Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, is a figure shrouded in mystery regarding his wealth. With rumors and reports of extravagant possessions and a lifestyle that belies his official salary, Putin’s net worth is a topic of intrigue and speculation.
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Vladimir Putin Net Worth
Vladimir Putin, a Russian politician, has an estimated net worth of $70 billion. He started his political career in the early 1990s and served as Deputy Mayor of Saint Petersburg. In 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister by President Boris Yeltsin, who later resigned, making Putin the Acting President of Russia.
Vladimir Putin’s Secret Billion Dollar Fortune
Official disclosures list Putin’s annual Presidential salary at $187,000 (5.8 million rubles). In 2012, he reported an income of 3.6 million rubles ($113,000). Putin claims to have a modest net worth, with $180,000 in a savings account, a few Russian-made automobiles, and a 16,000-square-foot plot of land in the Moscow suburbs. Lyudmila’s ex-wife controls bank accounts totaling $260,000, making their combined claimed net worth under $500,000.
Critics assert that Putin has used his power to build secret ownership stakes in several multi-billion dollar commodity firms. He has a 4.5% stake in natural gas producer Gazprom, a 37% stake in oil company Surgutneftegas, and a 50% stake in Swiss oil trader Gunvor. Gazprom alone has an annual revenue of over $150 billion, Gunvor $80 billion, and Surgutneftegas over $20 billion. Based on recent market capitalizations, these stakes would give Putin a personal net worth of $70 billion.
Who is Vladimir Putin?
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born October 7, 1952) is the president of Russia and a former intelligence officer. He has held continuous positions as president or prime minister since 1999. Putin worked as a KGB officer for 16 years before resigning in 1991 to start his political career in Saint Petersburg. He later joined the administration of President Boris Yeltsin, briefly served as director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), and became prime minister in 1999. Following Yeltsin’s resignation, Putin became acting president and was elected president in 2000.
Early life
Vladimir Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia). He was the youngest of three children of Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin and Maria Ivanovna Putina. His grandfather, Spiridon Putin, was a personal cook to Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. Putin’s birth was preceded by the deaths of his two brothers: Albert, who died in infancy, and Viktor, who died during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II.
Putin’s mother was a factory worker, and his father served in the Soviet Navy and later in the NKVD during World War II. His maternal grandmother was killed by German occupiers, and his maternal uncles disappeared on the Eastern Front during the war.
Education
On September 1, 1960, Vladimir Putin started at School No. 193 at Baskov Lane in Leningrad. At age 12, he began practicing sambo and judo and enjoyed reading Marx, Engels, and Lenin in his free time. Putin studied German at Saint Petersburg High School 281 and speaks both German and English.
He studied law at Leningrad State University, graduating in 1975, and was required to join the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Putin met Anatoly Sobchak, an influential figure in his career. In 1997, Putin received a degree in economics from Saint Petersburg Mining University. His thesis on energy dependencies was controversial, with accusations of plagiarism.
Political career
In May 1990, Vladimir Putin was appointed an advisor on international affairs to the mayor of Leningrad, Anatoly Sobchak. He resigned from the KGB in 1991 following a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev. In June 1991, Putin became head of the Committee for External Relations of the Mayor’s Office, promoting international relations and foreign investments.
Despite recommendations for his dismissal due to irregularities in metal exports, Putin remained in his role until 1996. From 1994 to 1996, he held various political positions in Saint Petersburg. After Sobchak lost his re-election bid in 1996, Putin moved to Moscow, where he was appointed deputy chief of the Presidential Property Management Department.
In 1998, Putin became director of the Federal Security Service (FSB). The following year, he was appointed prime minister by President Boris Yeltsin and later became acting president when Yeltsin resigned in December 1999. Putin was elected president in 2000 and reelected in 2004. He served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012 under Dmitry Medvedev and returned to the presidency in 2012.
Personal Life
Vladimir Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva on July 28, 1983. They lived in East Germany from 1985 to 1990 and have two daughters: Mariya, born in 1985, and Yekaterina, born in 1986. An investigation in 2020 alleged that Putin has another daughter, Elizaveta, with Svetlana Krivonogikh.
In April 2008, rumors surfaced about Putin’s relationship with Olympic gold medalist Alina Kabaeva, but these were denied. Putin and Lyudmila announced their divorce on June 6, 2013, finalized in April 2014. Putin reportedly has grandchildren through his daughters.
Is Putin Popular in Russia?
According to the Levada Center, about 85% of the Russian population approved of Putin in early 2023, indicating his high popularity in Russia.
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Conclusion
Vladimir Putin’s net worth remains one of the most debated aspects of his persona. His reported wealth, extravagant lifestyle, and the longevity of his political career make him a unique and enigmatic leader on the global stage.
FAQs about Vladimir Putin
- What Is Vladimir Putin Famous For? Putin is known for his long-standing role as the President of Russia and his influence on global politics.
- What Is the Richest President in the World? Vladimir Putin is often cited as the richest president in the world, with an estimated net worth of $70 billion.
- How Did Vladimir Putin Make His Money? While Putin’s official salary is modest, his alleged wealth is said to come from ownership of assets, luxury possessions, and rumored involvement in lucrative business deals.
- What Is Vladimir Putin’s Role in the Media? Putin maintains a strong media presence in Russia, often portrayed positively in state-controlled media, while being a subject of criticism and scrutiny in international media.
- What Is Vladimir Putin’s Stance on Global Issues? Putin is known for his assertive foreign policy, involvement in global conflicts, and advocacy for strengthening Russia’s global position.
