Who Is Valery Legasov? Age, Biography and Wiki
Valery Alexeyevich Legasov was born on September 1, 1936. Tragically, he passed away on April 27, 1988. Even though Legasov is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. In 2025, he would have been 89 years old. Legasov’s work was instrumental in managing the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, where his contributions to mitigating the crisis were widely recognized. His commitment to public health and safety, coupled with his scientific expertise, has made him a pivotal figure in discussions about nuclear safety and ethics.
| Occupation | Technology |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1936 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Tula, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Russia |
| Date of death | 27 April, 1988 |
| Died Place | Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
Popularity
Valery Legasov's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements for Legasov are not officially recorded, it is generally known that he was of average height and build for men of his era. His physical stature played no role in his scientific achievements. His intellect and resolve were his greatest attributes.
At Vnukovo airport, Legasov met Boris Shcherbina, the head of the government commission dealing with the accident response. When the team reached Pripyat, Legasov was put in charge of containing the radiation.
Viktor Alekseyevich Sidorenko called for immediate evacuation of Pripyat, which Legasov supported, as the situation was expected to deteriorate in the town, and this decision was approved by Shcherbina.
To make direct measurements of the reactor, Legasov was driven in an armored personnel carrier to the site which established the reactor had shut down.
Despite lacking information about the state of the reactor, Legasov proposed and managed the effort to extinguish the reactor fire which would otherwise release a massive amount of radiation, although the team was in continual discussions with other scientists by telephone.
One Kurchatov scientist warned him that the helicopter drops might not be effective but Legasov replied that they had to be seen to do something. Legasov admired the leadership of Shcherbina, particularly his ability to grasp what the specialists were telling him and his decision making.
Nikolay Antoshkin, an air force general involved in the liquidation remembers: "I met Valery Alekseyevich as soon as he arrived. From that moment on, a working friendship, which then grew into a deeper friendship, was formed with him and with other comrades. I liked him from the very beginning. I was filled with trust and respect for him. ...
Valery Alekseyevich himself flew over the reactor by helicopter 5–6 times a day. Scientists, smart, literate, and when it was necessary to go forward, they found themselves without means of protection. ...
He was a man of courage, understanding everything, but at the same time defenseless." At one point, Antoshkin scolded Legasov for taking too many personal risks when he was key to the operation.
On the second or third day, Legasov suggested organizing an information group to collect and disseminate accurate information to the press, but this did not occur, and he later observed that the press often interviewed the most famous person present rather than the most knowledgeable, introducing many inaccuracies and omissions in reporting.
Legasov received many telegrams from around the world containing advice ranging from benevolent to provocative.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Valery Legasov was married to Tamara Legasova, and they had a daughter together. There isn't much publicly documented about his personal relationships beyond his marriage, and no publicly known boyfriends or girlfriends. His family was significant in his life, and he often credited them for their support throughout his career.
Legasov married Margarita Mikhailovna and had two children, Inga Legasova and Aleksey Valeryevich Legasov. He also had two grandchildren, Misha and Valerik. In his personal life, he composed poetry and encouraged its publication.
He often visited the theater with his wife, having a love of reading Russian and foreign literature, particularly the works of Yuri Bondarev. He frequently made excursions with his wife and children by car and saw many parts of the country.
When on trips to other regions, sometimes as part of his scientific duties, he often visited the nearby cultural, artistic and religious sites. Legasov was not religious but very interested in religious history and heritage. Since December 1978, the Legasov family kept a high-bred pet chow-chow.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Valery Legasov’s net worth is not widely disclosed or available due to the era in which he lived and the nature of his work as a state-employed scientist. However, it is understood that his salary was modest compared to contemporary standards for scientists in governmental roles. His primary focus remained on his work rather than financial gain.
Career, Business and Investments
Legasov’s career was dedicated to chemistry and nuclear science. After completing his education, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a deputy director at the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy. His most significant role came during the Chernobyl disaster, where he was responsible for investigating and managing the consequences of the catastrophic nuclear accident. Although he did not engage in traditional business or investments, his work continues to impact nuclear policies and safety standards globally.
From 1984 to 1985, Legasov with other specialists had reviewed the state of chemistry research in the country and found it to be in a critical state. Under his leadership, a series of drastic reforms of the organization and funding of scientific institutions were drafted.
The proposals triggered a significant backlash from the existing scientific leadership. While Legasov attempted to include all the top scientists in the new organization, many objected to Legasov being given a top leadership position, considering him an upstart.
Malicious rumors began to be circulated such as the accusation of being an alcoholic, over-ambitious or to blame for the Chernobyl disaster.
Social Network
Though there were no modern social media channels during his lifetime, Legasov's influence persists on various platforms today. His story, especially portrayed in the acclaimed miniseries "Chernobyl," has sparked significant public interest and awareness regarding nuclear safety and ethics. Online communities and science enthusiasts frequently discuss his legacy, making him a subject of ongoing study and reverence.
Along with colleagues like Viktor Alekseyevich Sidorenko, Legasov became concerned about the quality of equipment, poor construction, the lack of training of operators and the lack of training simulators.
Education
Legasov graduated from the Kazan State University with a degree in chemistry and later earned his doctorate. His rigorous education laid the foundation for a career marked by significant scientific contributions. His educational background in nuclear chemistry was pivotal for his later work at the Chernobyl site, where he utilized his expertise to help manage one of the world's most challenging industrial disasters.
He attended secondary school in Kursk. In 1949–1954, he attended School No. 56 in Moscow and graduated with a gold medal. While he was a shy student, he excelled in both academic work and social activities being elected secretary of his school's Komsomol committee.
During 1953, he proposed several reforms to the Komsomol committee to address what he perceived as indifference and passivity of its members. These ideas were quickly quashed by the authorities. His headmaster observed that Legasov "is a grown up man, a future statesman, a talented organizer.
He can be a philosopher, а historian, an engineer..." The school now bears his name, and his bronze bust stands at the entrance. For two years he worked as a released secretary of the Central Committee of the Komsomol, he was elected to the bureau of the Soviet District Committee of the Komsomol and to the Moscow City Committee of the Komsomol.
In 1961, he graduated from the Faculty of Physicochemical Engineering at the Mendeleev Moscow Institute of Chemistry and Technology, where he learned how nuclear fuel is processed, handled and disposed of.
