Who Is Alexander Litvinenko? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Alexander Litvinenko was born on August 30, 1962, in the Soviet Union, and he became a British-naturalised citizen after defecting from Russia. He was a former officer of the FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) who gained notoriety for his outspoken criticism of the Russian government. Litvinenko's life took a tragic turn when he was poisoned with polonium-210 in London in November 2006, leading to his death three weeks later. His story has haunted the world, revealing the dark and dangerous intersections of politics and espionage.
| Occupation | Political Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1962 |
| Age | 62 Years |
| Birth Place | Voronezh, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Russia |
Popularity
Alexander Litvinenko's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements are less common for historical figures, we can ascertain that Alexander Litvinenko was of average height with a lean build. It is estimated that he stood at around 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighed approximately 154 pounds (70 kg). His physique was indicative of a man who had spent many years in active service, maintaining fitness and discipline.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status (Boyfriend / Girlfriend / Husband / Wife)
Alexander Litvinenko was married to Marina Litvinenko, with whom he had a son named Anatoly and a daughter named Sonia. His family played a significant role in his life, particularly during his time in the UK. Together, they sought refuge from threats posed by the Russian government and worked diligently to expose the injustices and corruption within the FSB. The bond shared between Alexander and Marina was evident and deeply rooted, especially in their fight for justice after his tragic death.
After Litvinenko's death, his wife Marina, aided by biologist Alexander Goldfarb, pursued a vigorous campaign through the Litvinenko Justice Foundation. In October 2011, she won the right for an inquest into her husband's death to be conducted by a coroner in London; the inquest was repeatedly set back by issues relating to examinable evidence.
A public inquiry began on 27 January 2015, and concluded in January 2016 that Litvinenko's murder was carried out by the two suspects and that they were "probably" acting under the direction of the FSB and with the approval of Putin and then FSB director Nikolai Patrushev.
In the 2021 case Carter v Russia, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia was responsible for his death and ordered the country to pay 100,000 euros in damages.
Net Worth and Salary
While formal financial records of Alexander Litvinenko's earnings remain limited, it’s known that as a defector and an author, he earned income through various channels, including book deals and speaking engagements. Before his death, his estimated net worth was difficult to quantify, as he was often focused on activism and not wealth accumulation. Nevertheless, it is believed that his net worth ranged in the low six figures due to his involvement in highly publicized cases and his international recognition.
During his work in the FSB, Litvinenko discovered numerous connections between top leadership of Russian law enforcement agencies and Russian mafia groups, such as the Solntsevo gang. He wrote a memorandum about this issue for Boris Yeltsin.
Berezovsky arranged a meeting for him with FSB director Mikhail Barsukov and deputy director of Internal affairs Ovchinnikov to discuss the corruption problems; however, this had no effect. Litvinenko gradually realized that the entire system was corrupt from the top to the bottom.
He explained: "If your partner [cheated] you, or a creditor did not pay, or a supplier did not deliver —where did you turn to complain? [...] When force became a commodity, there was always demand for it. "Roofs" (krysha) appeared —people who sheltered and protected your business.
First it was provided by the mob, then by police, and soon even our own guys realized what was what, and then the rivalry began among gangsters, cops, and the Agency for market share. As the police and the FSB became more competitive, they squeezed the gangs out of the market.
However, in many cases competition gave way to cooperation, and the services became gangsters themselves."
Career, Business, and Investments
Litvinenko’s career was deeply intertwined with his convictions. Initially serving in the KGB and later the FSB, he became a whistleblower against corruption in Russian intelligence services. His most notable works included the book “Blowing Up Russia: Terror from Within,” where he alleged state-sponsored terrorism. After defecting to the UK in 2000, Litvinenko continued to engage in activism, becoming a sought-after speaker on matters of political urgency and democracy. His investments were mainly intellectual—investing his time and energy into human rights causes.
In November 1998, Litvinenko and several other FSB officers publicly accused their superiors of ordering the assassination of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky. Litvinenko was arrested the following March on charges of exceeding the authority of his position.
He was acquitted in November 1999 but re-arrested before the charges were again dismissed in 2000. He fled with his family to London and was granted asylum in the United Kingdom, where he worked as a journalist, writer and consultant for the British intelligence services.
Social Network
Although Alexander Litvinenko tragically passed away in 2006, his legacy continues through various social networks and platforms discussing his life and work. His family, especially his widow Marina, is active in advocating for accountability regarding his assassination. Online communities dedicated to discussing political espionage and justice continue to share information about his case, keeping his memory and mission alive.
Two weeks before his poisoning, Alexander Litvinenko accused Vladimir Putin of ordering the assassination of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and stated that a former presidential candidate, Irina Hakamada, warned Politkovskaya about threats to her life coming from the Russian president.
Litvinenko advised Politkovskaya to escape from Russia immediately. Hakamada denied her involvement in passing any specific threats, and said that she warned Politkovskaya only in general terms more than a year earlier.
It remains unclear if Litvinenko referred to an earlier statement made by Boris Berezovsky, who claimed that Boris Nemtsov, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, received word from Hakamada that Putin threatened her and like-minded colleagues in person.
According to Berezovsky, Putin stated that Hakamada and her colleagues "will take in the head immediately, literally, not figuratively" if they "open the mouth" about the Russian apartment bombings.
Education
Litvinenko's education is rooted in his training as a security officer in the Soviet Union. His formal educational background largely revolved around military and intelligence training, which enveloped various aspects of national security and counterintelligence operations. His continuous quest for knowledge, particularly in English and political ethics after moving to the UK, showcased his dedication to understanding the world beyond the confines of his previous life.
In conclusion, Alexander Litvinenko's life may have ended tragically, but his story continues to resonate. As we reflect on his legacy and contributions to society, we remember him as a figure who aimed to enlighten and expose the truth in a world cloaked in shadows.
After he graduated from a Nalchik secondary school in 1980, he was drafted into the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a Private. After a year of service, he matriculated in the Kirov Higher Command School in Vladikavkaz.
In 1981, Litvinenko married Nataliya, an accountant, with whom he had a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Sonia. This marriage ended in divorce in 1994 and in the same year Litvinenko married Marina, a ballroom dancer and fitness instructor, with whom he had a son, Anatoly.
