Vladimir Putin is the current President of the Russian Federation and is considered a highly controversial figure. He was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, Russia, and grew up in a poor family. Putin's grandfather was Vladimir Lenin's personal cook, and his father was a mechanic. Putin's early life was marked by a love for martial arts and a desire to work in government agencies. He graduated from the law faculty of Leningrad State University and joined the KGB, where he worked his way up the ranks.
Putin's rise to power began in the 1990s, when he became an adviser to the Mayor of St. Petersburg and later the First Deputy Chairman of the Government of St. Petersburg. In 1997, he was appointed Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, and in 1998, he became the Head of the Russian FSB.
In 1999, Putin became the Acting President of Russia, and in 2000, he was elected President with 51.95% of the vote. He served two terms as President and then became Prime Minister, before returning to the presidency in 2012. Putin has been accused of election fraud, adopting anti-liberal laws, and invading neighboring territories, leading many to call him a modern dictator.
Despite this, Putin remains a popular figure in Russia, and many credit him with reviving the country's economy and restoring its status as a superpower. Putin's personal life is also subject to much speculation, with rumors of an affair with Olympic champion gymnast Alina Kabaeva and allegations of hidden wealth.
Putin's official income is listed as 720,000 rubles per month, but his actual wealth is estimated to be much higher, with some sources suggesting he has a net worth of $40 billion to $200 billion. Putin owns several luxury items, including a yacht, a plane, and 11 luxury wristwatches, and is known for his love of expensive suits and accessories.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Vladimir Putin is the current president of the Russian Federation.
2. Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad.
3. He was the third child in his family, with two older brothers who died before his birth.
4. Putin's grandfather was Vladimir Lenin's personal cook.
5. Putin grew up in a communal apartment with his family.
6. He was not an exemplary student and was not accepted into the pioneers until he was in the 6th class.
7. Putin became interested in martial arts at the age of 11.
8. He enrolled in the law faculty of Leningrad State University.
9. Putin joined the KGB in 1975.
10. He was trained in a unit now called the foreign intelligence school.
11. Putin was sent to Dresden in 1985 under cover as a house director.
12. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and received a medal for merit from the National People's Army of the GDR.
13. Putin returned to the Leningrad department of the KGB after completing his trip abroad.
14. He became an adviser to the mayor of St. Petersburg in 1990.
15. Putin took the helm of the regional branch of the NDR party in 1992.
16. He was accused of fraud in the program of supplying St. Petersburg with food in exchange for raw materials.
17. Putin was appointed deputy manager of the affairs of the President of the Russian Federation in 1996.
18. He oversaw the legal department and management of foreign property of Russia.
19. Putin was appointed deputy head of the presidential administration of the Russian Federation in 1997.
20. He headed the Russian FSB in 1998.
21. Putin took the post of secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation in 1998.
22. He became the Chairman of the Government in 1999.
23. Putin began to assume the duties of President on December 31, 1999.
24. He won the presidential election in 2000 with 51.95% of the votes.
25. Putin transferred power to Dmitry Medvedev in 2008 and became prime minister.
26. He visited the Ussuri nature reserve in 2008 and participated in a program to save Ussuri tigers.
27. Putin ran for president again in 2011 and won with 63.6% of the votes.
28. He took office as head of state for the third time in 2012.
29. Putin attended the Esmeralda ballet in the State Kremlin Palace in 2013 and announced his divorce from his wife, Lyudmila.
30. He was re-elected as president in 2018 with 76.69% of the vote.
31. Putin has been accused of election fraud, adoption of anti-liberal laws, and invasion of neighboring territories.
32. He has been called a modern dictator by some political figures.
33. Putin has an estimated net worth of $40 billion, according to political scientist Stanislav Belkovsky.
34. International financier Bill Browder estimated Putin's fortune at $200 billion.
35. Putin owns a bank account with 13.2 million rubles, according to his election declaration.
36. He has a plot of land with an area of 1.5 thousand square meters in St. Petersburg.
37. Putin has several hobbies, including skiing, ice skating, and collecting geographical maps and postage stamps.
38. He is an avid dog lover and has owned several dogs, including a Labrador puppy and a Bulgarian shepherd dog.
39. Putin has been known to wear luxury watches, including a Patek Philippe watch worth $60,000.
40. He has a collection of 11 luxury wristwatches with a total value of $700,000.