10 Things You Didn't Know About Anna Delvey

Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey. Photo courtesy of Sarahparn under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Anna Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, became infamous for pretending to be a wealthy German heiress and conning her way into New York’s elite social circles. While many know the basics of her scandal, there are plenty of lesser-known details about her life and schemes. Here are 10 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Anna Delvey.

1. She’s Competing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Despite her criminal past, Delvey is currently competing on “Dancing with the Stars,” sparking controversy. Critics, including Whoopi Goldberg and the co-hosts of “The View,” have expressed frustration that Delvey seems to be receiving special treatment, especially considering her ongoing immigration issues.

2. She Was Born in Russia, Not Germany

Although Anna Delvey claimed to be a wealthy German heiress, she was actually born in Domodedovo, Russia, in 1991. Her family relocated to Germany when she was 16, but there was no aristocratic background - her father was a truck driver, and her mother owned a convenience store.

3. Early Fashion Obsession

From a young age, Sorokin was captivated by fashion, immersing herself in fashion magazines and blogs as she dreamed of living a more glamorous lifestyle.

4. She Moved to Paris to Reinvent Herself

After moving to Paris, she changed her surname to Delvey and pursued a fashion degree while relying entirely on her parents for financial support. Her internships exposed her to a glamorous lifestyle that she couldn’t afford to maintain on her own.

5. She Moved to New York in 2013

After a breakup in late summer 2013, Delvey left Paris and moved to New York City, initially planning to stay only briefly. However, she soon decided to settle in the city permanently. It was in New York where she almost perfected her scheme, pretending to be a wealthy German heiress.

6. She Fabricated a Fake Trust Fund

To support her claims of being an heiress, Anna invented a fake trust fund, supposedly holding €60 million. She used this fictional wealth to gain access to New York’s elite social circles, convincing hotels, restaurants, and banks that she could afford her lavish lifestyle.

7. She Once Left a Friend With a $70,000 Tab

Delvey infiltrated New York’s elite while staying at boutique hotels. As she mingled with wealthy circles, she racked up expenses on meals, trips, and Ubers, promising to repay friends later. One instance saw her leave a friend with a $70,000 bill after a trip to Morocco.

8. She Claims to Have Paid Off Her Debts

After her release from prison in 2021, Delvey faced criticism over whether she had repaid the victims of her fraud. Anna recently posted on social media, claiming she had paid back everyone in full. She reportedly used her earnings from Netflix’s “Inventing Anna” to settle her debts.

9. She Refused a Plea Deal

In October, Delvey was charged with stealing $300,000 and attempting to steal $22 million. She faced 10 counts of theft, larceny, and attempted theft for conning various hotels and financial institutions as part of her elaborate schemes. She was offered a plea deal, but decided to reject it.

10. She’s Still Under House Arrest in Manhattan

While she’s competing on “Dancing with the Stars,” Anna is not a free woman. She remains under house arrest at her Manhattan apartment due to her immigration issues. ICE has been seeking to deport her for overstaying her visa after her prison sentence, and her future in the U.S. remains uncertain.

Anna Delvey’s rise and fall is a striking example of how appearances can be deceiving. Her carefully crafted persona fooled many, but her story also reveals the lengths people will go to chase wealth and status. Even as her swindles unraveled, Anna’s tale continues to captivate, reminding us that truth can be stranger than fiction.

References: A Timeline of Fake Socialite Anna Delvey’s Schemes | 50 Facts About Anna Delvey | ‘DWTS’ Contestant Anna Delvey Demands Apology From ‘The View’: “Get Your Facts Straight”