Ukrainian gymnast and Olympic champion Lilia Podkopayeva celebrated a special family milestone — her eldest daughter Karolina turned 20 years old. To mark the occasion, the athlete posted a touching selection of archival photographs on Instagram, compiling them into a festive video reel. The footage showcases the girl's journey from her earliest childhood pictures to adult life, turning the publication into a genuine family memoir.
Archival Reel: From First Frames to Adult Karolina
The gymnast gathered footage from various years into a single video. In the archival photos, the girl is still very young and posing in her mother's arms; the selection also includes moments of family vacation at an ice rink, celebrations with balloons, and travel clips, notably against the backdrop of a cruise ship. Special attention is drawn to photographs of Karolina in a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt (vyshyvanka) and pictures from various birthdays over the years, featuring festive cakes, including one shaped like a red heart with the inscription 'Scorpio Baby'.
The video also features clips from the girl's coming of age and her 19th birthday. The compilation concludes with fresh photographs of an adult Karolina at a restaurant, where she poses next to an unusual cocktail in a fish-shaped glass. Thus, the archival album spans the entire journey of the girl from infancy to her twentieth year.
Touching Maternal Message
In the caption accompanying the festive compilation, Lilia tenderly addressed her daughter and confessed that she is proud of her. 'It seems just yesterday you were little, and today you are already so grown up and independent. My daughter, I am so proud of you! Be happy, enjoy life, and always stay true to yourself! I love you infinitely!' wrote the gymnast. These words became the emotional core of the publication and emphasized the personal, family nature of the post.
The Gymnast's Family: Three Children
Lilia Podkopayeva has three children: son Vadym and daughters Karolina and Evelina. The athlete's first husband was businessman Tymofiy Nagorny; the couple was married for about five years. In 2006, the couple adopted a boy, Vadym, who was eight months old at the time, and soon after, daughter Karolina joined the family. After her divorce from Nagorny, Podkopayeva married for the second time — to businessman Igor Dubinsky, whom she met in the USA. In 2019, the couple welcomed daughter Evelina.
Personal Life and Public Statements
Currently, the gymnast lives with her family in the United States. In an interview with Marichka Padalko in 2025, she also shared that she does not maintain contact with her ex-husband and last saw him more than 15 years ago. The publication marking Karolina's 20th birthday has once again drawn attention to the athlete's family history, which combines an athletic past with the role of a mother of three.
