Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg.
Putin, a graduate of Leningrad State University's Law Faculty in 1975, also obtained a PhD in Economics. This diverse educational background laid the foundation for a varied career that began in state security operations. He spent a significant period in East Germany from 1985 to 1990.
Starting in 1990, Putin served as an assistant to the rector of Leningrad State University for international affairs, later becoming an advisor to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.
In the early 1990s, Putin ventured into the political arena and quickly advanced in his career. By 1991, he was already chairing the Committee for External Relations of the Saint Petersburg Mayor's Office. Shortly after, he rose to higher positions within the Saint Petersburg Government, ultimately becoming the first deputy chairman there. Putin's political journey took a significant turn in 1998 when he was appointed as the director of the Federal Security Service. Subsequently, in 1999, he assumed the post of prime minister. On December 31, 1999, Putin took on the role of acting president, which was solidified when he won the presidential election on March 26, 2000.
President Putin has been re-elected multiple times, demonstrating enduring public support and a significant impact on both domestic and international fronts. He received 52.9% of the vote in the 2000 elections and an overwhelming 71.31% in 2004. After a brief stint as prime minister from 2008, he was re-elected as president in 2012 and 2018, with his latest victory in 2018 garnering 76.69% of the vote. Despite constitutional term limits, amendments passed in 2020 paved the way for Putin to seek re-election, resulting in a landslide win in the 2024 race with 87.28% of the vote. These results underline his enduring influence in Russian politics.
Vladimir Putin’s leadership continues to shape Russia’s trajectory, with his initiatives and policies influencing the nation’s direction and his activities drawing interest from both supporters and analysts worldwide. His personal life, including his two daughters Maria (born 1985) and Katerina (born 1986), adds a more personal side to his political persona, contributing to his complex and multifaceted public image.