“Things that are very close to my heart are children, my family and the people who are not as privileged and have disabilities."

Maria Sharapova laughs as children give her a painting in California in 2007 from the Children of Chernobyl Foundation. The Russian tennis star visited the region devastated in 1986 by the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. She donated $100,000 to eight youth-oriented projects in rural communities still suffering the aftereffects of the Chernobyl meltdown. Her charitable foundation helps “at-risk” children achieve their dreams.
(© AP Images)