Who Is Victoria Imperioli? The Amazing Life Story of Michael Imperioli’s Wife

Victoria Imperioli is best known as the wife of Sopranos and White Lotus star Michael Imperioli, but her own story stretches far beyond that title. Born in the Soviet Union and raised between two cultures, she has spent decades building a career in interior design, film production and theatre, all while keeping much of her personal life away from the public eye. Her marriage to Michael, now approaching three decades, is one of the quieter and steadier partnerships in Hollywood. This article looks at who Victoria Imperioli really is, from her early life to her creative work and family.

Early Life and Background

Victoria Imperioli was born Victoria Chlebowski in 1966, during the Soviet era of Russia, into a Jewish family. Her mother, Raisa Chlebowski, left the region for Ukraine in 1976 to escape rising anti-Semitism, and the family later emigrated to the United States. Victoria has spoken about the difficulties of those early years, including settling into a modest railroad apartment after arriving in America.

She moved to the United States as a teenager and completed her schooling there before going on to study further. That transition between a Soviet upbringing and an American adulthood appears to have shaped much of her independent, hands-on approach to both business and creativity in later life.

Meeting Michael Imperioli

Victoria and Michael Imperioli met in Manhattan during the 1990s, with several accounts placing their first meeting at a bar that Victoria owned, Ciel Rouge, where the couple briefly lived above the premises. The pair quickly grew close and married on 20 September 1996, a date Michael has publicly celebrated on social media on multiple anniversaries.

Unlike many Hollywood unions, the couple has remained largely private about the details of their courtship and relationship, choosing instead to let their work and family life speak for itself. Michael has credited their bond to mutual respect and shared interests, once remarking that the two had little in common when they met yet somehow found everything in common.

Career as a Designer and Producer

Victoria built a career independent of her husband’s fame, working primarily as an interior designer and creative entrepreneur. She co-founded the design firm SVE New York and has been involved in refurbishing several New York properties, including a Tribeca factory building and spaces that now house the couple’s business ventures. Her design work has appeared in publications such as Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and InStyle.

Beyond interiors, Victoria has worked in film and theatre. She produced and designed sets for The Hungry Ghosts (2009), directed and written by her husband, and produced Circledrawers the same year. She also holds a production credit on the 2013 thriller Joy de V. and has directed music videos for the indie band ZOPA. Alongside Michael, she co-founded Studio Dante, an Off-Broadway theatre in New York City, where she served as co-artistic director and designed productions.

Family Life

Michael and Victoria share two sons, Vadim, born in 1997, and David, born in 2001. Victoria also has a daughter, Isabella, from a previous relationship, whom Michael has helped raise as a stepfather. The family has kept their children largely out of the spotlight, with Michael speaking openly about how fatherhood reshaped his priorities away from acting.

Now that their children are grown, the couple have described themselves as content empty nesters. Michael has spoken warmly about this new chapter, noting how much he and Victoria enjoy this stage of their marriage together.

Shared Spiritual Life and Business Ventures

Around 2016, Victoria and Michael began attending Buddhist teachings in New York, eventually studying under several respected teachers. In 2020, the couple formally took refuge with Garchen Rinpoche and continue to follow the teachings of Namkha Rinpoche, for whom they helped establish a centre in Tribeca. Michael has credited Victoria’s spiritual practice with bringing greater patience and calm into their family life.

The pair have also continued collaborating professionally, most recently opening a New York City bar called Scarlet in December 2023. This follows their earlier joint venture into hospitality and reflects a partnership that blends personal life with shared creative and business interests.

Victoria Imperioli: Quick Bio Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Victoria Imperioli? Victoria Imperioli is an interior designer, film producer and theatre artist, and the wife of actor Michael Imperioli, known for The Sopranos and The White Lotus.

When did Victoria and Michael Imperioli get married? They married on 20 September 1996 and have been together for nearly three decades.

Does Victoria Imperioli have her own career? Yes, she runs the design firm SVE New York, has produced several independent films and co-founded the Off-Broadway theatre Studio Dante with her husband.

How many children do Victoria and Michael Imperioli have? They have two sons, Vadim and David, and Victoria has a daughter, Isabella, from a previous relationship.

What is Victoria Imperioli’s background? She was born in Soviet-era Russia in 1966 to a Jewish family and emigrated to the United States as a teenager.

Conclusion

Victoria Imperioli is far more than a famous actor’s wife. From her early years in Soviet Russia to her decades-long career in design, film and theatre, she has built a life defined by creativity and quiet determination. Her enduring marriage to Michael Imperioli, grounded in shared values and spiritual practice, stands as a refreshingly private success story in an industry that rarely allows for one.