Born on January 17, 1980 in Odessa to Aleksandr and Larisa Chmerkovskiy, he began dancing at the age of four.

The challenges of immigration for Chmerkovskiy and his family included financial and language barriers. A skiing accident as a child broke Chmerkovskiy's right leg. Doctors informed him that there would be difficulties with his leg and that dancing might not be possible^. He made a successful recovery and went on to become a professional Latin Ballroom dancer.

 Chmerkovskiy owns four dance studios in the New York City area, one of which is the Rising Stars Dance Academy (RSDA). The other three studios are social dance studios located in Ridgefield, New Jersey and Glen Head, New York, as well as the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan. He has been a resident of Edgewater, New Jersey.

 Chmerkovskiy is one of the creators and directors of Dance Team USA, a non-profit educational and charitable organization dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and training future DanceSport participants. This sport is particularly popular with Eastern European families. Through his company Maksim Chmerkovskiy Productions, he organizes performances globally.

 A ballroom and DanceSport choreographer, among his professional works is the Wynn Las Vegas's water-based show Le Rêve. He implemented ballroom-inspired numbers in the Franco Dragone producti.

 Dancing With The Stars

 Season Two: Maks started with DWTS with partner Tia Carrere.

 Season Three: He and partner singer Willa Ford came in seventh place. 

 Season Four:  is time partnered with boxer Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali. They made it to the finals and finished in third place. In

Season Five:  he was partnered with Mel B. and had his best finish to date; the couple received second place.

Season Six: Maks did not participate although he and former partner Mel B made an appearance for the 100th episode.

Season Seven: Paired with two-time Olympic volleyball gold medalist, Misty May-Treanor. Chmerkovskiy and May-Treanor were forced to withdraw from the competition in Week 4 on October 6, 2008. During a practice for their jive, May-Treanor ruptured her Achilles tendon and required surgery. Her withdrawal gave them a finish in tenth place.

Season Eight: Denise Richards  They were eliminated second in the competition, on March 24, 2009, giving the pair a finish of 12th place.

Season Nine: Debi Mazar, during which they were eliminated 4th.

Season Ten: Chmerkovskiy, returning for his 8th season, was partnered with Erin Andrews. They ended up coming in 3rd place during the two hour finale on May 25, 2010.

Season Eleven: He was partenered with singer and actress, Brandy. They made it to the semi-finals but were eliminated on November 16, 2010, giving them a 4th place finish.

Season Twelve: He is paired with actress, Kirstie Alley. And we are waiting to see what happens. So far so good!

 Season 13: Hope Solo - Olympic Champion