Dancing With the Stars’ Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova: A Timeline of Their Relationship

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Dancing With the Stars' Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova: A Timeline of Their Relationship

The way they were. Gleb Savchenko and wife Elena Samodanova seemingly made a perfect match, but ultimately, they weren't able to last forever. The Dancing With the Stars pro and the Russia native wed in July 2006 and went on to welcome two daughters, Olivia and Zlata. In November 2020, the So You Think You Can Dance choreographer announced via her Instagram Story that she and Savchenko had called it quits. "After 14 years of marriage with my deepest sadness our road is coming to the end," she wrote at the time. Savchenko later confirmed the news in his own statement, telling Us Weekly, "It is with a heavy heart that I tell you my wife and I are parting ways after 14 years of marriage. We still intend to coparent our wonderful children together who we love so dearly, and we will strive to continue to be the best parents that we can to them. We ask that you respect our family's need for privacy and healing during this time." The Russian model rose to fame in 2013 when he first competed on season 16 of DWTS with partner Lisa Vanderpump. He later returned to dance with Jana Kramer in season 23, which aired in 2016. Over the next five seasons, he performed with Erika Jayne, Sasha Pieterse, basketball player Arike Ogunbowale, comedian Nikki Glaser and singer Lauren Alaina. In September 2020, the choreographer was partnered with Chrishell Stause for the 29th season of the dance competition. [jwplayer ZsHChwfw] News of Savchenko's split came shortly after he and the Selling Sunset star were eliminated from DWTS in the eighth week. After being voted off the ABC show, the Kentucky native gushed over how "therapeutic" it was to turn her focus onto her dancing and to have Savchenko by her side throughout the competition. "I know it should be a sad moment right now, because of course, I didn't want to leave, but I'm so happy that I've had this experience and I'm so grateful," she told Entertainment Tonight in November 2020. "It's a once in a lifetime experience and I'll never forget it." Nearly one year after announcing their split, the former spouses finalized their divorce in October 2021. Scroll down to relive Savchenko and Samodanova's relationship timeline. [podcast_block]

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July 2006

The Russian dancers exchanged vows in July 2006.

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November 2010

Four years after tying the knot, the dancers welcomed their first child together, daughter Olivia.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

July 2013

The duo struck a pose on the ballroom floor after spending time at a local dance competition in July 2013.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

December 2014

"Family above everything," the reality TV personality captioned a sunny selfie with Samodanova and their eldest daughter. 

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

December 2015

During the 2015 holiday season, Savchenko and Samodanova hit the dance floor together for a performance in Florida.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

June 2016

The professional dancers enjoyed some extra family time with daughter Olivia by the beach in June 2016.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

May 2017

"All because two people fell in. L❤️V👶!!!" Samodanova teased via Instagram in May 2017 as she clutched her baby bump next to a shirtless Savchenko.

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August 2017

Us exclusively confirmed in August 2017 that Samodanova had given birth to her second child, daughter Zlata. "Mother and baby are doing great and sister Olivia couldn’t be happier!" a rep told Us at the time. "Gleb was released from the Dancing with the Stars tour so he could join his family for this monumental occasion."

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October 2017

Having another baby didn't keep the pair from lighting a fire in their love life — but Samodanova wasn't worried about Savchenko's chemistry with his DWTS partners. "We've danced together for more than 10 years and we've been married more than 10 years, so we learn how to separate work and home," Savchenko told Entertainment Tonight. "That's the secret, I think. And it's been really successful so far."

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July 2018

Shortly after celebrating 12 years of marriage, the twosome opened their own dance studio in California, Pro Dance L.A. "My present, from him to me," Samodanova told Entertainment Tonight in July 2018. At the time, Savchenko hinted that he was ready to continue expanding their family. "I want more! I want a boy," he told the outlet.

Credit: Courtesy of Elena Samodanova/Instagram

November 2018

Samodanova shared a sweet selfie with her two daughters ahead of Thanksgiving 2018, reminding her Instagram followers to cherish every moment with their loved ones. 

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

January 2019

The duo participated in the viral #10YearChallenge, sharing side by side photos of their transformations from 2009 to 2019. "Time really flies!" Samodanova teased via Instagram.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

February 2019

After more than a decade together, the pair still only had eyes for each other. "Happy Valentine's Day to everyone 💝 from our mini vacation with my hubby @glebsavchenkoofficial 💋! @rubythecreature such a cute little doggie 🐶," the mother of two wrote via Instagram alongside a snap of her and Savchenko posing poolside with their pooch.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

January 2020

"Happy New Year 🍾from #savchenkofamily to yours! 🙏 May this 2020 be filled with lots of love and happiness. 💋🥂," Samodanova captioned a celebratory selfie as she rang in 2020 with the model.

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July 2020

The twosome celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary in July 2020 by sharing throwback photos from their special day. "Two souls but with a single thought, two hearts that beat as one. Happy 14th Anniversary my love ❤️ @elenasamodanova," Savchenko gushed via Instagram at the time. Samodanova, for her part, posted a montage of her favorite moments from the last 14 years. "Real Love stories never have endings," she wrote. 

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

October 2020

"Happy Birthday to my wife, my best friend, best mother to my kids, brains behind the operation and just simple love of my life ❤️," Savchenko gushed via Instagram in October 2020 alongside a family photo. "Thank you for being you! We wish you lots love and happiness, I hope you’ll have an amazing day, we all love you very much ❤️.

Credit: Courtesy of Gleb Savchenko/Instagram

November 2020

After 14 years of marriage, Savchenko announced "with a heavy heart" that he and his wife were going their separate ways. "We still intend to coparent our wonderful children together who we love so dearly, and we will strive to continue to be the best parents that we can to them. We ask that you respect our family’s need for privacy and healing during this time," he told Us in November 2020.

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December 2020

Samodanova officially filed for divorce one month after the duo announced their split. Earlier that month, she told her Instagram followers that she was "passed" at Savchenko when he was spotted on a romantic getaway with then-girlfriend Cassie Scerbo.

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March 2021

Savchenko asked for joint legal and physical custody of the pair's two kids, later requesting that he receive spousal support from Samodanova. He also asked for his estranged wife to pay his legal fees.

Credit: Courtesy Gleb Savchenko/Instagram; Elena Samodanova/Instagram

April 2021

The pair put on a united front while on a family vacation with their daughters in Mexico. One month prior, Savchenko told ET that he and the dancer were on "great terms."

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June 2021

"We tried to make it work. There were several times we broke up, we lived separately for a little bit," Savchenko reflected during an episode of Jana Kramer's "Whine Down" podcast, adding that he has "huge respect" for his former spouse. "I tried my best to make it work, she tried her best to make it work. ... You have to communicate. ... When [the split's] in its early stage, it’s hard to do because you can't stand each other. You're like, 'I don't want to see your ass at all.'"

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August 2021

Samodanova updated fans on the divorce process during an Instagram Story Q&A, noting at the time that the paperwork would be finalized "very soon." She also noted that she and her estranged husband have become "more gentle" with each other while coparenting. "He is [the] father of my kids, I wish him all the best," she wrote.

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October 2021

The pair finalized their divorce nearly one year after announcing their split, agreeing to share joint legal and physical custody of their daughters.

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January 2022

After Samodanova requested a change in the pair’s visitation and child support agreements — and asked her ex to pay more of her attorney's fees — in December 2021 court docs, Savchenko alleged in a statement to Us that there was "misinformation being spread" about him and his time on the DWTS tour.

"While I was [hoping] to keep our divorce amicable and private for the sake of my children, I feel I must now respond to set the record straight," he said. "To clarify, my DWTS tour schedule runs from January 3 to March 27, and I have one day off each week. Due to our 50/50 custody split, that means there are five weeks where I would have allocated time with my children. I will be flying home one day each week to be with my kids."

The dancer also denied rumors about him traveling to Mexico or Sweden for career opportunities, adding that he hired a previously vetted and "respected" nanny who "has been living at my residence and supporting with childcare since our divorce was finalized." Savchenko also clarified that his ex-wife received multiple properties as part of their settlement.

He concluded, "I have and will continue to put the best interests of my children first. I would ask for privacy and respect for my children, as we continue to navigate this post-divorce litigation as a family."

Credit: Courtesy of Elena Samodanova/Instagram

February 2022

In court docs obtained by Us, Samodanava requested primary custody of the pair's children, claiming her former spouse "refused to amend the schedule amicably" and "was not available to take care of our daughters" due to his "long work hours and travels." Samodanava asked that Olivia and Zlata stay with her on all weekdays and every other weekend when Savchenko is in town. "I have facilitated visits when [Savchenko] is in Los Angeles and has the time to see our children as his schedule allows. I will continue to do so," she claimed in the docs.

A hearing is scheduled for March 21, 2022, shortly before Savchenko concludes his run on the DWTS tour.