Born on 7 October, 1952 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). 

1975: graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University and started working for the State Security Committee (KGB).

1985-1990: worked for the KGB in East Germany.

From 1990: assistant rector of Leningrad State University for international affairs, later adviser to the Leningrad mayor.

From June 1991: chairman of the St. Petersburg City Hall's committee for foreign relations; from 1994 also held the post of first deputy mayor of St. Petersburg.

From August 1996: deputy chief of the Russian President's business administration department.

From March 1997: deputy chief of the Presidential Executive Office, chief of the President's main control department.

From May 1998: first deputy chief of the Presidential Executive Office.

July 1998: appointed director of the Federal Security Service (FSB); from March 1999 also Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

From August 1999: Prime Minister of Russia.

From 31 December, 1999: Acting President of Russia.

26 March, 2000: elected President of Russia; assumed office on May 7, 2000.

14 March, 2004: re-elected President of Russia for a second term.

8 May, 2008: appointed Prime Minister by presidential decree.

Ph.D. in Economics; fluent in German and English.

Family status: married to Lyudmila Putina, with two daughters, Maria (b. 1985) and Katerina (b. 1986).