Biography of Valentina Matvienko. Valentina Matvienko: biography, personal life, family, husband, children - photo

A woman politician today can surprise few people, and yet, there are still not many of them, and the brightest ones can be counted on one hand. In the Russian political space, women leaders were distinguished not only by their intelligence, charisma and will, but also by their beauty. One of these unsinkable figures is Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose biography indicates that she is a strong and purposeful person.

The beginning of the journey

The future governor did not start her life so brilliantly. She was born at a time when the country was just beginning to recover from the shocks and trials of the war years, recovering. Mrs. Matvienko was born on April 7, 1949 in the north-west of Ukraine, in a small town called Shepetivka, in the Khmelnitsky region (formerly Kamenets-Podolsk region). Meanwhile, Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose nationality on her father’s side is Ukrainian, spent her childhood in a slightly larger city - Cherkassy, ​​in the central part of the country.

The politician's father, Ivan Tyutin, was, of course, a war veteran and died quite early - Valentina was only eight years old. Mom Irina Tyutina remained a widow with three daughters (Valentina Ivanovna has two older sisters - Lydia and Zinaida). Mom, to some, albeit very distant, degree, was related to the theater - she worked there as a costume designer. But Valentina was not inspired by the theater and was not seduced by bohemian life. She graduated from school with a silver medal and entered a medical school in Cherkassy, ​​from which she graduated with honors.

Study and early career

The future politician did not stop at secondary vocational education and went to Leningrad, where she entered the Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute. In her last year of study, Mrs. Tyutina tied the knot with Vladimir Matvienko.

Based on the results of her studies, she was assigned to graduate school. Here was the decisive moment: Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose biography is full of interesting moments, could easily follow the path of a scientist. However, she was invited to work on the district Komsomol committee. She agreed, deciding that she could return to graduate school after a couple of years.

However, she returned to the student bench many years later, when she entered the Academy of Social Sciences under the CPSU Central Committee, graduating in 1985. But the politician did not stop there either; she took advanced training courses for diplomatic workers at the Diplomatic Academy of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition to Ukrainian, which can hardly be called foreign, Matvienko is fluent in three more languages: Greek, English and German.

In the ranks of the party

Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko began building a career as a politician in her youth, although, of course, it is difficult to imagine that she knew what heights she would grow to. Ms. Matvienko worked in the Komsomol district committee for five years - from 1972 to 1977 - in various positions: from department head to first secretary. She worked in the Leningrad regional committee of the Komsomol, then in the Krasnogvardeisky district committee for almost ten years and rose from secretary to first secretary. Then Ms. Matvienko moved to the executive committee of the Leningrad City Council of People's Deputies, where she took the position of deputy chairman.

Before the collapse Soviet Union She managed to work as a people's deputy, in the Supreme Council she headed the Committee on Women's Affairs, Motherhood and Childhood, and Family Protection. Later she was elected to the membership of the Presidium of the Supreme Council.

Career in Russia

Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose biography demonstrates this, led her career without sharp turns. She met the collapse of the Soviet Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For four years she worked as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, first of the USSR, then of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Malta. In 1994-1995 worked as Ambassador of the Russian Foreign Ministry on special assignments. In the next two years, she headed the department in the department responsible for relations with regions and government structures, and was elected to the board of the ministry. She was ambassador to Greece for another year.

In 1998, Matvienko joined the Government as deputy chairman, where she worked for five years. In 2003, she became the governor of St. Petersburg, serving in this position until 2011. She joined the ranks of United Russia in 2009.

From the governor's chair, Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose biography is outlined in this article, was promoted to the Federation Council. The head of Bashkiria, Rustem Khamitov, came up with the idea of ​​recommending Ms. Matvienko for the post of head of the upper house of parliament. President Dmitry Medvedev supported this idea. Valentina Matvienko became the first woman in Russian history to hold this post.

In 2012, parliament unanimously approved the so-called “anti-orphan” law. The document, which categorically vetoes the adoption by Americans of orphans from Russia, including disabled people, became a kind of response to the flaring up diplomatic war between the two powers.

Ukrainian crisis and sanctions

Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose photo shows a strong and strong-willed woman, took the most active position on the issue of Crimea and its annexation to Russia. Considering her one of the main politicians responsible for violating the sovereignty of Crimea, the United States, the European Union, Australia and Switzerland imposed sanctions against Matvienko.

Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, whose nationality in no way determines her attitude to the current tense situation between Ukraine and Russia, spoke quite definitely on this matter. She supported the claim that Ukraine was forced into associative relations with the European Union at the cost of a military coup. She actively advocates for an end to the bloodshed in the southeast, while at the same time noting that one should not expect that the agreements reached in Minsk at the end of 2014 to resolve the conflict would be implemented “simply and quickly.”

Personal life

It is known that the husband of the Speaker of the Federation Council is chained to wheelchair and is located in a country house in the Leningrad region. Their son Sergei is 42 years old; he received a place in the top management of Bank St. Petersburg during his mother’s governorship. He also held and continues to hold positions of top managers at Vneshtorgbank and VTB Capital. He is also considered the owner of Imperia CJSC, which includes 28 companies involved in development, transportation, cleaning, and media activities. It is believed that it was during the period of Mrs. Matvienko’s leadership of the northern capital that her son became a dollar millionaire.

She has been repeatedly recognized by Russian media as the most influential woman in Russia. For some time now, persistent rumors have been spreading (although Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko plastic surgery, like most public women, does not admit) that she frequented cosmetologists and plastic surgeons. Matvienko claims that with his good appearance obliged only to active sports. However, experienced doctors say the opposite. They note that plastic surgery was done, which is noticeable by the tension of the tissues and the good condition of the eyelids. So, no matter what Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko claims, she has had plastic surgery and, in addition, regularly uses the services of cosmetologists.

Matvienko Valentina Ivanovna is a well-known figure in the world of politics, taking an active part in the political and diplomatic activities of Russia. Since 2011, she has served as Chairman of the Federation Council and is a member of the Bureau of the Supreme Council of the United Russia party.

Before the Federation Council, she held the position of governor and chairman of the government of St. Petersburg and is currently a representative of the executive authorities of this city in the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly Russian Federation. The speaker of the upper house of parliament is the most influential woman in Russia, whose opinion is listened to by the main figures in the country's political arena.

Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko (nee Tyutina) was born on April 7, 1949 in the Ukrainian village of Shepetovka, Khmelnytsky region, in the family of front-line soldier Ivan and costume designer Irina. Rumors claim that Valentina’s nationality is half Ukrainian – on her father’s side. Soon the family moved to Cherkassy, ​​where the chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation spent her entire childhood.

The father of the future governor of St. Petersburg died when Valya was not yet seven years old, leaving her mother alone without support in her arms with three daughters, among whom Valentina was the youngest. In connection with the tragedy, the Matvienko family began to experience serious financial difficulties, which became a key factor in choosing future profession.

Valentina Matvienko in school age

After graduating high school with a silver medal, Valentina, without hesitation, entered medical school in order to quickly get a profession and start earning money on her own and helping her mother. Having received a diploma with honors from the Cherkassy Medical School as a paramedic, the future diplomat decided not to interrupt her studies and moved to Leningrad to enter the Leningrad Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute, after which she was assigned to graduate school.

However, it was at the university that Valentina Matvienko’s biography radically changed direction, as the girl began to engage in social work and realized that medicine was not her calling. She decided to get an education in a new field and entered the Academy of Social Sciences under the CPSU Central Committee, after which she supplemented her knowledge with advanced training courses for senior diplomatic officials at the Diplomatic Academy of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During this time, the Russian statesman went through a thorny path from an ordinary member of the Communist Party to the secretary of the Leningrad Regional Committee of the Komsomol. At this stage, the rapid and successful political career Matvienko, who, thanks to her perseverance and desire, reached significant heights in the Russian political arena.

Even in his youth, at the beginning of his political career, Matvienko received a rather strange nickname “Valka-glass”. Evil tongues claimed that all decisions at Komsomol congresses were accompanied by drinking, and sometimes even political meetings turned into drinking. To a young politician, especially as a woman, it was undignified to break away from the team, therefore, according to rumors, Valentina drank vodka with her colleagues, and sometimes she even put a glass on the table and offered to drink after the meeting.

Young Valentina Matvienko (center)

Be that as it may, Valentina Ivanovna’s career confidently took off. She now speaks about the origin of her nickname with a bit of irony, declaring that she doesn’t remember a glass, but there was half a glass, and wonders if there was anyone at that time who didn’t have one.

Policy

In 1986, Valentina Matvienko entered the world of big politics and took the position of deputy chairman of the executive committee of the Leningrad City Council of People's Deputies. She oversaw issues of culture and education in Leningrad, and a few years later she became a people's deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and took the post of chairman of the Supreme Council Committee for the Protection of Family, Children and Women. In this field, the woman and politician in one person achieved great success, which allowed her to become the plenipotentiary ambassador of the USSR, and after the collapse of the Union and the Russian Federation in the Republic of Malta.

Valentina Matvienko (right) as Ambassador of the USSR

Three years later, Valentina Ivanovna returned to Russia and headed the department for relations with the regions of the Russian Federation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 1998, with the coming to power of the former Prime Minister of Russia, Valentin Matvienko received the position of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, which she retained for 5 years. She consistently oversaw the country's social policy, despite four changes in leadership. Matvienko was able to retain her position under Primakov, and under.

In 2003, Matvienko received an offer to return to the Northwestern Federal District and literally a few months later she was able to become the governor of her beloved city of St. Petersburg. In the same year, Valentina Ivanovna was introduced to the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Governorate

Having won the gubernatorial elections in 2003, Valentina Ivanovna actively took up the restoration of the city after the crisis of the late 90s. According to her, she literally “pulled” St. Petersburg out of the end of the 20th century by force. However, her opponents call all of Matvienko’s achievements during her governorship and the innovations of the new mayor “outrageous.”

The appearance of St. Petersburg under Matvienko changed significantly - many old buildings were demolished, in the place of which new buildings and shopping and entertainment centers “grew”, and significant restructuring of transport interchanges took place. For such active construction, Governor Matvienko was subjected to a barrage of criticism for the demolition of historical buildings in favor of the development of modern construction.

The governor also suffered the communal collapse of 2010-2011, when very unfavorable weather conditions developed in St. Petersburg. Then Valentina Ivanovna called for the involvement of students and homeless people to clear the snow. Poor cleaning of the city was also attributed to the “sins” of the mayor - Matvienko was criticized by many famous personalities.

In 2006, Valentina Matvienko submitted her resignation, but Russian leader Vladimir Putin rejected it and reappointed her as governor of St. Petersburg for a second term. In June 2011, the head of Bashkortostan R.Z. Khamitov proposed Matvienko’s candidacy for the post of chairman of the Federation Council. The then-current President of the Russian Federation supported the candidacy of Valentina Ivanovna, in connection with which she submitted an application for early resignation as governor of her own free will, which was approved.

The early vacated post of governor of St. Petersburg after Matvienko’s resignation was taken by Georgy Poltavchenko, who, after taking office, appointed her as the representative of St. Petersburg in the Federation Council of Russia. Literally two weeks later, Valentina Ivanovna was unanimously elected to the post of Chairman of the Federation Council, gaining 140 votes from senators, of which only one abstained.

Valentina Matvienko became the first woman in Russian history to become speaker of the upper house of parliament. The day after the elections, Valentina Ivanovna became a permanent member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and a year later, due to changed Russian legislation, she automatically became a member of the State Council of the Russian Federation.

Personal life

Valentina Matvienko's personal life is as stable as her political career. As a fifth-year student at LHFI, Valentina Ivanovna married her fellow student Vladimir Matvienko, with whom she lived in a happy marriage until last days spouse's life.

Matvienko’s husband taught at the Military Medical Academy until 2000, and after retiring, he began independently building a dacha near St. Petersburg. Recently, Vladimir Matvienko was confined to a wheelchair and did not leave the Leningrad region, living in a built mansion near the Gromov railway station.

In 1973, a son, Sergei, was born into the Matvienko family. The parents gave their only son a good education; he has two diplomas in economics. The son of Valentina Matvienko, after graduating from prestigious universities, was vice president of the St. Petersburg Bank and the largest Vneshtorgbank for 7 years. Sergey Matvienko is the owner of the Empire company, which has 28 subsidiaries and is engaged in development, transportation, cleaning and the media market.

Since 2003, Matvienko’s son has been repeatedly accused of various illegal activities, but such data have not had official confirmation.

In 2004, Sergei married a girl whom the whole country later recognized as a popular singer. The marriage turned out to be passionate, but short-lived. As the spouses themselves stated, they simply did not get along in character - in 2006, the young people separated.

In 2008, Sergei married for the second time to a simple St. Petersburg student. A year later, son Sergei and his wife Yulia Zaitseva made Valentina Matvienko a happy grandmother, giving her the long-awaited granddaughter Arina.

In her free time from government work, Valentina Matvienko likes to do housework and enjoys cooking and painting. The most influential woman in Russia, despite her age (she turned 70 in 2019), is in impeccable physical fitness visiting the swimming pool and gym.

On August 30, 2018, a tragedy occurred in the family - the husband of Valentina Matvienko. IN recent years Throughout his life, Vladimir was seriously ill and was confined to a wheelchair. Matvienko’s husband was a retired medical service colonel. The couple had been married for 45 years.

Valentina Matvienko now

According to Russian media surveys, the statuesque (woman's height is 170 cm) Valentina Matvienko is the most influential woman in Russia, having established connections with the country's main people - Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. This is not denied in the Kremlin either - Valentina Ivanovna is considered an influential person whose opinion everyone listens to.

Against the backdrop of the current situation in Ukraine, Valentina Matvienko, like many other political figures, came under sanctions against Russia. She was one of the first in the ranks of active participants in the events during the beginning of the Russian campaign in Crimea: one of the number of politicians who convened an emergency meeting of the Federation Council and gave the Russian leader the right to send troops into Ukrainian territory.

Anti-Russian sanctions prohibit Matvienko from entering the EU and provide for the seizure of her assets and property in the United States. In America, the Speaker of the Federation Council is considered the main Russian figure responsible for violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

At the beginning of 2016, Valentina Matvienko introduced a bill “On Collectors” to the State Duma. The new law is designed to limit the actions of debt collectors against individuals, prohibiting the use of physical violence against debtors. In this way, the authorities hope to overcome the ever-increasing lawlessness on the part of collectors and the banks that hire them. Initially, the law was supposed to completely ban collection activities, but politicians were stopped by the fact that a ban on legally collecting debts would lead to criminal groups doing it. But even in its softened form, the bill caused many criticisms from experts.

In March 2016, the speaker of the Federation Council commented on the 40% increase in salaries of officials. Valentina Matvienko spoke quite categorically about increasing salaries for officials, citing the fact that high wages make it possible to recruit really good specialists into this field and avoid staff turnover. According to Matvienko, reducing the salaries of officials will only cost the country more. The speaker's words caused a wide resonance among the public, which rather negatively perceived the idea of ​​​​increasing the salaries of officials.

In 2017, the politician held a meeting with workers social sphere village, where she talked with teachers and the press about teachers’ salaries. Valentina Matvienko expressed particular concern about teachers' salaries in the Ivanovo region, after she learned first-hand that teachers' salaries had dropped to 7 thousand rubles. Matvienko instructed the Minister of Education to figure out the reason why teachers receive so little. Not only do such low salaries contradict the “May” decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, they also do not correspond to Rosstat data.

On March 29, 2019, President Vladmir Putin awarded Valentina Matvienko the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called “for her outstanding contribution to the development and creation of new special equipment, as well as for strengthening the country’s defense capability.”

The diplomat and public figure was born in the Ukrainian city of Shepetivka in 1949. Valentina's father was a military man; he died when the girl was 6 years old. My mother earned money by selecting wardrobes in the theater. After her father's death, Valentina's mother raised her three daughters herself. At that moment, Valentina Matvienko’s family was experiencing great difficulties, especially financially. The girl received a secondary education and entered medical school, trying to master her profession as quickly as possible and start earning money on her own. After graduating from college, Matvienko entered the medical institute in Leningrad. Then, as a student, she began to actively participate in the social activities of the institute. Realizing that medicine was not her calling, she decided to study at the Academy of Social Sciences under the CPSU Central Committee. Next, he takes courses for diplomatic workers.

Before Valentina Matvienko reached the heights, she worked hard and achieved everything herself.

Biography of Valentina Matvienko and personal life

In the mid-80s, Matvienko slowly but surely began to penetrate into political life. Having received the position of deputy chairman of the executive committee of the City Council of People's Deputies of Leningrad, she was involved in culture and education in Leningrad. Then, she climbed higher and higher up the career ladder.

12 years later, Valentina Matvienko is Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. She worked in this position for 5 years. Despite regularly changing officials, she managed to retain her post and continue working.

Further, Matvienko holds the post of governor of the city of St. Petersburg. After the crisis of the 90s, Valentina wanted to restore the city. To do this, by her order, several old buildings were demolished, and in their place beautiful shopping centers and other objects grew, to which the public reacted very violently. Valentina Matvienko was accused of destroying the architectural value of the city. Also, during bad weather conditions, Governor Matvienko called on everyone, including students, to clear snow. Which also caused a storm of indignation.

Three years later, Valentina Matvienko could not stand it and wanted to resign, but then her application was not accepted, so she remained in her previous position for a second term. In 2011, Valentina Matvienko took the post of Chairman of the Federation Council.

After receiving this position, she becomes a permanent member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Valentina Matvienko is the first woman in Russia to occupy the post of Speaker of the Supreme House of Parliament.

Matvienko is persona non grata in the European Union and the States, due to the political ups and downs in Ukraine in 2014. This happened because she took an active part in the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Federation.

The biography of Valentina Matvienko and her personal life is interesting to many. Everyone is interested in how and how the leading lady of the Russian Federation lives. She arranged her personal life during her student years. The chosen one was Vladimir Matvienko. He taught at the Military Medical Academy. Having become a pensioner, the man built a dacha near St. Petersburg. Unfortunately, he became disabled and today he cannot move independently.

Who is Valentina Matvienko’s husband: who was he and how old is he?

Valentina decided to tie the knot with Vladimir Matvienko in her 5th year of study. Vladimir graduated from the Leningrad Military Medical Academy. He taught lectures and even rose to the rank of colonel. After the 2000s, my husband retired and built a dacha near St. Petersburg. Because of her work, Valentina Matvienko often had to be anywhere but home. It was a difficult but testing period for the couple, which they passed quite successfully. Despite everything, the couple are happily married to this day. Now Matvienko’s husband is 66 years old.

Son of Valentina Matvienko

In 1973, the Matvienko couple had a boy, who was named Sergei. One child in the family received everything he needed. The parents tried to ensure that the young man had a good education. Today, Sergei Matvienko has several degrees in economics. Then, the young man entered the field of entrepreneurship, having at his disposal a fairly profitable business. Evil tongues accuse him of stealing state property, which he succeeds with the participation of his influential mother. But, apart from words, there is no evidence to confirm this.

Valentina Matvienko's son married Yulia Zaitseva. In 2010, the young couple gave Valentina Matvienko a granddaughter, who was named Arina.

Despite her heavy workload and all the responsibility that Valentina Matvienko bears every day, she finds time for both her family and her hobbies. A woman carefully monitors her health and beauty. To always stay in shape, she often visits both the pool and gyms. Valentina Matvienko is also attracted to cooking, painting and housekeeping.

Thanks to her hard work, skills and perseverance, Valentina Matvienko is today considered the most influential representative of the fairer sex in the Russian Federation. She always communicates and cooperates with the country's top officials. But at the same time, he does not forget to take care of his family. After all, a career is an important matter, but what awaits each of us at home is not it, but loving and close people who always give strength for difficult work days.

Name: Valentina Matvienko

Date of birth: 07.04.1949

Age: 70 years old

Place of birth: Shepetivka city, Ukraine

Weight: 65 kg

Height: 1.70 m

Activity: politician, statesman

Marital status: Married

Valentina Matvienko is the most prominent female politician in Russia. She is known both in our country and abroad. Her decisions and views on situations changed the political structure of the country. The biography of Valentina Matvienko, like her personal life, is of interest to many of our citizens.

Biography

Lyudmila was born in the Ukrainian SSR, in the spring of 1949.

The father went through the entire war and died when his youngest daughter was in second grade. The mother of now famous political figure Valentina Matvienko worked as a costume designer at a local theater.

In addition to Valya, two eldest daughters grew up in the Tyutin family - Lydia and Zinaida. The girl spent the first years of her life in the small Ukrainian town of Shepetivka; later the family moved to Cherkassy. After the death of her father, her mother had a hard time supporting and raising three daughters on her own.

Valentina Matvienko in childhood

Valya was good at all school subjects, especially in mathematics and a foreign language. The girl graduated from school well, her certificate showed only A's and one B'. After school, Valentina entered medical school, and a year later she graduated with honors.

In one of the interviews about her biography and personal life, Valentina Matvienko said that in her youth she dreamed of being involved in scientific activities.

Soon the girl decided to enter the Leningrad Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute. In parallel with her studies at the university, Tyutina took her first steps in politics. At first it was public work, then joining the Komsomol ranks. In 1972, the girl graduated from college and realized that she did not want to work by profession as a pharmacist. In her younger years, Valentina differed from her peers in her strong-willed character and determination.

Valentina Matvienko in her youth

To succeed in a new field of activity, it was necessary to study again. The Academy of Social Sciences under the Central Committee of the CPSU was graduated by Valentina in 1985. Next, the girl received a referral to study at the Academy of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The course provided for the improvement of senior diplomatic personnel.

It should be noted that Valentina Ivanovna speaks excellent Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, German and English.

Marriage

The young man studied at the same course as Valya. After receiving his diploma, Vladimir Matvienko began working as a teacher at the Military Medical Academy. In 1973, the young people had a baby, the boy was named Sergei.

The Matvienko family is exemplary for many of Valentina’s colleagues and friends. All family members take care of each other, and in difficult situations demonstrate cohesion and fortitude.

Valentina is happily married

Journalists from tabloid publications have repeatedly spread rumors about Valentina Matvienko’s novels, but this information has not been confirmed.

Spouse

Since 2000, husband and father Vladimir Vasilyevich retired. But the man was not used to sitting idle, so at the family council it was decided to start building a country house. The Matvienko family nest was built near St. Petersburg. Vladimir watched the progress of the work, now this is a favorite place for the whole family. Unfortunately, as a result of the illness, Valentina Matvienko’s husband became disabled. Today he still lives in suburban housing, where all necessary conditions, for mobility in a wheelchair.

Valentina Matvienko with her husband

There is always someone nearby with Vladimir Vasilyevich. Special personnel are invited to help so as not to leave the head of the family alone. Very often close people pay attention to their husband, father and grandfather; they try to support Vladimir Vasilyevich. On the pages of Internet resources, in addition to the biography and facts of the personal life of politician Valentina Matvienko, you can see old and new photos. Despite the difficult condition of her husband, the marriage of Valentina and Vladimir can be called long and happy.

Valentina Matvienko today

Thanks to perseverance and daily work, Valentina Matvienko is today considered one of the most influential political figures. The woman was awarded several government awards, including orders for services to the fatherland and medals. One of her areas of work is diplomatic activity. Valentina Ivanovna is always in sight, her daily circle of contacts are the top officials of our country.

Valentina with her son Sergei

Despite all the responsibility and busyness, she tries to devote time to her family. Valentina monitors her health; swimming and training in the gym help her stay in excellent shape. Matvienko is a good cook, handles housekeeping, and is interested in art.

From the biography and personal life of Valentina Matvienko, we know that she has a son, but as the woman said, she always wanted many children. Unfortunately, this did not come true, but Valentina Vasilievna gives her love and maternal feelings to her nephews. She takes part in their lives and does not forget to give gifts for the main holidays. It is also known that Valentina Matvienko took custody of one of the orphanages in St. Petersburg; she often visits the children, provides them with all possible assistance, and attracts sponsors and charitable organizations.

Famous politician V. Matvienko

Criticism

During the years of governing St. Petersburg, Valentina Ivanovna actively restored the city, but, despite the positive side of the event, her actions were often criticized. During her term as governor, the neighborhoods of St. Petersburg changed greatly. Ancient houses were dismantled, and shopping and entertainment complexes were built in their place.

Valentina Matvienko and Vladimir Putin

Valentina Matvienko is a politician, diplomat and one of the most influential women in Russia, whose opinion is listened to by top officials of the state.

Valentina Matvienko's childhood

Valentina Matvienko (nee Tyutina) was born in the small Ukrainian town of Shepetivka, but soon moved with her family to Cherkasy. Ivan Tyutin, Valentina’s father, went through the war and died when the girl was in second grade. Mother Irina worked as a costume designer in the theater. On a very modest salary, she alone had to raise Valentina and her two older sisters.

Studying was easy for Valentina - in 1966 she graduated from school with a silver medal, and a year later she received a red diploma from the Cherkassy Medical School. This opened the door for her to one of the prestigious Leningrad universities - the Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute, from which she graduated in 1972, receiving a postgraduate placement.

The beginning of Valentina Matvienko's career

In parallel with her studies at the institute, Valentina Matvienko began to engage in social work, going from an ordinary Komsomol member to the first secretary of the Leningrad Regional Committee of the Komsomol.

Realizing that pharmaceuticals was not her calling, Valentina decided to get an education in a new field for her. In 1985, Valentina became a graduate of the Academy of Social Sciences under the Central Committee of the CPSU, after which she completed advanced training courses for senior diplomatic officials at the Academy of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is worth noting that Matvienko speaks Ukrainian, English, German and Greek.

The year 1986 became significant in its own way for Valentina Matvienko - she entered the world of big politics, taking the position of deputy chairman of the executive committee of the city Council of People's Deputies of Leningrad. Her responsibilities included overseeing cultural and educational issues.

Three years later, in 1989, Valentina Ivanovna became a people's deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, heading the committee for the protection of families, children and women. Her outstanding business qualities and organizational skills helped her achieve great success and receive a new assignment.

Valentina Matvienko's work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In 1991, Valentina Matvienko was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USSR (and then the Russian Federation) to Malta. Since 1994, she held the position of Ambassador at Large for the Russian Foreign Ministry for two years.

From 1995 to 1997, Matvienko was director of the Department for Relations with Subjects, Parliament and Organizations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a member of the board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After Matvienko, she held the position of Russian Ambassador to the Greek Republic for a year.

In the fall of 1998, with Yevgeny Primakov coming to power, Valentina Matvienko became Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. She worked in this position until March 2003, overseeing social policy under Stepashin, Putin and Kasyanov. Then for several months she was the plenipotentiary representative of the Russian President in the Northwestern Federal District, after which she became a member of the country's Security Council.

Governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko

On September 21, 2003, early elections for the post of governor of the city were held in St. Petersburg. This happened in connection with the transfer of Vladimir Yakovlev to the post of Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government. In the first round of the elections, Valentina Matvienko, who received 48.73% of the votes, advanced to the second round, where she took a leading position and became the governor of St. Petersburg.

Exclusive interview with Valentina Matvienko

On December 6, 2006, Valentina Matvienko sent Vladimir Putin an application for early resignation as the head of the city, but was reappointed to the position.

In November 2009, the politician became a member of the United Russia party. As Valentina Matvienko noted in her final speech as governor of St. Petersburg, she considers her main achievement to be the return of capital functions to the city on the Neva. With the move of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation from Moscow, St. Petersburg became the second capital of our country.

Resignation of Valentina Matvienko

In the summer of 2011, the head of Bashkortostan, Khamitov Rustem, proposed appointing Valentina Matvienko to the position of Chairman of the Federation Council. This candidacy was also supported by President Dmitry Medvedev. Since only deputies could apply for a high post, at the end of July 2011, Valentina Ivanovna applied to participate in the pre-elections to the municipalities “Krasnenkaya Rechka” in the Moscow Region and “Petrovsky” in St. Petersburg. She received 97.29% and 95.61% of the votes respectively. The high results and the overall organization of the elections drew criticism from the opposition.

Spravorossy stated that they did not recognize the elections as legitimate, and Boris Nemtsov, leader of the PARNAS party, called Matvienko "a disgrace for the city and the country." Communist Gennady Zyuganov compared these elections and their results with elections in the North Caucasus republics, where candidates receive 90-100% of the votes. The politician herself stated that “there have never been more transparent elections in St. Petersburg in history.”

On August 22 of the same year, Valentina Matvienko sent her resignation to the head of state in connection with her election as a deputy of the Krasnenkaya Rechka municipality. She was relieved of her post as governor of St. Petersburg.

On August 31, 2011, the head of St. Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko signed a resolution appointing Valentina Matvienko as a member of the Federation Council, a representative of the Federation Council from the government of St. Petersburg.

Less than a month later, the politician was elected Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia. Then Valentina Ivanovna received 140 votes from senators, one abstained from voting, which was uncontested. As a result, Matvienko became the first woman in Russia to head the upper house of parliament. At the same time, the ex-governor of St. Petersburg became a permanent member of the Russian Security Council.

In 1973, a son, Sergei, was born into the Matvienko family. In 2004, he took a senior position in one of the large Russian banks and married singer Zara, but the marriage turned out to be fragile. After 2 years, the couple separated. Now Sergei is married again, and Valentina Matvienko’s granddaughter Arina is growing up.

Valentina Matvienko now

Valentina Ivanovna takes an active part in the political and diplomatic activities of Russia. Interested in art free time enjoys cooking, goes to the swimming pool and gym.

Interview with Valentina Matvienko to Russia Today TV channel