Born on August 28, 1957, in Chelyabinsk. 

1979: graduated from the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Construction Management and Economics; and in 1995, from the Academy of the National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation.

Mr Khristenko has a Doctoral degree in Economics, and has published a number of research papers.

1990: elected a deputy to the Chelyabinsk City Council.

1991-1996: Deputy Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region.

1997: Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Chelyabinsk Region.

1997-1998: Deputy Finance Minister.

1998: Deputy Prime Minister.

1998-1999: First Deputy Finance Minister.

May 1999: First Deputy Prime Minister.

January 10, 2000: Deputy Prime Minister.

February 24-March 5, 2004: Acting Prime Minister.

March 9, 2004: Minister of Industry and Energy.

May 12, 2008: Minister of Industry and Trade.

State awards: a Commendation from the President of the Russian Federation (1999), a Certificate of Merit from the Government of the Russian Federation (2005), and the Order for the Services to the Fatherland, 4th Class (2006).

Married, with three children.