SYTYCD’s Maksim Chmerkovskiy Pays Loving Tribute to His Grandmother

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, currently a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, cut open emotional veins each week in the pre-dance video packages when he competed on Dancing With the Stars. Now, he’s sharing a heart-warming and heart-breaking story about his beloved grandmother.

Happy Birthday, Babushka

The pro dancer, judge, and mirror ball champion posted on Instagram a tribute to his grandmother on the occasion of her 90th birthday. “I love this picture of us because this was the last time I took her out to our favorite spot in Dumbo and spent some time actually having a conversation about all the things from the past,” Chmerkovskiy posted on Instagram.

For non-New Yorkers, Dumbo isn’t just the name of a flying Disney elephant — it’s also the name of a section of Brooklyn, New York. “She was still able to fight through memory loss and correct herself when she would forget too much,” Chmerkovskiy recollects. “This was also the hardest part of the whole thing. Seeing her struggle to understand herself without realizing that it’s not in her control.”

The dancer is choosing to focus on the happy times he and his grandmother shared. “I love you grandma! With all my heart and more,” he says. “I would do anything to get you back, even for a moment, so you could experience all your great-grandchildren and all that pure unconditional love. Next lifetime. Until then HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABUSHKA SOFA!”

General Hospital, the soap opera on which Maksim Chmerkovskiy appeared as Anton, told the heartbreaking tale of Mike Corbin (Daytime Emmy-winner Max Gail) and his battle with Alzheimer’s.

Chmerkovsky’s social media followers weighed in on his post with heartfelt messages and suggestions and their own stories. “Music! Play her favorite songs,” suggests Judy Pasqualone. Adds Iantexasgal: “Bless her…Thank you for sharing her with us over the years. She was always so funny… mourning someone still with us is the hardest.”

“Today would have been my Babushka Sofa’s birthday as well. I miss her more than words. Happy birthday to both our Babushka Sofas,” shared Marilyn Perelshtein. Another poster, Donna Ciccolini wrote: “Grandma’s are so special. Please always keep the good memories close to your heart. Happy 90th to her. God Bless.” Soap Hub joins Chmerkovkiy’s fellow followers in wishing his grandmother a happy birthday.