Walter Afanasieff

Birth Name: Vladimir Nikitich Afanasieff

Place of Birth: São Paulo, Brazil

Date of Birth: February 10, 1958

Ethnicity: Russian

Walter Afanasieff is an American multiple Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter, record producer, and composer. He is known for his long association with Mariah Carey, for whom he was co-producer and co-writer for several years, beginning in 1990, and for working with many other recording artists. He is nicknamed Baby Love.

Walter was born in São Paulo, Brazil, the son of Nikita Afanasieff and Tatiana Rikova. Both of his parents are the children of Russian immigrants. He lives in the U.S.

Walter’s paternal grandfather was Georgi Afanasieff (the son of Leonid Afanasieff and Nadeshda Grigorieva). Georgi was born in Halish, Russia and imigrated to Brazil.

Walter’s paternal grandmother was Zinaida/Sinaida Bolsunowski (the daughter of Joan Bolsunowski and Tatiana Iolshina). Zinaida was a Russian immigrant to São Paulo, Brazil.

Walter’s maternal grandfather was Vladimir Rikoff/Rikov (the son of Vladimir N. Rikoff/Rikov and Vera I.). Walter’s grandfather Vladimir was born in Mtsenks, Russia.

Walter’s maternal grandmother was Antonina Menshikoff/Minshikoff (the daughter of Nikolai I. Menshikoff and Maria V.). Antonina was born in Harbin, China to Russian parents.

Sources: Immigration record of Walter’s paternal grandfather, Georgi Afanasieff – https://www.familysearch.org

Immigration record of Walter’s paternal grandmother, Zinaida/Sinaida Bolsunowski – https://www.familysearch.org

Immigration record of Walter’s maternal grandfather,  Vladimir Rikoff/Rikov – https://www.familysearch.org

Immigration record of Walter’s maternal grandmother, Antonina Menshikoff/Minshikoff – https://www.familysearch.org

Photo by Billy Bennight