Who Is Vladimir Zhirinovsky? Age, Biography and Wiki
Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky was born on April 25, 1946, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A prominent Russian politician, he served as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) until his passing in 2022. His career spanned several decades, during which he was known for his provocative rhetoric and flamboyant style, embodying the complex political landscape of post-Soviet Russia. Zhirinovsky's contributions to Russian politics have continued to be analyzed and discussed, making his biography an essential part of the 2025 conversation about Russian political history.
Occupation | Politician |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 25, 1946 |
Age | 75 Years |
Birth Place | Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Almaty, Kazakhstan) |
Horoscope | Taurus |
Country | Kazakhstan |
Date of death | 6 April, 2022 |
Died Place | Moscow, Russia |
Popularity
Vladimir Zhirinovsky's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Zhirinovsky's body stats in terms of height and weight might not have been widely reported, he was approximately 6 feet tall. His larger-than-life personality was often complemented by his imposing stature, making him a recognizable figure in both Russian and international politics.
The Liberal Democratic Party was a significant force in Russian politics, particularly in the early 1990s. At the height of its success, the LDPR gathered 23% of the vote in the 1993 Duma elections and achieved a broad representation throughout Russia – it gained the most votes in 64 out of 87 regions.
This fact encouraged Zhirinovsky to once again run for president, this time against incumbent Boris Yeltsin.
The fact that Yeltsin's candidacy seemed seriously challenged by Russian nationalist groups and a rejuvenated Communist Party alarmed many outside observers, particularly in the Western world, who expressed concern that such developments posed a serious threat to the survival of Russian democracy, which was already in a very fragile state.
During the 1990s, commentators described Zhirinovsky as fascist, having fascist tendencies, and a neo-fascist.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Vladimir Zhirinovsky was known to have had a tumultuous personal life. He was married to Galina Zhirinovskaya, and they had three children together. Although he held a public persona characterized by his political ambitions and sometimes controversial statements, details about his personal relationships outside of his marriage were not extensively documented. Following his death in 2022, discussions about his family and legacy have brought renewed interest to his personal life and influence on his family members.
His father, Volf Isaakovich Eidelshtein, was a Ukrainian Jew from Kostopil in western Ukraine, and his mother, Alexandra Pavlovna (née Makarova), was an ethnic Russian from Mordovia. Zhirinovsky inherited his surname through Andrei Vasilievich Zhirinovsky, Alexandra's first husband.
His paternal grandfather was a wealthy industrialist in Kostopil, who owned the largest sawmill in present-day Ukraine and was head of the local Jewish community. His grandfather's mill today has an income of $32 million a year, and over the years Zhirinovsky demanded that successive Ukrainian governments return it to him.
Net Worth and Salary
Before his passing, Zhirinovsky's net worth was estimated to be in the millions, attributed to his long-standing political career, business ventures, and investments. While exact figures have remained subject to speculation, his leadership of the LDPR and involvement in Russian politics provided him with substantial financial gain.
Zhirinovsky supported Israel-Russia relations, but said that Israel had to make Russian its official language. He also believed Israel has to pay more attention to the Russian Orthodox Church, and that Russians are endangered in Israel and should come under the protection of the Russian police.
Zhirinovsky led several official Russian delegations to Israel, on behalf of the Russian government. Visiting Israel, he said that he was concerned mainly about the economic situation for the more than one million Russians living in Israel. He also stated that "Russia will never allow any violence against Israel."
Career, Business, and Investments
Throughout his career, Zhirinovsky was a controversial figure known for his nationalistic views and public flamboyance. He founded the LDPR in 1990 and served as a State Duma deputy for multiple terms. His career was marked by numerous presidential candidacies and participation in various political parties, often advocating for a more assertive Russia on the global stage. Beyond politics, Zhirinovsky engaged in business ventures and investments that also contributed to his wealth. His legacy in Russian politics continues to be influential, with various analyses of his policies and public statements assessing their impact on contemporary political discourse.
Along the Russia southern sphere from India to Bosporus, other spheres of influence will stretch from north to south in the forthcoming world order, Latin America would be in the American sphere, Africa in the European sphere. and Japan and China will rule Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Australia.
Everywhere "the direction is the same—north-south." Geopolitically, he saw his position as logical: "Hence, the distribution along such a geopolitical formula would be very beneficent for the whole of humanity, and all over the planet would be established warm and clear political climate."
Social Network
Despite his passing, Zhirinovsky's influence continues to resonate on social media platforms and within political discussions. His official accounts remain active, providing followers with archived content from his prolific career. The ongoing fascination with his life and words fuels discussions on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Telegram, where users analyze and reflect on his political ideologies and the state of Russian politics today.
Zhirinovsky's Israeli relatives included an uncle and cousin, meeting and befriending them for the first time only after discovering more about his family's story in Israel. Zhirinovsky's Israeli family did not know that he was a politician in Russia but responded warmly to his invitation to stay with him in Moscow.
Education
Zhirinovsky's education played a significant role in shaping his political career. He graduated from the Moscow State University of International Relations, where he focused on international law. This academic background equipped him with the knowledge that he would often draw upon in his political rhetoric and strategies. His educational endeavors later informed his views on Russia's position in world affairs and his approach to domestic issues.
In July 1964, Zhirinovsky moved from Almaty to Moscow, where he began his studies in the Department of Turkish Studies, Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University (MSU), from which he graduated in 1969. Additionally, he studied law and international relations at the Institute of Marxism-Leninism.
Zhirinovsky entered military service in Tbilisi during the early 1970s and worked at posts in state committees and unions. He was awarded a Dr.Sci. in philosophy by MSU in 1998.