Early Life and Education of Vladimir Putin: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Vladimir Putin, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician, the current President of Russia (since 2012), and previously held the office from 2000 to 2008. He also served as Prime Minister of Russia (1999-2000 and 2008-2012) and is considered the de facto leader of Russia since 1999/2000. Putin's leadership has significantly shaped Russia's domestic and foreign policy over the past two decades.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1940: Birth of brother Viktor

In 1940, Viktor Putin, Vladimir Putin's brother, was born.

1941: Grandmother killed by German Occupiers

In 1941, Vladimir Putin's maternal grandmother was killed by German occupiers of Tver region.

1942: Death of brother Viktor

In 1942, Viktor Putin, Vladimir Putin's brother, died of diphtheria and starvation during the Siege of Leningrad.

1942: Father Wounded in War

In 1942, Vladimir Putin's father was severely wounded while serving in the regular army during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union.

October 1952: Birth

In October 1952, Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union.

October 1952: Birth of Vladimir Putin

In October 1952, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born. He is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer.

September 1960: Started School

In September 1960, Vladimir Putin started at School No. 193 at Baskov Lane.

1970: Studied Law at Leningrad State University

In 1970, Vladimir Putin studied law at the Leningrad State University.

1975: Graduation from Leningrad State University

In 1975, Vladimir Putin graduated from Leningrad State University.

July 1983: Putin Marries Lyudmila Shkrebneva

On 28 July 1983, Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva, marking the beginning of their marriage.

April 1985: Birth of Maria Putina

On 28 April 1985, Putin's daughter, Maria Putina, was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), expanding his family.

August 1986: Birth of Yekaterina Putina

On 31 August 1986, Putin's daughter, Yekaterina Putina, was born in Dresden, East Germany, further expanding his family.

November 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall

During the fall of the Berlin Wall that began on November 9, 1989, Vladimir Putin saved the files of the Soviet Cultural Center and of the KGB villa in Dresden.

1989: Confrontations with Anti-Communist Protestors

In 1989, Vladimir Putin recounted his confrontations with anti-communist protestors in Dresden.

1990: Putin and Lyudmila return to Russia

From 1985 to 1990 Putin and his family lived in East Germany. In 1990, they returned to Russia.

1991: End of Communist Party Membership

In 1991, Vladimir Putin's membership with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) ended when it ceased to exist.

1993: Putin's Wife Involved in Car Crash

In 1993, Vladimir Putin's wife was involved in a serious car crash, which, according to Putin, contributed to his religious awakening.

August 1996: Dacha Fire and Religious Awakening

In August 1996, a life-threatening fire burned down Vladimir Putin's dacha, which, according to Putin, marked the beginning of his religious awakening.

1996: Dacha Burns Down and Ozero Cooperative is Registered

In 1996, Putin's dacha burned down, and he built a new one identical to the original. Also in 1996, Putin and a group of friends formally registered their fraternity as a cooperative society called Ozero, turning it into a gated community.

1997: Received Degree in Economics

In 1997, Vladimir Putin received a degree in economics at the Saint Petersburg Mining University.

March 2003: Alleged birth of Putin's daughter Elizaveta

In March 2003, Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, was allegedly born, further expanding Putin's family. Elizaveta studied in Paris under the name Elizaveta Olegovna Rudnova.

2006: Putin kisses boy's stomach

In 2006, Putin kissed a boy's stomach after lifting his shirt, which, while considered transgressive by some standards, did not provoke significant outrage in Russia.

2006: Putin's Reported Income

Putin's reported 2006 income totaled 2 million rubles (approximately $152,000), according to official figures.

May 2007: Act of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate

As president, Putin took an active personal part in promoting the Act of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate, signed 17 May 2007, which restored relations between the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia after the 80-year schism.

2007: Komsomolskaya Pravda "Be Like Putin" Campaign

In 2007, Komsomolskaya Pravda published a photo of a shirtless Putin with the headline "Be Like Putin", contributing to his cultivated image as a virile and tough leader.

2007: CIA Estimate of Putin's Wealth

In 2007, the CIA estimated Putin's wealth at $40 billion, according to Polygraph.info.

2007: Putin Discusses His Beliefs in God

In 2007, when asked whether he believes in God, Putin stated that there are things he believes that he shouldn't share with the public because it would look like self-advertising or a political striptease.

2007: Putin's Reported Wealth

Official figures released during the 2007 legislative election put Putin's wealth at approximately 3.7 million rubles (US$280,000) in bank accounts, a private 77.4-square-meter apartment in Saint Petersburg, and miscellaneous other assets.

April 2008: Moskovsky Korrespondent reports Putin divorce and engagement

In April 2008, the Moskovsky Korrespondent reported that Putin had divorced Lyudmila and was engaged to marry Alina Kabaeva, a former rhythmic gymnast and Russian politician. The story was denied, and the newspaper was shut down shortly thereafter.

2009: Putin Gifts Blancpain Watch

In 2009, Putin gave a Blancpain watch as a gift to a Siberian boy he met while on vacation, and another similar watch to a factory worker the same year.

August 2012: Critics List Putin's Residences

In August 2012, critics of Putin listed the ownership of 20 villas and palaces, nine of which were built during Putin's 12 years in power.

2012: Orthodox Church Endorsement

In 2012, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, endorsed Putin's election, stating Putin's terms were like "a miracle of God".

2012: Birth of First Grandson

In 2012, Putin had his first grandson through his daughter Maria.

2012: Putin's Reported Income

In 2012, Putin reported an income of 3.6 million rubles ($270,000), as per official records.

2012: Founding of Izborsky Club

In 2012, the Izborsky Club was founded by the conservative right-wing journalist Alexander Prokhanov. The club stresses Russian nationalism, the restoration of Russia's historical greatness, and systematic opposition to liberal ideas and policies.

June 2013: Putin and Lyudmila Announce Marriage is Over

On 6 June 2013, Putin and Lyudmila announced that their marriage was over, marking a significant change in their relationship.

2013: Gay athletes at Sochi Winter Olympics

In 2013, Putin stated that gay athletes would not face any discrimination at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

April 2014: Kremlin Confirms Putin's Divorce

On 1 April 2014, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin's divorce had been finalised, officially ending his marriage with Lyudmila.

2014: Death of Dog Konni

In 2014, Konni, one of the five dogs that Vladimir Putin had received from various national leaders, died.

2015: Reported birth of Putin's daughter with Kabaeva

In 2015, Kabaeva reportedly gave birth to a daughter by Putin. This report was denied.

2017: Birth of Second Grandson and Granddaughter

In 2017, Putin had a second grandson through Maria and reportedly a granddaughter through Katerina, expanding his family.

2018: Allegations of Sensory Room Installation in Private Residence

In 2018, the Russian political magazine Sobesednik alleged that Vladimir Putin had a sensory room installed in his private residence in the Novgorod Oblast.

2019: Reported birth of Putin's twin sons with Kabaeva

In 2019, Kabaeva reportedly gave birth to twin sons by Putin.

November 2020: Proekt Investigation Alleges Another Daughter

In November 2020, an investigation by Proekt alleged that Putin has another daughter, Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, born in March 2003, with Svetlana Krivonogikh.

2020: Efforts to reduce abortions

In 2020, Putin supported efforts to reduce the number of abortions instead of prohibiting it.

2020: Support for constitutional referendum on marriage

In 2020, Putin supported the Russian constitutional referendum, which passed and defined marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman in the Constitution of Russia.

November 2021: CIA Director Observes Putin in Person

In November 2021, William Burns, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, had a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin and observed him for over two decades.

April 2022: Reported Speculation of Parkinson's Disease Based on Video Footage

In April 2022, tabloid newspaper The Sun reported that based on video footage, Vladimir Putin may have Parkinson's disease, a speculation which has not been supported by medical professionals.

July 2022: CIA Director States No Evidence of Putin's Unstable Health

In July 2022, the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, stated they had no evidence to suggest Vladimir Putin was unstable or in bad health.

2022: Swiss media contradicts report on Kabaeva's births

In 2022, Swiss media, citing the couple's Swiss gynecologist, wrote that on both occasions Kabaeva gave birth to a boy.

November 2023: Speech to World Russian People's Council

On 28 November 2023, during a speech to the World Russian People's Council, Putin urged Russian women to have "seven, eight, or even more children" and said "large families must become the norm, a way of life for all of Russia's people".

February 2024: Interview with Tucker Carlson

In February 2024, Putin granted an interview to Tucker Carlson, marking the only time since the 2022 Ukraine invasion that he spoke to a Western journalist.

August 2024: Prisoner Swap with Western Countries

In August 2024, Putin pardoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich, opposition figures Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, and others in a prisoner swap with Western countries. This 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange was the most extensive between Russia and United States since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of 26 people.

May 2025: Victory Day Parade in Moscow

In May 2025, Putin attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and other foreign leaders.