Julia Haart is a name that has become synonymous with reinvention, entrepreneurship, and breaking barriers. Born into an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family in Moscow, Haart’s journey from a strict, religious upbringing to becoming a successful American fashion designer, entrepreneur, author, and reality TV star is nothing short of remarkable. Her story of transformation, ambition, and empowerment resonates with many, especially women who have overcome personal struggles to carve out their own paths.
Julia Haart Early Life and Background
Julia Haart was born on April 11, 1971, in Moscow, Soviet Union, to a deeply religious family. Her parents were observant in the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish community, and Haart was raised in this strict environment. At a young age, her family emigrated to the United States and settled in Monsey, New York, an area known for its large Haredi community. Growing up, Haart attended religious schools, where her education revolved around Jewish teachings and traditional values.
Despite the constraints of her upbringing, Haart always had a passion for fashion and design, a passion that she would later pursue, albeit after a significant personal transformation.
Leaving the Ultra-Orthodox Community
In her early 30s, after years of adhering to the rigid lifestyle dictated by the Haredi community, Julia made the brave decision to leave her religious life behind. The shift was not easy, and it involved challenging everything she had been taught, including her beliefs about women’s roles and limitations. But Haart was determined to pursue her passion for fashion and design, and leaving the community was the first step toward reinventing herself.
Her decision to leave was met with resistance and caused a rift with her family, as leaving the Haredi community was considered taboo. However, this pivotal moment set her on a path to success in the fashion industry.
Julia Haart Career in Fashion and Entrepreneurship
Launching Her Own Brand
After leaving the ultra-Orthodox community, Julia Haart entered the world of fashion design. She initially started her journey by creating shoes, launching a brand under her own name. Her shoe designs gained attention for their blend of style and comfort, catering to women who wanted fashionable footwear that didn’t compromise on comfort. Within months, her shoes became a hit, and she was showcasing her designs at international fashion events.
Creative Director of La Perla
In 2016, Julia Haart’s career reached a significant milestone when she was appointed as the Creative Director of La Perla, a luxury Italian lingerie brand. In this role, she was responsible for revamping the brand’s image and introducing new, innovative designs. She focused on creating pieces that combined elegance with functionality, making high-end lingerie accessible and comfortable for all women. Her work at La Perla helped to elevate the brand and bring it into the modern age, blending luxury with inclusivity.
CEO of Elite World Group
In 2019, Haart took on a new challenge and became the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Elite World Group (EWG), one of the world’s leading modeling agencies. At EWG, Haart applied her entrepreneurial skills to transform the agency’s business operations, launching new initiatives and expanding its reach in the digital world. She also leveraged the company’s platform to champion diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry, ensuring that models of all backgrounds and body types had a place in the spotlight.
Launch of +Body by Julia Haart
In 2023, Julia Haart launched her own shapewear brand, +Body by Julia Haart, a body-positive brand designed to empower women of all sizes. The brand focuses on creating shapewear that is both stylish and comfortable, offering a range of sizes and designs that celebrate every body type. Haart’s shapewear line stands out by blending fashion-forward aesthetics with advanced comfort and support, breaking the traditional molds of shapewear.
Julia Haart Television Career and Public Life
“My Unorthodox Life”
Julia Haart’s personal journey and business success were brought into the limelight with the release of her Netflix series, My Unorthodox Life, which premiered in July 2021. The series documents her transition from an ultra-Orthodox Jewish life to becoming a fashion mogul and CEO. It also explores her family dynamics, including her relationships with her four children and her ex-husband, as well as her ongoing battles in the fashion industry.
The show was an instant hit, attracting viewers with its portrayal of Haart’s transformation, as well as her unapologetic attitude toward breaking societal norms. It has also served as a platform for Haart to advocate for women’s empowerment, personal freedom, and the importance of following one’s passions.
Book: Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie
In April 2022, Julia Haart released her memoir, Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie. The book chronicles her life story, from her upbringing in the Haredi community to her rise in the fashion industry. It delves into her struggles with her family and the emotional and spiritual challenges she faced as she stepped into a world that was so different from the one she had known. Brazen became a bestseller and further cemented Haart’s status as a prominent figure in the fashion and media world.
Julia Haart Personal Life: Family, Marriages, and Divorce
First Marriage: Yosef Hendler
Julia Haart was first married to Yosef Hendler, an Orthodox Jewish man, with whom she had four children: Batsheva, Shlomo, Miriam, and Aron. The couple’s marriage was part of her life within the ultra-Orthodox community. However, as Haart’s personal beliefs evolved, the marriage came to an end, and the couple divorced. Her children have appeared on My Unorthodox Life, and their relationships with their mother and her new lifestyle have been a significant aspect of the show.
Second Marriage: Silvio Scaglia
In June 2019, Julia Haart married Swiss entrepreneur Silvio Scaglia, a billionaire businessman and the founder of Global Net Internet. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2022 after a contentious legal battle. The divorce proceedings included disputes over business ownership and Haart’s role in Scaglia’s company, which had been a major part of her professional life during their marriage. In 2025, Haart won a significant legal victory, gaining control of her business assets and a multimillion-dollar penthouse in New York City as part of the settlement.
Julia Haart Net Worth
As of 2024, Julia Haart net worth is estimated to be between $50 million and $600 million, though figures vary based on her ongoing business ventures and legal settlements. Her wealth comes from her successful fashion brands, her role at Elite World Group, and her media presence through Netflix and her book. She has also made money from her investments in various fashion ventures, including her shapewear line and footwear brand.
Her divorce settlement in 2025 was a significant financial event, with Haart gaining control of business assets and a $65 million Tribeca penthouse. This legal win has bolstered her financial standing and secured her position as a major force in the fashion industry.
Julia Haart Today
As of 2025, Julia Haart continues to be an active entrepreneur, CEO, and public figure. She remains focused on her shapewear brand, +Body by Julia Haart, and is committed to expanding her influence in the fashion world. She also continues to advocate for women’s rights, body positivity, and personal freedom, using her platform to inspire others to live life on their own terms.
Haart’s public persona continues to evolve as she navigates her legal battles, family dynamics, and business ventures. She is currently based in New York City, where she manages her companies and continues to pursue her passion for fashion and empowering women.
Conclusion
Julia Haart’s journey from a life in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community to becoming a global fashion mogul and media personality is one of resilience, reinvention, and empowerment. Her story resonates with those who have faced personal challenges and are determined to break free from societal expectations to follow their dreams. Today, Haart is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a role model for women who seek to redefine their own paths, no matter the obstacles in their way.
