Biographie

Believed to be the wealthiest man in the world. Hermitage Capital Management CEO Bill Browder, who invested heavily in Russia in the 1990s and subsequently became an outspoken critic of Putin, stated that Putin has amassed a fortune of roughly $200 billion spread across a vast network of accounts and revenue streams. Though difficult to verify, this would make Putin wealthier than Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates combined (2018).

A lifelong practitioner of the martial arts, he holds a black belt in judo.

A former KGB agent active for 15 years in the foreign intelligence service. Retired from the agency in 1990.

Became the acting President following Boris Yeltsin's resignation on December 31, 1999. He was then elected President of Russia on May 7 2000 with 52.94% of the vote, for a four year term. He was re-elected in 2004, for another four year term, in 2012, for a six year term, in 2018, for another six year term and yet in 2024, for another six year term.

Is an avid swimmer, equestrian, and personal fitness fanatic.

[at the break-up of his 30-year marriage] Lyudmila Alexandrovna has done her shift.

Elton John, he's an extraordinary person, a distinguished musician. And millions of our people sincerely love him, regardless of his sexual orientation.

We do not have a ban on non-traditional sexual relationships. We have a ban on the propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia. I want to underline this. Propaganda among children. These are absolutely different things--a ban on something or a ban on the propaganda of that thing.

We have our own traditions, our own culture. We have respect for all of our international partners and ask that they also respect our own traditions and culture.

[on homosexuals] We aren't banning anything, we aren't rounding up anyone, we have no criminal punishment for such relations, unlike many other countries. One can feel relaxed and at ease, but please leave the children in peace.