You probably know the face with the startling blue-green eyes, but can't place the name. That's understandable. Milla Jovovich (pronounced mee-luh yo-vo-vitch), born Millica Natasha Jovovich in Kiev, Ukraine, has graced hundreds of magazine covers since coming to America via London. Named to Forbes list of "Richest Supermodels of the World" in 2004 after making $10.5 million, Milla has branched out creatively from her modeling days.
When only 12 years old, she made her film debut in 1988's "Two Moon Junction" and continued to play supporting roles on both the big and small screens. But it was in 1997, co-starring opposite Bruce Willis in the sci-fi blockbuster "The Fifth Element," that people took notice of her. Milla went on to star as Alice in the "Resident Evil" movie trilogy.
Along with creative outlets in acting and modeling, the 5-foot-8-inch beauty has enjoyed a lucrative fashion design profession and musical career as a singer, songwriter and musician with the 1994 release of "The Divine Comedy." Now living in the Hollywood Hills with daughter Ever, who was born in November 2008, and fiance filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson, Milla returns to acting with the August release of "A Perfect Getaway." But she insists her biggest success is that of being a mom.
Bankrate: You gained about 65 pounds while pregnant with Ever. Did you ever worry about your health during those nine months?
Milla Jovovich: A little bit because I had never gained that much weight before but at the same time, I felt I'm young and healthy. Seeing myself at 200 pounds was just crazy. It really helped me in my head to cement certain things that I felt were important and others I could discard that weren't like being the perfect shape and weight. So I figured it was better to gain weight and have a healthy baby than be thin with an unhealthy baby. And Ever is so healthy and vibrant and smart.
Bankrate: On the cover of Cookie magazine, you looked really good. How did you lose it all?
Milla Jovovich: Well, diet and exercise. I did a film called "Perfect Getaway," and I was working out everyday and pretty much eating chicken and fresh vegetables, oatmeal for breakfast, and snacking on apples and carrots. I didn't want to be unhealthy about the way I lost the weight so I took my time. I wanted to lose the weight while working out, watching what I ate, and didn't want to push myself into an unhealthy, quick weight loss. Look, it took nine months coming on and nine months coming off. Yet, it did take a little longer taking it off (laughs). I still like to have fun, you know.