Supermodel Irina Shayk, known for her enigmatic beauty and fiercely private life, offered a rare glimpse into her role as a mother by sharing intimate photographs with her daughter Leia on Instagram, a platform owned by Meta—designated as an extremist organization and banned in Russia.
The Russian-born model posted the images in honor of International Mother’s Day, celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. In the first photo, Shayk is seen holding her daughter, who is smiling playfully with her face mostly obscured by her mother’s hair—maintaining the family’s traditionally low profile when it comes to Leia’s public appearances. Another candid image shows Shayk and Leia sitting at a table, seemingly mid-toast, holding glasses in a cozy mother-daughter moment.
“Happy Mother’s Day everyone,” the supermodel simply captioned the post, letting the imagery speak volumes.
Shayk’s restrained elegance and protectiveness over her daughter have long been admired by fans and fashion insiders alike. This post marks one of the very few times she has allowed the public even a modest peek into her personal relationship with her child.
Leia De Seine Shayk Cooper was born in March 2017, the only child of Shayk and Hollywood A-lister Bradley Cooper. The couple, who dated from 2015 to 2019, have since maintained a notably amicable co-parenting relationship. While their romantic partnership ended in 2019, they reached a mutual agreement regarding joint custody and have often been spotted together attending events or walking in New York City with their daughter.
Their handling of post-breakup life—marked by cooperation and minimal drama—has been praised as a model of modern co-parenting.
Born in the small mining town of Yemanzhelinsk, Russia, in 1986, Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova comes from a modest background. Her father was a coal miner of Tatar origin, and her mother a Russian music teacher. After graduating high school, Shayk moved to Chelyabinsk, where she enrolled in beauty school and worked at the Svetlana modeling agency. Her life took a dramatic turn when she won the title of “Supermodel 2004″ in a local beauty contest.
At that competition, Shayk caught the attention of modeling scout Gia Dzhikidze, who had previously discovered talents like Natalia Vodianova. Dzhikidze’s mentorship was pivotal; soon after, Shayk began modeling professionally in Europe. She quickly rose through the fashion ranks, working with brands like Armani, Burberry, Givenchy, and becoming the first Russian model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in 2011.
Despite her public career, Shayk is fiercely protective of her family. Her daughter Leia’s face is almost never shown in full in any public media or social platform. This discretion stands in sharp contrast to the usual celebrity culture, where children are often thrust into the limelight.
Her co-parenting journey with Bradley Cooper also reflects a deliberate, quiet maturity. The pair, though no longer romantically linked, frequently appear together at their daughter’s school functions and even enjoy occasional family vacations—without igniting media speculation.
