Victoria Bonya (born 27 November 1979) is a Russian beauty influencer, model, and media personality. She began her career as a model after moving to Moscow, later gained wide fame on national television through the reality show Dom-2, and has since become known for her commentary on social and political issues and for her mountaineering expeditions.
Early career
After relocating to Moscow, Bonya pursued modelling and placed as a prize-winner in the Beauty of Russia pageant. In 2001 she represented Russia at the Miss Earth contest held in the Philippines. She studied accounting at the Moscow State University of Food Production and later qualified as a television and radio journalist from the Ostankino Institute. In 2006 she started working on national television, and her participation in Dom-2 brought her widespread recognition.
Public activism
Bonya has drawn attention for her public statements. In 2020 she spread conspiracy theories about COVID-19 that met with wide criticism, before later announcing that she had been vaccinated. In April 2026 she posted a long video criticising the blocking of Telegram in Russia and the handling of cattle culls in Novosibirsk Oblast, prompting responses from Russian media and officials, including the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Mountaineering
Bonya is a dedicated mountaineer and expedition climber. She joined an expedition to Manaslu in the Himalayas in 2022, which was cut short by severe weather and avalanches, and in subsequent years she climbed several peaks, including Mont Blanc du Tacul, Manaslu and, in May 2025, Mount Everest.