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 prominent Russian politician who has significantly shaped Russia's trajectory in the 21st century. A former intelligence officer, he served as President of Russia from 2000-2008 and again from 2012 to the present. He also held the position of Prime Minister twice (1999-2000 and 2008-2012). Often regarded as the de facto leader of Russia since 2000, his leadership has been characterized by a strong emphasis on national sovereignty, centralized power, and assertive foreign policy.

Sections (6)

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

1940: Birth of brother Viktor

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

1941: Death of Maternal Grandmother

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

1942: Death of brother Viktor

In 1942, Putin's brother, Viktor, died of diphtheria and starvation during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II.

1942: Father Wounded in War

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

October 1952: Birth of Vladimir Putin

In October 1952, Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia).

October 1952: Vladimir Putin's Birth

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

September 1960: Started School at School No. 193

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

1970: Studied Law at Leningrad State University

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

1975: Graduated from Leningrad State University

In 1975, Vladimir Putin graduated from Leningrad State University.

1978: Publication of "Strategic Planning and Policy"

In 1978, the book "Strategic Planning and Policy" by King and Cleland was published, which Vladimir Putin later allegedly used in his thesis.

July 1983: Putin Marries Lyudmila Shkrebneva

On July 28, 1983, Vladimir Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva.

April 1985: Birth of Maria Putina

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

August 1986: Birth of Yekaterina Putina

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

November 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall

In November 1989, during the fall of the Berlin Wall, Putin reportedly saved the files of the Soviet Cultural Center and KGB villa in Dresden.

1989: Confrontations with Anti-Communist Protestors

In 1989, while posted in Dresden, Putin confronted East Germany's anti-communist protestors who attempted to occupy the city's Stasi buildings.

1990: End of Putin's Assignment in East Germany

In 1990, Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila concluded their assignment in East Germany, where they had been living since 1985.

1990: Democratic partnership with Russia in the 1990 Paris Charter

Western nations must start the turnaround by emphatically refuting one of Mr. Putin's favorite claims: that the West abrogated the promise of democratic partnership with Russia in the 1990 Paris Charter.

1991: End of Communist Party Membership

In 1991, Vladimir Putin's membership in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) ceased when the party dissolved.

1993: Car Crash Involving Putin's Wife

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

August 1996: Fire at Putin's Dacha

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

1996: Putin Builds Dacha and Forms Ozero Cooperative

In 1996, after his dacha burned down, Vladimir Putin built a new one identical to the original in Solovyovka. He was joined by a group of seven friends who built dachas nearby. The group formally registered their fraternity as a co-operative society, calling it Ozero ("Lake") and turning it into a gated community.

1997: Received degree in economics

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

2000: Co-Authors "Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin"

In 2000, Vladimir Putin co-authored a book titled 'Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin' in Russian.

March 2003: Alleged Birth of Elizaveta Rozova

In March 2003, Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, was allegedly born to Svetlana Krivonogikh and Vladimir Putin.

2004: Publishes "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in English

In 2004, Vladimir Putin published 'Judo: History, Theory, Practice' in English.

2006: Putin's Reported Income

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

June 2007: Putin's Approval Rating Reaches 81%

In June 2007, Vladimir Putin's public approval rating reached 81%, making it the second-highest of any world leader that year.

2007: Official Figures Release Putin's Wealth

In 2007, official figures released during the legislative election put Vladimir 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.

2007: Komsomolskaya Pravda Publishes Shirtless Putin Photo

In 2007, the tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda published a large photograph of a shirtless Vladimir Putin vacationing in the Siberian mountains, with the headline "Be Like Putin," contributing to his cult of personality.

2009: Putin Gives Away Expensive Watches

In 2009, Vladimir Putin was known to give watches valued at thousands of dollars as gifts. In one instance he gifted a watch identified as a Blancpain to a Siberian boy while on vacation, and in another similar watch to a factory worker in the same year.

August 2012: Critics List Putin's Residences

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

2012: Patriarch Kirill Endorses Putin

In 2012, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, endorsed Putin's election, describing his terms as "a miracle of God" and solidifying the alliance between the church and the state.

2012: Birth of Putin's Grandson through Maria

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

2012: Putin Reports Income of 3.6 Million Rubles

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

2012: Putin Awarded Eighth Dan Black Belt

In 2012, Vladimir Putin was awarded the eighth dan of the black belt, becoming the first Russian to achieve the status.

2012: Founding of the Izborsky Club

In 2012, the Izborsky Club, founded by Alexander Prokhanov, emphasized Russian nationalism, restoration of Russia's historical greatness, and opposition to liberal ideas and policies.

January 2013: Putin's Approval Rating Drops to 62%

In January 2013, during the 2011–2013 Russian protests, Vladimir Putin's approval rating fell to 62%, the lowest since 2000.

June 2013: Putin and Lyudmila Announce End of Marriage

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

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 Finalized

On April 1, 2014, the Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin's divorce from Lyudmila had been finalized.

August 2014: Putin's Approval Rating Climbs to 87%

In August 2014, amid increased diplomatic isolation and international sanctions due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, Vladimir Putin's approval rating reached 87%.

2014: Death of Putin's Dog, Konni

In 2014, Konni, one of the dogs given to Vladimir Putin by various national leaders, died.

2014: Putin Rewarded Eighth-Degree Karate Black Belt

In 2014, Vladimir Putin was rewarded an eighth-degree karate black belt.

June 2015: Putin's Approval Rating Reaches All-Time High of 89%

In June 2015, Vladimir Putin's approval rating climbed to 89%, an all-time high.

2015: Reported Birth of Putin's Daughter with Kabaeva (Denied)

In 2015, it was reported that Alina Kabaeva gave birth to a daughter by Vladimir Putin; however, this report was denied.

2017: Putin dispatches Russian PMCs to Central African Republic

In 2017, Vladimir Putin dispatched Russian PMCs to back the Touadéra regime in the Central African Republic Civil War, gaining a permanent military presence in return.

2017: Birth of Putin's Grandson through Maria and Granddaughter through Katerina

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

2018: Allegation of Sensory Room Installation

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

October 2019: Putin Visits the United Arab Emirates and Strikes Agreements

In October 2019, Vladimir Putin visited the United Arab Emirates and secured six agreements with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, including shared investments between Russian and Emirati investment funds. Deals worth over $1.3 billion were signed in the energy, health, and advanced technology sectors.

October 2019: Russia-Africa Summit held in Sochi

In October 2019, the first Russia-Africa Summit was held in Sochi, Russia, co-hosted by Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The meeting was attended by 43 heads of state and government from African countries.

2019: Reported Birth of Twin Sons by Putin and Kabaeva

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

November 2020: Proekt Alleges Putin has Another Daughter

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

2020: Putin's stance on abortion

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

2020: Support for Constitutional Amendment Defining 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.

October 2021: Putin Highlights "Unique Bond" Between Russia and Israel

On 22 October 2021, Vladimir Putin highlighted the "unique bond" between Russia and Israel during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

November 2021: Burns had a Personal Meeting with Putin

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

2022: Swiss Media Report Kabaeva Gave Birth to Boys

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

November 2023: Putin Urges Russian Women to Have More Children

In November 2023, Putin urged Russian women to have "seven, eight, or even more children" and stated that "large families must become the norm" during a speech to the World Russian People's Council.

February 2024: Putin's Interview with Tucker Carlson

In February 2024, since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, Putin granted an interview to Western journalist Tucker Carlson, marking a rare instance of such engagement.