Biographies of presidents of Russia

This section presents the official biographies of presidents of Russia. The Russian Federation held its first presidential election on June 12, 1991.

Vladimir Putin

Elected on March 17, 2024

Putin Vladimir

Biography

1952
Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad on October 7, 1952.
1975
In 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from Leningrad State University. He later earned a Ph.D. degree in economics.
1985–1990
After graduation, Mr. Putin was assigned to work in the KGB. From 1985 to 1990, he worked in East Germany.
1990
In 1990, he became assistant to the rector of Leningrad State University responsible for international affairs. His next position was an advisor to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.
1991, 1994
In June 1991, he became chairman of the St. Petersburg City Council’s International Relations Committee and, starting with 1994, he combined this post with the position of First Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg City Government (First Deputy Mayor).
1996
In August 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the President’s Administrative Directorate (Property Management Directorate).
1997
In March 1997, he became deputy head of the Executive Office of the President (Presidential Administration) and head of the Central Supervision and Inspections Directorate.
1998
In May 1998, he was promoted to first deputy head of the Presidential Administration.
1998, 1999
In July 1998, he was appointed director of the Federal Security Service and, as of March 1999, he combined this position with that of Secretary of the Security Council.
1999
In August 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister.
1999
On December 31, 1999, he became acting President.
2000
On March 26, 2000, he was elected President of Russia and was inaugurated on May 7, 2000.
2004
On March 14, 2004, he was elected President of Russia for the second term.
2008
Since May 8, 2008, Vladimir Putin is a Prime Minister of Russia.
2012
On March 4, 2012, he was elected President of Russia and inaugurated on May 7, 2012.
2018
On March 18, 2018, he was re-elected President of Russia. Assumed office on May 7, 2018.
2024
Won Russia’s presidential election held on March 15–17, 2024. Assumed office on May 7, 2024.
Vladimir Putin has two daughters: Maria (1985), Katerina (1986).

Dmitry Medvedev

President of Russia in 2008–2012

Medvedev Dmitry

Biography

1965
Born September 14, 1965, in Leningrad.
1987, 1990
Graduated from the Faculty of Law of Leningrad State University in 1987 and completed his post-graduate studies at Leningrad State University in 1990. Holds a PhD in law and the title of associate professor.
1990–1999
Lectured at St Petersburg State University.
1990–1995
At the same time was an adviser to the Chairman of the Leningrad City Council and an expert consultant to the St Petersburg City Hall’s Committee for External Affairs.
1999
Deputy Government Chief of Staff.
1999–2000
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
2000–2003
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
2000–2001
Chairman of the Board of Directors of OAO Gazprom, in 2001 – Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of OAO Gazprom, from June 2002 – Chairman of the Board of Directors of OAO Gazprom.
2003–2005
Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
2005
In November, appointed First Deputy Prime Minister.
2008
March 2, Elected President of the Russian Federation.
2012
Since May 8 – Prime Minister of Russia.
2020
On January 16 was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
Married to Svetlana Vladimirovna Medvedeva. The Medvedevs have a son, Ilya (born 1995).

Boris Yeltsin

President of Russia in 1991–1999

Yeltsin Boris

Biography

1931
Mr Yeltsin was born on February 1, 1931, in Sverdlovsk Region.
1955–1985
After graduating from the Urals Polytechnic Institute in 1955, Mr Yeltsin worked for 30 years in the Sverdlovsk Region, eventually becoming first secretary of the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee of the Soviet Communist Party.
Mr Yeltsin was then transferred to Moscow, where he headed the Soviet Communist Party Central Committee's construction department. He became secretary of the Central Committee, and then first secretary of the Moscow City Communist Party Committee.
1987
In 1987, Mr Yeltsin was dismissed from his posts and returned to the political scene only in March 1989, when he won more than 80 percent of the vote in the country's first democratic elections and was elected a Soviet people's deputy. In 1990, he was elected chairman of the Russian Supreme Council and that same year declared that he was leaving the Communist Party.
1991
On 12 June Mr Yeltsin was elected first president of the Russian Federation in a national election, winning more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round.
1996
Mr Yeltsin was re-elected president on July 3 winning almost 54 percent of the vote in the second round.
1999
On December 31, Mr Yeltsin signed a decree announcing that he was stepping down from his post as president.
2007
Boris Yeltsin died on April 23 of a heart attack.