The article “Sergey Lavrov: short biography, interesting facts” is about the main moments in the life of the Soviet and Russian diplomat and statesman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, full holder of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

The hero of this success story is a bright personality from whom you can learn diplomacy, tact, endurance and hard work. The face of our Foreign Minister is known in almost all countries of the world. What was his life path to this high and responsible position in the country?

Sergei Lavrov: brief biography of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Friends, you yourself understand that you cannot dig up a lot of information about the personal lives of such people on the Internet, but what you read will give a complete picture of this interesting person.

He was born in 1950, graduated with a silver medal from a Moscow school with in-depth study of the English language and entered MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations).

One drawback of the minister is that he smokes...

Let’s imagine that you don’t know who Lavrov is. They show you his photo and ask you to name the nationality of this person. Paradox! His face will suit almost any nationality: Italian, Spanish, French, Jew, Georgian, Armenian...

We recommend reading

Stop! It is known that Lavrov is of Armenian origin through his father, who was a Tbilisi Armenian named Kalantarov. Mother worked at the USSR Ministry of Foreign Trade. According to some sources, Sergei had a stepfather named Lavrov.

Career

Good start! In 1972, after graduating from the institute, Lavrov was immediately sent to work at the USSR Embassy in Sri Lanka, thanks to his knowledge of the Sinhalese language and the vacant position of attaché (the youngest diplomatic rank) at the embassy.

A big plus was the fact that Sergei Viktorovich was already married. In those days, they found fault with every little detail of the candidate. Further:

• 1976 - 1981 - work in the Directorate of International Economic Organizations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 1981 - 1988 – First Secretary, Advisor and Senior Advisor at the Permanent Mission of the USSR to the UN.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov at the award ceremony of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st degree, May 2015

• 1988 - 1990 - Deputy Head of the Department of International Economic Relations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 1990 - 1992 - Head of the Department of International Organizations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 1992 - 1992 - Director of the Department of International Organizations and Global Problems of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 1992 – 1994 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
• 1994 – 2004 - permanent representative of R.F. at the UN in New York.
• Since March 9, 2004 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Personal life

The minister's personal life is stable, successful and unchanged. During his student years, he met his only woman, with whom he officially married. Maria Alexandrovna was a student at the Pedagogical Institute and in the future received the profession of a Russian language teacher

Throughout her family life, she accompanied her husband on all trips abroad, and while working in the Soviet post. Representative office at the UN held the position of head of the mission library.

In New York, the Lavrov family was born their only daughter, Ekaterina, who was educated at a school in Manhattan and then at Columbia University. Ekaterina is married, gave birth to two children, lives in Moscow, works as the director of the Russian branch of the Christie’s auction house.

Lavrov Sergey Viktorovich- Soviet and Russian diplomat and statesman. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation since March 9, 2004. Permanent member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Full holder of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

Biography

Lavrov (Kalantarov) Sergey Viktorovich, born March 21, 1950, native of Moscow.

According to surveys conducted by VTsIOM, Sergei Lavrov has repeatedly been among the three most effective ministers of the Government of the Russian Federation. After 12 years in office, Gazeta.ru characterized Lavrov as an “impressive intellectual” who is, on a par with Shoigu, one of the most popular ministers in the country.

Relatives. Wife: Lavrova Maria Aleksandrovna, born on April 4, 1950, philologist by training. For a long time she worked in the library of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN in New York. Currently, she is a pensioner and is engaged in housekeeping.

Daughter: Vinokurova (maiden name Lavrova) Ekaterina Sergeevna, born 04/03/1983, co-director of the Russian branch of the Christie's auction house. Graduated from Columbia University and the Higher School of Economics in London. She lived outside the Russian Federation for a long time, including when her father was foreign minister. Lavrov was often criticized for this.

Hobbies. He writes poetry and loves to sing with the guitar. Wrote the MGIMO anthem. Hobby: rafting. He was one of the organizers and first president of the Russian Rowing Slalom Federation. Sergei Viktorovich loves to play football, his favorite team is Spartak (Moscow).

Education

• He graduated from Moscow school No. 607 with in-depth study of the English language with a silver medal.

• In 1972 he graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs (eastern branch).

Speaks English, studied Sinhala, Dhivehi and French.

Labor activity

• From 1972 to 1976 - trainee, attaché of the USSR Embassy in the Republic of Sri Lanka, from 1976 to 1981 he held the positions of third and second secretary of the department of international economic organizations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• From 1981 to 1988 - First Secretary, Advisor, Senior Advisor of the Permanent Mission of the USSR to the UN in New York.

• From 1988 to 1992 - deputy, first deputy head of the Department of International Economic Organizations, head of the same department of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a member of the CPSU until 1991.

• From 1991 to 1992 - Head of the Department of International Organizations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• In 1992, he was appointed director of the Department of International Organizations and Global Problems of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

• On April 3, 1992, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Oversaw the activities of the Department of International Organizations and International Economic Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Human Rights and International Cultural Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Department for CIS State Affairs of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He held this post until January 1994.

• Since March 1993 - Deputy Chairman of the Interdepartmental Commission on the participation of the Russian Federation in international organizations of the UN system.

• Since November 1993 - co-chairman of the Interdepartmental Commission for Coordinating the Participation of the Russian Federation in Peacekeeping Activities.

• From 1994 to 2004 - Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations and the UN Security Council.

• On March 9, 2004, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was appointed to the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

• In May 2004, after the President of the Russian Federation, elected for the next term, took office, he was again appointed to this post. Similarly reappointed in May 2008 after President Dmitry Medvedev took office.

• On May 21, 2012, he once again received the portfolio of minister after President Vladimir Putin took office.

• On May 18, 2018, a new composition of the Russian government was approved, in which Lavrov retained his post.

Chairman of the Russian Commission for UNESCO (since April 2004).

Since January 11, 2010 - member of the Government Commission for Economic Development and Integration

On May 9, 2004, Vladimir Putin signs the Decree on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the UN. The biography of the public minister himself is not so well known. But there is something to talk about here.

Forward and only forward - biography of Sergei Lavrov

Sergei Viktorovich is a second-generation Muscovite. Born on March 21, 1950 in the family of a Tbilisi Armenian. Father and mother served in Vneshtorg. Secondary education was received in the best English special school in the capital No. 607. The future minister was easily given not only the humanities, but the entire subject cycle. The result of innate abilities, thirst for knowledge and hard work was a silver medal after 10 grades.

In 1972, Lavrov graduated from the Oriental Faculty MGIMO Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR. The graduate speaks three languages ​​- English, French and Sinhala. From that time on, his activities in the diplomatic field began. Lavrov goes to Sri Lanka, where he becomes an embassy attaché. After 4 years of successful activity, he received the post of second secretary, then attaché in the Department of International Economic Organizations of the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was followed by a number of significant diplomatic positions. In April 1992, he was already Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. But the real takeoff of his career occurred in 1994. Sergei Lavrov has been sent to work at the United Nations as the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation on the UN Security Council.

Old resident of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the All-Russian Center for Monitoring Public Opinion, Russians consider the diplomat the most influential minister. The foreign press also pays tribute to the politician’s professionalism, comparing him with the legendary Soviet diplomat Andrei Andreevich Gromyko.

A very accurate statement, because Lavrov set a record for the longest tenure in a ministerial post. Since his appointment, Sergei Lavrov has been coordinating the country’s policy in the international arena for 12 years. Over the years, the minister was re-elected 4 times.

• In 2004 (May) after being re-elected as president.
• From September 12 to 23, 2007, Lavrov briefly switched to acting status due to the complete resignation of the cabinet of ministers Mikhail Fradkov. On September 14, Viktor Zubkov was confirmed as prime minister, and on September 24, Sergei Lavrov was reappointed as head of the Foreign Ministry.
• On May 28, 2008, after Dmitry Medvedev was elected president and prime minister.
• The fourth time the ministerial portfolio was received by Sergei Viktorovich on May 21, 2012, after the inauguration of Vladimir Putin.

Awards of Sergei Lavrov

Sergei Lavrov is a full holder of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland. Awarded other orders and insignia of Russia. Also in the track record of the Order of Friendship from Vietnam, Laos, Belarus, is the Medal of Honor “For participation in UN programs.”

The minister is recognized as an Honored Worker of the Diplomatic Service of the Russian Federation, an honorary citizen of Managua, Guatemala and the Noginsk district of the Moscow region.

A talented diplomat is talented in everything

Versatile talent is a distinctive feature of Sergei Lavrov. He plays the guitar well and has a pleasant timbre and good hearing. Since his student days he has been “noticed” in versification. So much so that his words “Learning is so passionate…” formed the basis of the MGIMO anthem.

It is noteworthy that even in a ministerial position, the “creative spirit” does not leave the diplomat. For example, in 2005 he participated in the traditional skit of the ASEAN forum participants. The “high-ranking” troupe of Russians also includes Alexander Ivanov, director of the parliament for pan-Asian problems of the ASEAN countries. Their duet was a resounding success. The audience was presented with a parody of the film “Star Wars” with Lavrov the “Jedi” and a musical composition from the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

The life-giving power of extreme sports

In his free time from government affairs, Lavrov is passionate about rafting - rafting down mountain rivers. Back in 1986, then still a student, Lavrov introduced the tradition of extreme descents along the whirlpools of Siberian rivers, which became traditional at MGIMO.

He achieved serious success in this field as well, becoming president of the Russian Federation of Rowing Slalom. The minister’s “specialty” in hiking is lighting a fire. He can light a fire in heavy rain with just one match. During the year, the work schedule is necessarily interrupted for two weeks. And at this time - no television, radio or newspaper connections with the outside world!

There are still achievements ahead

Since receiving the ministerial portfolio in 2004, Lavrov has chaired the Russian Federation Commission on Affairs UNESCO.

In 2010, he became a member of the government commission on economic development and integration processes. There is no doubt that in a ministerial post a diplomat is capable of accomplishing a lot to raise Russia’s prestige in the international arena.

Sergei Lavrov is a talented politician, diplomat, and for many years the permanent Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Childhood

Born 03/21/1950. A native Muscovite. He has Caucasian roots, his father is Armenian, originally from Georgia. My mother worked for Vneshtorg for a long time.

Sergei Viktorovich received an excellent education. He studied well at school, for the successful completion of which he received a silver medal. The mother did everything to ensure that her son studied at a prestigious school. From early childhood he showed remarkable abilities for learning, especially for learning foreign languages. Excellent studies allowed him to easily pass exams at the prestigious MGIMO to study Oriental Studies.

Carier start

Lavrov took his first position after graduating from MGIMO in early 1972. He went to the island of Sri Lanka and, after completing his internship, was left there to work as an attaché at the Embassy of the Soviet Union. He worked in this capacity for 4 years, and then was again transferred to Moscow.

In Moscow, he began working in the department of international economic organizations. A few years later, Sergei Lavrov moved again, this time to the American continent. He worked for about 10 years in New York, making a successful career at the Permanent Mission of the USSR to the UN. This invaluable experience was very useful to him in his subsequent work.

After another transfer to Moscow, Sergei Lavrov was appointed to work in the Directorate of Economic Organizations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he successfully worked until 1992.

Big politics

After the collapse of the USSR in 1992, Sergei Lavrov was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. In this capacity, he oversaw several very important areas, including international economics, the human rights department, as well as the department for the affairs of the newly created CIS union. Lavrov worked in this difficult position for more than two years.

All this time, he maintained constant contacts with the Russian Mission to the UN and in 1994 was officially appointed to the post of Russia's permanent representative to the UN, where he worked for more than 10 years, also working on peacekeeping projects.

Ministerial portfolio

Sergei Lavrov first received the ministerial portfolio from Putin in 2004, when the president was forming his team. The talented politician coped well with the difficult responsibilities assigned to him. And after Putin was re-elected for a new term, the president again returned the ministerial portfolio to Lavrov, which has remained with him unchanged since then until today.

In addition, Sergei Lavrov is actively involved in peacekeeping, educational and foreign economic activities and holds a number of positions in various international organizations. He edits the prestigious international magazine “USA and Canada: Economics, Politics, Culture,” whose activities are aimed at strengthening Russia’s relations with these states.

Sergei Lavrov is also a member of a number of supervisory and trustee boards, including the board of trustees of MGIMO, his alma mater, which gave him a start in big politics. Since 2004, Lavrov has been the permanent Chairman of the Commission for UNESCO. Supervises many charitable programs. He is a member of the Anti-Terrorism Council of Russia.

Personal qualities

Many people are interested in what kind of person the outwardly stern and rather tough Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia is. Of course, working in such difficult positions could not but leave an imprint on the Minister’s personality.

Strong and principled, he can indeed be quite tough and harsh in situations where it is politically justified. However, as a politician from God, Sergei Lavrov is extremely restrained and correct, which allows him to get out of the most difficult political situations with honor.

All his activities are aimed at the development and prosperity of the Russian state. He does not forget for a second that, first of all, the political and economic interests of Russia and Russians are above all.

However, despite the apparent severity of his disposition, Sergei Lavrov is a positive and sociable person, with a great sense of humor, who is not averse to laughing at a fresh joke, and sometimes even telling a new joke himself.

Like every mortal, Lavrov has his own little weaknesses. One of them was an addiction to cigarettes, which he never managed to get rid of. This habit even almost caused him to be considered a brawler when, after the introduction of a smoking ban in the UN building, Lavrov continued to walk around it with a lit cigarette and an ashtray in his hand, talking about human rights. However, the passions subsided, but the habit, alas, remained.

In the company of family and close friends, Sergei Lavrov often picks up a guitar. In his free moments, he often writes poetry. And he prefers to spend his weekends active. Favorite sports are water sports. He is interested in rafting, and even manages to serve as president of the Russian Rowing Slalom Federation.

After the presidential elections of the Russian Federation in the spring of 2018, where Vladimir Putin won the race for the presidency, the entire government was dismissed.

When the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers was announced in May, Lavrov was again offered the post of head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Lavrov was not against it.

Made many work trips around the world. Skillfully fends off all accusations from the international community towards the Russian Federation regarding such issues as the poisoning of the Skripal family, military conflicts in Syria, in eastern Ukraine, etc.

He made a number of loud statements regarding Russia's exit from the European Union.

From 2004 to this day, Lavrov has been doing an excellent job with his professional duties, so he is once again reassigned to his position.

Wife and daughter of Sergei Lavrov

There is practically nothing to tell about the politician’s personal life. Having married early, in his 3rd year at MGIMO, to Maria Alexandrova, he showed himself to be a monogamous man and a person for whom the value of traditional family relationships is unshakable.

In the photo - Sergei Lavrov with his wife

His wife accompanied Lavrov everywhere, as befits a faithful, loving wife. Their only daughter, Catherine, was born in New York. There she received a prestigious education at Columbia University, then received a master's degree in London. Currently, Sergei Lavrov’s daughter lives with her family in Moscow, she is married and has a son, Leonid.

In the photo - Sergei Lavrov with his daughter

The personal life of one of the most popular Russian ministers, Sergei Lavrov, interests the general public almost more than the life of some superstar. Meanwhile, his family history is simple and understandable in a Soviet way. His marriage is over forty years old. The politician’s wife, Maria Aleksandrovna Lavrova, does not allow interviews and avoids publicity.

Sergei Lavrov's wedding happened when he was in his third year at MGIMO, and Maria was a student at the Pedagogical Institute. In one of her rare interviews, she recalls that Sergei captivated her with his height (185 cm), powerful masculine energy and singing with a guitar. He then masterfully performed the songs “Under Vysotsky,” and the girls were crazy.

After her husband graduated from university, Maria was unable to work in her specialty, and accepted a very difficult and responsible position - “the wife of a diplomat”. The first business trip took place in Sri Lanka, where Maria Alexandrovna had to experience for the first time the complexity of being present at official receptions and receptions.

Knowledge of etiquette, traditions and laws of the country in which the spouse serves, tactfulness, patience and wisdom - these skills and qualities cannot be provided to Lavrov’s wife.

Maria Lavrova still found her philological education useful - during the year of her husband’s permanent mission to the UN, she headed the mission’s library. Besides, she became the creator and leader of the Women's Club.

This organization helped the wives of diplomats adapt to a foreign country upon arrival; Maria introduced the wives of diplomats to New York, to the rules of life and behavior in a foreign and not always friendly territory.

The club was incredibly popular, and many wives of diplomats remember with gratitude the help that Maria Alexandrovna provided them.

Caring for a husband and raising children

During Lavrov's diplomatic service in the United States, daughter Ekaterina was born in New York. She received her education in the USA, graduating from Columbia University, where she studied political science. Ekaterina received her master's degree in England, already in the field of Economics.

Now the daughter of Maria and Sergei Lavrov lives in Russia, and she is much more accessible to the press. Some time ago she was the director of the Christie’s auction house, and then headed the Smart art company.

In connection with her activities, Ekaterina Lavrova is simply forced to give interviews to glossy magazines. Her memories of childhood make the image of Maria Lavrova more vivid, and somewhat remove the veil from her closed life. In particular, Ekaterina admits that The American mentality is alien to her, and she always knew that she would marry a Russian and will connect his life with Russia.

This shows the great influence of Maria Lavrova, who was mainly involved in raising her daughter. Ekaterina gratefully recalls the “struggle for the Russian language” that her mother steadily organized. Much attention was paid to knowledge of the history, culture and rich heritage of the Russian people. Despite the fact that Ektarina spent 17 years in a foreign land, she remained Russian in her soul and heart.

The diplomat's daughter sees her mission in ensuring that Russian contemporary artists find worldwide recognition. Ekaterina Lavrova (married Vinokurova) helps Russian artists meet collectors and gallery owners.

“I hope that in 10–15 years our artists will take pride of place in museum collections, in the collections of large foundations and in the homes of important collectors. This is the main motivation! "

In 21010, Sergei and Maria Lavrov became grandparents - Ekaterina gave birth to their son Leonid.

Press about Lavrov's wife

Little is written about the wife of a colorful minister, and this mainly concerns the activities of her influential husband. In particular, journalists like to count the money of both the politician and his wife. In the anti-corruption declaration for 2105, the property of the minister’s wife is listed as:

• A plot of land for individual residential construction, in shared ownership, with an area of ​​2845 sq. m. m.
• Residential building, jointly owned, with an area of ​​499 sq.m.
• Apartment for free use with an area of ​​247.3 sq. m. m.
• Garage 15.6 sq. m.
• Garage 100 sq. m in joint ownership.
• Lavrov's wife owns a passenger car, a Kia Ceed.

Considering that a plot of land, an apartment and a large garage are also included in Sergei Lavrov’s declaration, we can confidently conclude that shared and joint property was registered together with the spouse.