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 Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer. He has served as President of Russia since 2012, and previously from 2000 to 2008. He was also Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Often described as the de facto leader of Russia since 2000, Putin's long tenure has significantly shaped the country's political landscape and international relations.

Sections (6)

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

July 1983: Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva

On 28 July 1983, Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva.

April 1985: Birth of Maria Putina

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

August 1986: Birth of Yekaterina Putina

On 31 August 1986, Yekaterina Putina, Vladimir Putin's daughter, was born in Dresden, East Germany (now Germany).

1990: Putin lived in East Germany

From 1985 to 1990, Putin and his wife lived in East Germany.

1990: Paris Charter summit

In 1990 the Paris Charter summit convened governments, the U.S., and the Soviet Union as Communism crumbled across Eastern Europe.

1993: Putin's wife involved in a serious car crash

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

August 1996: Fire burns down Putin's dacha

In August 1996, a life-threatening fire burned down Vladimir Putin's dacha, which he stated contributed to his religious awakening.

1996: Putin rebuilds dacha and creates Ozero cooperative

In 1996, after his dacha burned down, Putin built a new one identical to the original. He and a group of seven friends formally registered their fraternity as a cooperative society called Ozero, turning it into a gated community.

March 2003: Birth of Elizaveta

Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, was born in March 2003.

2006: Incident of Putin kissing a boy's stomach

In 2006, Putin lifted the shirt of a boy to kiss his stomach without permission. Tatiana Mikhailova opines that virility is an aspect of the image of the Father of the Nation, which Putin wants to create.

2006: Putin's reported income

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

May 2007: Act of Canonical Communion Signed

On 17 May 2007, Vladimir Putin actively promoted the Act of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate, which restored relations between the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia after an 80-year schism.

2007: Komsomolskaya Pravda publishes shirtless photo of Putin

In 2007, Komsomolskaya Pravda published a large photograph of a shirtless Putin on vacation in Siberia with the headline "Be Like Putin", as part of cultivating a tough guy image.

2007: Putin's remarks on his religious beliefs

In 2007, when asked if he believes in God, Vladimir Putin stated that he would not share his beliefs with the public as it would be seen as self-advertising.

2007: Official figures released during the legislative election

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

April 2008: Moskovsky Korrespondent reports Putin's divorce and engagement

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

2009: Putin gifts watches

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

August 2012: Critics list Putin's numerous 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: Birth of Putin's grandson through Maria

In 2012, Putin had a grandson born through his daughter Maria.

2012: Putin's reported income

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

June 2013: Putin and Lyudmila announce their marriage is over

On 6 June 2013, Putin and Lyudmila announced that their marriage was over.

April 2014: Kremlin confirms Putin's divorce

On 1 April 2014, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin's divorce had been finalised.

2014: Death of Putin's dog Konni

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

2017: Birth of Putin's grandson and granddaughter

In 2017, Putin had a grandson through Maria and a granddaughter through Katerina.

2018: Allegation of sensory room in Putin's 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.

November 2021: Burns observed Putin personally

In November 2021, William Burns, who had previously been U.S. ambassador to Russia, had a personal meeting and observed Putin personally.

April 2022: Speculation about Putin having Parkinson's disease

In April 2022, The Sun reported, based on video footage, that Vladimir Putin might have Parkinson's disease. This speculation, not supported by medical professionals, has spread in part due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

July 2022: CIA Director states there's no evidence of Putin's instability or bad health

In July 2022, the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, stated that they had no evidence to suggest Vladimir Putin was unstable or in bad health. This statement was made because of increasing unconfirmed media speculation about Putin's health.

August 2024: Putin Pardons Gershkovich and Others in Prisoner Swap

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

May 2025: Putin Attends Victory Day Parade with Foreign Leaders

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