Basic Information
Field | Detail |
---|---|
Full name | Mykhailo (Michael) Farmiga |
Born | Ukraine; date not publicly disclosed |
Nationality | Ukrainian-born; later Ukrainian American |
Occupations | Computer systems analyst; later landscaper |
Known for | Patriarch of the Farmiga family; father of actresses Vera and Taissa Farmiga |
Spouse | Lubomyra “Luba” Farmiga (née Spas) |
Children (7) | Victor, Vera, Stephan (Stefan), Nadia, Alexander, Laryssa, Taissa |
Languages at home | Ukrainian (primary in early childhood), English |
Primary family homebase | New Jersey, USA |
Notable family dates | 1973: Vera born; 1994: Taissa born; 2009 & 2010: Vera’s children born |
From Ukraine to New Jersey: An Immigrant Father’s Path
Mykhailo Farmiga’s story begins in Ukraine and unfolds in the suburbs of New Jersey, where he and his wife, Lubomyra (“Luba”), built a bustling household of seven children. The home hummed with Ukrainian language and customs; the children were raised steeped in heritage, church life, and community traditions. In that atmosphere, identities were formed as surely as dinner was served—warm, abundant, and unmistakably Ukrainian.
By profession, Mykhailo first worked as a computer systems analyst, a detail that hints at analytical discipline and a knack for problem-solving. Later, he turned to landscaping, trading keyboards and cubicles for soil, stone, and seasons. The shift reads like an arc from circuits to seedlings—two different forms of careful design, both demanding patience and a craftsman’s eye.
Work and Work Ethic: Systems Analyst to Soil Steward
Two job titles define him in public accounts: systems analyst and landscaper. One deals in flowcharts and logic trees; the other in root balls and shade maps. Both require persistent attention, iterative planning, and a tolerance for complexity. Raise seven children while changing careers and you reveal a quiet axiom of immigrant success: the work is whatever it takes—and it is never finished.
In New Jersey, Mykhailo and Luba prioritized stability and culture. The children’s education included Ukrainian language at home, and at times homeschooling shaped how some siblings learned and grew. That environment produced artists, tradespeople, and caretakers—each child a different branch of the same sturdy trunk.
The Seven Siblings, Seven Orbits
Below is a snapshot of the Farmiga siblings, oldest to youngest as commonly listed. Public information for several siblings is limited; where details are not widely public, they are noted as such.
Name | Birth (year) | Role / Notes |
---|---|---|
Victor Farmiga | Not publicly disclosed | Eldest sibling; maintains a private life and appears occasionally in family mentions. |
Vera Farmiga | 1973 | Academy Award–nominated actress, director, and producer; often speaks about the family’s Ukrainian upbringing. |
Stephan (Stefan) Farmiga | Not publicly disclosed | Brother; publicly associated with hands-on work, including landscaping. |
Nadia Farmiga | Not publicly disclosed | Sister; keeps a low public profile. |
Alexander (Alex) Farmiga | Not publicly disclosed | Brother; public information is limited. |
Laryssa (Larysa/Laryssa) Farmiga | Not publicly disclosed | Sister; has been publicly noted as living with spina bifida. |
Taissa Farmiga | 1994 | Actress known for television and film; the youngest sibling. |
The family’s age spread shows at least 21 years between Vera (1973) and Taissa (1994), a spacing that often results in older siblings helping shepherd the younger ones. It’s a familiar dynamic in large families: the household becomes its own collaborative institution, with shared duties, overlapping interests, and rotating leadership.
Culture at Home: Language, Faith, and Community
The Farmiga home preserved Ukrainian as a primary language in early childhood, with English arriving a little later. That detail matters: language shapes how a family thinks about the world and how it remembers. Songs, proverbs, recipes, church rituals—these are transmitters of identity. In the Farmiga household, culture wasn’t a weekend activity; it was the operating system.
Family gatherings often threaded together heritage and hospitality. There is an implicit syllabus in such a home: work hard, hold fast to your roots, and respect the callings of your kin. One child becomes a global movie star, another a craftsperson or business owner, another a caregiver—each role is part of a coherent family story.
Timeline at a Glance
- Mid-20th century: Mykhailo Farmiga born in Ukraine (public birthdate not disclosed).
- By early 1970s: Mykhailo and Luba settle in the United States; New Jersey becomes the family base.
- 1973: Vera Farmiga is born.
- 1970s–1980s: Mykhailo works as a computer systems analyst; the household emphasizes Ukrainian language and culture.
- 1990s: Transition into landscaping work; the family’s younger children reach school age; Taissa is born in 1994.
- 2000s–2010s: Vera’s screen career flourishes; Taissa emerges in television and film; Mykhailo remains a private figure in the background.
- 2009 and 2010: Two grandchildren are born to Vera.
Dates for the other siblings are not widely public, consistent with the family’s preference for privacy.
Family Tree (Condensed)
Person | Relationship to Mykhailo | Notes |
---|---|---|
Lubomyra “Luba” (née Spas) | Spouse | Mother of seven; educator and central cultural influence at home. |
Victor Farmiga | Son | Oldest sibling; private life. |
Vera Farmiga | Daughter | Film and TV star; director and producer. |
Stephan (Stefan) Farmiga | Son | Associated with landscaping/trades. |
Nadia Farmiga | Daughter | Private life. |
Alexander (Alex) Farmiga | Son | Private life. |
Laryssa Farmiga | Daughter | Publicly noted as having spina bifida. |
Taissa Farmiga | Daughter | Actress known for television and film. |
Two grandchildren | Grandchildren | Born 2009 and 2010 to Vera. |
In the Public Eye, By Proxy
Mykhailo Farmiga does not court publicity. His presence in the public record is largely via the careers of Vera and Taissa. Interviews with the sisters often return to their upbringing: a Ukrainian-speaking home, a large family, a father who worked in analytical and hands-on professions, and a mother who shaped education and culture day to day. Mykhailo’s portrait emerges indirectly—less a headline, more a throughline.
Numbers Snapshot
Metric | Figure |
---|---|
Children | 7 |
Grandchildren (publicly noted) | 2 |
Primary home languages | 2 (Ukrainian and English) |
Known career fields in household | Technology, landscaping/trades, arts/entertainment |
Spanning years between Vera (1973) and Taissa (1994) | 21 years |
The Father’s Imprint
It is tempting to explain the success of a family in a single sentence—hard work, tight-knit community, immigrant drive. In reality, the imprint is multi-layered. A systems analyst knows that inputs, pathways, and feedback loops all matter. A landscaper knows that soil composition, sun exposure, and water all matter. Raise seven children with those instincts and you create an ecosystem where different talents can take root.
The Farmiga story reads like a well-tended garden: heritage as the soil, discipline as the trellis, and love as the water. Some branches grow skyward and visible to the world; others stay sheltered and strong beneath the canopy.
FAQ
Who is Mykhailo Farmiga?
He is a Ukrainian-born American father of seven, best known publicly as the dad of actresses Vera and Taissa Farmiga.
What did he do for a living?
He worked as a computer systems analyst and later in landscaping.
Where did the family live in the United States?
They raised their children primarily in New Jersey.
How many children does he have?
Seven: Victor, Vera, Stephan (Stefan), Nadia, Alexander, Laryssa, and Taissa.
Did the family maintain Ukrainian traditions?
Yes, Ukrainian language and culture were central at home.
Are Vera and Taissa sisters?
Yes, Vera is the older sister and Taissa is the youngest sibling.
Is there public information about his birthdate?
No, his exact birthdate has not been widely publicized.
Does he have social media or public profiles?
There is no widely verified public social-media presence associated with him.
What is known about his net worth?
No credible public estimate exists; financial details remain private.
Are there grandchildren?
Yes, Vera has two children, born in 2009 and 2010.