Vladimir Putin Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
8 minute read
Updated 2:20 PM EDT, Fri March 24, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin is a popular but polarizing figure who has dominated Russian politics since he was first elected in 2000. See more photos from his life and career.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is a popular but polarizing figure who has dominated Russian politics since he was first elected in 2000. See more photos from his life and career.
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Putin poses for a class photo in 1960. He was born October 7, 1952, in what is now St. Petersburg, Russia.
Putin poses for a class photo in 1960. He was born October 7, 1952, in what is now St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Putin dances with a classmate during a party in 1970.
Putin dances with a classmate during a party in 1970.
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Putin, bottom, wrestles with a classmate in 1971. He went on to study law at Leningrad State University, and in 1975 he joined the KGB, a Soviet-era spy agency.
Putin, bottom, wrestles with a classmate in 1971. He went on to study law at Leningrad State University, and in 1975 he joined the KGB, a Soviet-era spy agency.
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Putin poses with his parents, Vladimir and Maria, in 1985. A year earlier, he was selected to attend the Red Banner Institute of Intelligence, where he learned German and English.
Putin poses with his parents, Vladimir and Maria, in 1985. A year earlier, he was selected to attend the Red Banner Institute of Intelligence, where he learned German and English.
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From 1991 to 1994, Putin served as the chairman of St. Petersburg's Foreign Relations Committee. He also served as the city's deputy mayor. Here, Putin stands with St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak during a ceremony in September 1992.
From 1991 to 1994, Putin served as the chairman of St. Petersburg's Foreign Relations Committee. He also served as the city's deputy mayor. Here, Putin stands with St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak during a ceremony in September 1992.
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Putin rose quickly through the political ranks. Here, he gives flowers to Russian President Boris Yeltsin during a farewell ceremony in Moscow in December 1999. Yeltsin, Russia's first democratically elected president, was resigning from office. Putin, his prime minister, was appointed acting president until the election, which Putin won several months later.
Putin rose quickly through the political ranks. Here, he gives flowers to Russian President Boris Yeltsin during a farewell ceremony in Moscow in December 1999. Yeltsin, Russia's first democratically elected president, was resigning from office. Putin, his prime minister, was appointed acting president until the election, which Putin won several months later.
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President-elect Putin watches Russia's Northern Fleet conduct tactical exercises in the Barents Sea in April 2000.
President-elect Putin watches Russia's Northern Fleet conduct tactical exercises in the Barents Sea in April 2000.
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Putin shakes hands with British Prime Minister Tony Blair after a news conference in London in April 2000.
Putin shakes hands with British Prime Minister Tony Blair after a news conference in London in April 2000.
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Putin dances with a young girl in Kazan, Russia, while taking part in midsummer festivities in June 2000.
Putin dances with a young girl in Kazan, Russia, while taking part in midsummer festivities in June 2000.
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Putin and US President Bill Clinton talk in Moscow in June 2000.
Putin and US President Bill Clinton talk in Moscow in June 2000.
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Putin is welcomed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il after arriving in Pyongyang in July 2000. Russia is one of the few countries that has diplomatic relations with North Korea.
Putin is welcomed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il after arriving in Pyongyang in July 2000. Russia is one of the few countries that has diplomatic relations with North Korea.
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Putin speaks to his wife, Lyudmila, as they pose in front of the Taj Mahal in India in October 2000. They were married for 30 years before their divorce was finalized in 2014. They have two daughters together.
Putin speaks to his wife, Lyudmila, as they pose in front of the Taj Mahal in India in October 2000. They were married for 30 years before their divorce was finalized in 2014. They have two daughters together.
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Putin listens to US President George W. Bush during a visit to the White House in November 2001. A few months later, the two signed a treaty to reduce and limit their strategic nuclear warheads.
Putin listens to US President George W. Bush during a visit to the White House in November 2001. A few months later, the two signed a treaty to reduce and limit their strategic nuclear warheads.
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Putin watches honor guards march at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a wreath-laying ceremony in Moscow in June 2003.
Putin watches honor guards march at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a wreath-laying ceremony in Moscow in June 2003.
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Putin leaves in an open carriage with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremonial welcome in London in June 2003.
Putin leaves in an open carriage with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremonial welcome in London in June 2003.
NICOLAS ASFOURI/Getty Images
Putin pets his dog Kuni as he addresses journalists with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in January 2007. Merkel, reportedly fearful of dogs since one attacked her in 1995, was photographed looking distinctly uncomfortable when Putin brought his large black Labrador into the meeting in Sochi, Russia. Years later, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/12/europe/putin-merkel-scared-dog/index.html" target="_blank">he told the German newspaper Bild</a> he had no intention of intimidating Merkel. "When I found out that she doesn't like dogs, of course I apologized," he said.
Putin pets his dog Kuni as he addresses journalists with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in January 2007. Merkel, reportedly fearful of dogs since one attacked her in 1995, was photographed looking distinctly uncomfortable when Putin brought his large black Labrador into the meeting in Sochi, Russia. Years later, he told the German newspaper Bild he had no intention of intimidating Merkel. "When I found out that she doesn't like dogs, of course I apologized," he said.
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In 2008, Putin had finished two terms and was constitutionally obliged to stand down as president. But he stayed close to power, becoming prime minister after Dmitry Medvedev, center, was elected to be his successor.
In 2008, Putin had finished two terms and was constitutionally obliged to stand down as president. But he stayed close to power, becoming prime minister after Dmitry Medvedev, center, was elected to be his successor.
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Putin shakes hands with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in November 2008.
Putin shakes hands with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in November 2008.
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Putin takes part in a judo training session at a St. Petersburg athletics school in December 2009. Putin holds a black belt in judo.
Putin takes part in a judo training session at a St. Petersburg athletics school in December 2009. Putin holds a black belt in judo.
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images
Putin officiates an arm-wrestling contest as he visits a youth educational forum near Russia's Lake Seliger in August 2011.
Putin officiates an arm-wrestling contest as he visits a youth educational forum near Russia's Lake Seliger in August 2011.
Mikhail Metzel/AP
Putin and Medvedev attend a session of the State Council in Moscow in December 2011. A few months later, Putin was re-elected president and Medvedev became his prime minister.
Putin and Medvedev attend a session of the State Council in Moscow in December 2011. A few months later, Putin was re-elected president and Medvedev became his prime minister.
Klimentyev Mikhail/ABACA/Newscom
During a rally in Moscow, tears run down Putin's face after he was elected president for a third term in March 2012.
During a rally in Moscow, tears run down Putin's face after he was elected president for a third term in March 2012.
Ivan Sekretarev/AP
Putin plays with his dogs Yume, left, and Buffy at his home in Novo-Ogaryovo, Russia, in March 2013.
Putin plays with his dogs Yume, left, and Buffy at his home in Novo-Ogaryovo, Russia, in March 2013.
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Putin and Dutch Queen Beatrix share a toast after unveiling a plaque at the Hermitage Amsterdam museum in April 2013. It's a branch of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Putin and Dutch Queen Beatrix share a toast after unveiling a plaque at the Hermitage Amsterdam museum in April 2013. It's a branch of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Peter Dejong/AP