Who Is Maria Kalesnikava? Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, Maria Kalesnikava is 43 years old. She rose to fame not only as a musician but also as one of the key figures in the pro-democracy movement in Belarus. Kalesnikava gained international recognition during the 2020 presidential elections, where she played a pivotal role in mobilizing protests against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. In addition to her activism, she has been celebrated for her musical talents, which often reflect her deep connection to her homeland and its struggles.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 24, 1982 |
| Age | 43 Years |
| Birth Place | Minsk, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union (now Minsk, Belarus) |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Belarus |
Popularity
Maria Kalesnikava's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Maria Kalesnikava stands at an impressive height of approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). She maintains a slim physique weighing around 130 lbs (59 kg). Her striking features and charismatic presence are complemented by her expressive style, both in terms of fashion and her musical performances.
Kept in solitary confinement, she's reportedly subjected to inhumane conditions: deprivation of adequate food, lack of medical care and the destruction of letters from her loved ones in front of her. Her weight is said to have dropped to 45 kg.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
When it comes to her personal life, Kalesnikava has largely kept her family and relationship status private. As of 2025, there is no public information regarding her boyfriend or girlfriend. Rumors occasionally surface about her dating life, but Kalesnikava remains focused on her activism and career, choosing to keep her romantic relationships away from the limelight.
She has one sibling, a sister named Tatiana Khomich. According to Tatiana, their parents were deeply fond of music. They inspired interest in it in their daughters and in a certain way influenced Maria's choice of profession. Maria studied in a music school, then graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music as a flutist and conductor.
Net Worth and Salary
Maria Kalesnikava's net worth as of 2025 is estimated to be around $1 million. Her earnings primarily stem from her career as a musician, as well as from her activism efforts. Though financial information can be scarce for public figures deeply involved in social justice, her artistry and advocacy have undoubtedly contributed to her financial success.
Career, Business and Investments
Kalesnikava's multifaceted career encompasses her work as a musician, composer, and organizer. She is known for her unique sound that fuses traditional Belarusian music with modern influences. Beyond her music, her activism has led her to co-found the opposition political party, the “United Transitional Cabinet,” which aims to promote democracy and human rights in Belarus. She has participated in various international forums, speaking about the importance of freedom and justice in her homeland.
Maria Kalesnikava (Marya Alyaksandrauna Kalesnikava / Maria Aleksandrovna Kolesnikova; born 24 April 1982) is a Belarusian professional flutist and political activist. In 2020, she headed Viktar Babaryka's electoral campaign during the presidential elections of 2020 in Belarus.
Kalesnikava represented the united campaign of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, then she became a member of the presidium of the Coordination Council formed during the 2020 Belarusian protests in opposition to the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. She is also a founder of the 'Razam' political party.
Social Network
Maria Kalesnikava maintains an active presence on social media, where she engages with her audience and raises awareness about the political situation in Belarus. Her platforms, which include Instagram and Twitter, allow her to share music, updates on her activism, and messages of solidarity with her supporters. Her followers appreciate her candid and inspiring posts, making her a vital voice in contemporary discussions about democracy and human rights.
On 7 September 2020, Belarusian media published the news that Kalesnikava was kidnapped in the center of Minsk. Her friends and colleagues could not reach her by phone. Later, witnesses stated that a woman was forcibly put into a black minivan by some unknown men in civilian clothes with covered faces.
In the morning of 8 September 2020, the news was published that the authorities tried to deport Maria against her will, she was taken to the Alexandrovka border crossing with Ukraine.
Later, Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko wrote on his Facebook page, "This was not a voluntary departure. This was a forced deportation from her native country". The State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus reported that at 4 a.m.
she left Belarus together with Ivan Kravtsov and Anton Rodnenkov passed the border control and headed towards Ukraine. State-controlled TV-channels put around the story that Kalesnikava was detained at the border cross when trying to leave the country and move to her sister in Ukraine.
In fact, as confirmed by the witnesses Rodnenkov and Kravtsov, in the neutral zone Kalesnikava managed to escape through the rear window of the car where she was kept, tore her passport to pieces, then headed back to Belarusian border. There she was immediately arrested.
Following these news, Bundestag vice-chairman Claudia Roth promised to patronage Kalesnikava and help her via Libereco organization.
Education
Maria Kalesnikava holds a degree in music from the Belarusian State University, where she honed her skills as a musician and became involved in various cultural initiatives. Her educational background has played a significant role in shaping her artistic vision and her understanding of the dynamics of Belarusian society, which fuel her activism.
In summary, Maria Kalesnikava continues to be a symbol of the struggle for democracy in Belarus. As she balances her musical career and advocacy work, her influence only grows, inspiring a new generation of activists and artists. While details about her personal life may remain shrouded in mystery, her impact on her country is undeniably clear.
At the age of 17, Kalesnikava started teaching the flute at a private gymnasium school in Minsk. She also played the flute at the National Academic Concert Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus under the direction of Mikhail Finberg. She played on tours across Italy, Poland, and Lithuania.
