Svetlana Medvedeva
| Svetlana Medvedeva Светлана Медведева | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Second Lady of Russia | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Lyudmila Putina |
| First Lady of Russia | |
| In office 7 May 2008 – 7 May 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Lyudmila Putina |
| Succeeded by | Lyudmila Putina |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Svetlana Linnik 15 March 1965 Kronstadt, Leningrad, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Spouse(s) | Dmitry Medvedev (m. 1993) |
| Children | Ilya Dmitrevich Medvedev (b. 1995) |
| Alma mater | Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance |
| Profession | Economist |
| Religion | Russian Orthodoxy |
Svetlana Vladimirovna Medvedeva (Russian: Светла́на Влади́мировна Медве́дева, pronounced [svʲɪˈtlanə vlədʲɪˈmʲirəvnə mʲɪˈdvʲedʲɪvə]; née Linnik, Russian: Линник) (born 15 March 1965), is the wife of current Russian Prime minister and former President Dmitry Medvedev.
[edit] Early years
Svetlana Linnik was born into a military family in Kronstadt, a town administered by Leningrad. She was the youngest daughter of her parents.
Svetlana was active in extracurricular activities in school and took active part in school-held KVNs, spectacles, performances and other events. She met her future husband in middle school #305, in Kupchino, near Leningrad.[1]
In 1987, she began study at the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance. In her first year of university, she switched to evening courses and started working full time.[1] The Medvedevs married in 1993, after they had completed their studies. In 1995, she gave birth to their son Ilya and stopped working. In the same year she was baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church.
[edit] Political activity
After the couple moved to Moscow, Medvedeva directed several Russian-Italian initiatives Sister cities Milan – Saint Petersburg and Venice – Saint Petersburg which intended to develop tourism between these cities.[1] In 2006, she initiated the annual Russian art festival in Bari, Italy.[2]
Medvedeva became First Lady when her husband, Dmitry Medvedev, took over as president following his victory in Russian Presidential elections on 7 May 2008. In the same year, she headed the initiative for the institution of Family Day in Russia. She has already caused something of a media frenzy even though she shies away from photographers and rarely gives interviews.[3] Medvedeva currently chairs the management council of multitier program Spiritual and moral culture of younger generation of Russia created with blessing of Alexy II of Moscow.[4] In a recent interview, Svetlana detailed her views on the interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the government of Russia in promoting family policies.[5] She has taken up the pro-life cause in Russia's efforts to restrict abortion in 2011.[6]
In addition to her native language Russian, Medvedeva speaks French.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "МЕДВЕДЕВА Светлана Владимировна". Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ "Biography / Diary". S. Medvedeva. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ Ferris-Rotman, Amie. Enter Russia's new first lady – Svetlana Medvedeva, Reuters, 5 March 2008. Accessed 8 May 2008.
- ^ "Gloria Mundi. Светлана Владимировна Медведева". Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ Goble, Paul. Russia's First Lady Promotes Orthodox Family Values, Georgian Daily, 8 July 2009. Accessed 26 July 2009.
- ^ Russia Enacts Law Opposing Abortion
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