also known as Ruslana Sergeyevna Korshunova, Russian Rapunzel
- Born
- Jul 2, 1987
- height
- 5'9" (or 175 cm)
- body type
- Slim
- nationality
- Kazakhstani
Career
Active 2003 – 2008
Biography
About Ruslana Korshunova
Ruslana Korshunova was a Kazakhstani model whose career was as brief as it was brilliant. Born in Almaty, Kazakh SSR, she was discovered at 15, when a photo of her at a German language club appeared in All Asia magazine. That picture caught the eye of a scout from Models 1, who signed her on the spot. Nicknamed the Russian Rapunzel for her knee-length chestnut hair, she quickly rose through the ranks of the fashion world. Over five years, she worked with top brands and appeared in major magazines, including the covers of French Elle and Polish and Russian Vogue. British Vogue called her "a face to be excited about" in 2005.
Her death on June 28, 2008, at age 20, remains a source of controversy. She fell from the ninth-floor balcony of her Manhattan apartment, and police ruled it a suicide, though no note was found. Friends said she seemed "on top of the world" after returning from a Paris gig, and her mother refused to accept the official verdict. Conspiracy theories swirled, suggesting a murder linked to a modeling prostitution ring, but no evidence supported that claim. In the months before her death, Korshunova had attended sessions at Rose of the World, a controversial personal development group. She wrote in March: "I'm so lost. Will I ever find myself?" Her friend, model Anastasia Drozdova, who also attended the group, died by suicide a year later. Some experts argue such groups can be psychologically damaging, especially for vulnerable individuals.
Korshunova was 5'9" tall with blonde hair and blue eyes, and she had a slim build with measurements 33-24-33. She was buried in Moscow, a city she loved. Her story has been the subject of documentaries and ongoing public fascination, not just because of her beauty but because of the unresolved questions surrounding her untimely death.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Died
- Saturday 28th of June 2008 (age 20)
- Years Active
- 2003-2008 (started around 15 years old; 5 years active)
- Birthplace
- Almaty, Kazakh SSR, Kazakhstan
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
Body
- Hair Color
- Blonde
- Eye Color
- Blue
- Weight
- 127 lbs (or 58 kg)
- Measurements
- 33–24–33 (B–W–H) · WHR 0.73
- Bra/Cup Size
- B
- Boobs
- Real/Natural
Extra
- Instagram Followers
- 5k (as of May 2026)
Frequently asked
How was Ruslana Korshunova discovered?
She was discovered in 2003 when a photograph of her at a German language club in Almaty appeared in All Asia magazine. A scout from Models 1 saw the photo and signed the 15-year-old.
What was Korshunova's nickname and why?
She was called the Russian Rapunzel because of her long, knee-length chestnut hair in her early work.
What did Korshunova say on social media before her death?
In March 2008, she posted: "I'm so lost. Will I ever find myself?" It was one of several messages that appeared brokenhearted and angry.
What role did Rose of the World play in Korshunova's life?
She spent three months at the controversial Moscow-based training group before her death. A friend who also attended, Anastasia Drozdova, died by suicide in similar circumstances, and friends reported behavioral changes in both women.
Why did her mother doubt the suicide ruling?
Her mother, Valentina, said Ruslana had talked about quitting modeling a year earlier but seemed fine recently. She believed Ruslana would have told her if she had problems, so she did not accept the official conclusion.
Did you know
- Korshunova was discovered at 15 after a photo of her at a German language club appeared in All Asia magazine.
- Her former boyfriend said they watched Ghost together hours before her death, and he felt she "came to say goodbye."
- The concierge and a mortician both noted her hair looked shorter and unevenly cut after death, fueling speculation.
- She planned to celebrate her 21st birthday in Pennsylvania, but died three days before.
- Her friend, model Anastasia Drozdova, also attended Rose of the World and died by suicide under similar circumstances in 2009.
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