A polyglot, she speaks English, Russian and Mongolian, among other languages, and was Seagal’s translator on a film fundraising tour of her country in 2001; they married in 2009

Steven Seagal is something of a renaissance man. Known for his slick martial-arts skills as well as his imposing and stoic on-screen persona, Seagal is one of the most recognisable action stars in show business, having appeared in a slew of high-octane films since his debut in 1988’s Above the Law. However, the Michigan-born aikido master also has several other talents and interests.

Per his IMDB page, the Hard to Kill star, 72, is also a writer, producer and even musician, having released two studio albums. Beyond his career in entertainment, the Under Siege actor, a devout Buddhist, has been a reserve deputy sheriff and a vocal activist for a number of causes: in 2003, for example, he petitioned Thailand’s prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, to abolish the country’s practice of using elephants for entertainment.

Besides his long and varied career, what about his personal life? The On Deadly Ground actor has seven children and is now married to Erdenetuya Batsukh. So what do we know about Erdenetuya, who also goes by Elle? Let’s take a closer look.

As reported by People, Batsukh is a Mongolian professional dancer who, when seen in public, is often in traditional outfits. In her youth, she trained at educational centre the Children’s Palace in capital Ulaanbaatar.

She is said to have become one of the country’s best dancers, working at the Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. According to news.mn, Batsukh’s dancing prowess has been recognised at dance competitions throughout her career, and she has won several accolades.

Per People, Batsukh, whose age hasn’t been publicised, met the Fire Down Below star in 2001 when he was visiting Mongolia on a fundraising tour, trying to garner interest in a film about the founder of the Mongol empire, Genghis Khan.

A polyglot who speaks several languages, including English and Russian as well as her native Mongolian, Batsukh was a translator and interpreter. Per Biography Host, she first worked with her future husband as an interpreter, then as an assistant. While it was strictly professional at first, their relationship ultimately became more than that.

Although no photos of their nuptials have been released to the public and they choose to keep their personal life private, People reported that the couple married in 2009.

In September that year they welcomed their only child, son Kunzang.

By the time he met Batsukh, Seagal had been married three times: to Miyako Fujitani, the Japanese daughter of an aikido master, in 1974; to actress Adrienne Larussa in 1984; and in 1987 to his Hard to Kill co-star Kelly LeBrock.

Though Batsukh’s marriage to the Executive Decision actor is hardly his first, it’s his longest and it’s clear that the bond the couple share is strong. In a 2018 post on Seagal’s Instagram account, Batsukh left a heartfelt message wishing her husband a happy birthday and expressing her admiration for him.

“My darling husband,” the message reads, “I couldn’t be more proud of you today for having lived such a wonderful life where you have achieved and accomplished so much in just one lifetime and you did it all with honour, love and truthfulness! Men like you are rare this day and age who are courageous enough to speak the truth and stand for the right, and compassionate enough to risk your life to fight evil! You protect and heal the weak and the sick and you teach and lead the ignorant and the lost. Your true spirit, deep wisdom and undying love and devotion to mankind will always shine through darkness, jealousy and hatred! … Wishing you a very Happy Birthday my love!

Your devoted wife, Erdenetuya Seagal.”

In addition to being a professional dancer, translator and interpreter, Batsukh has added “actress” to her impressive résumé. In the 2019 action thriller General Commander, she appeared alongside her husband in the role of Tuya Alexander.

By Saul Lipchik