--- title: "14 Facts about Vladimir Putin" url: https://www.kickassfacts.com/vladimir-putin-facts/ date: 2024-09-03 modified: 2024-09-03 lang: en author: "Editor" description: "Vladimir Putin is undeniably one of the most interesting politicians in the world. Having served as president and prime minister of Russia for more than two decades, Putin is well..." categories: - "General Knowledge" - "People" image: https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vladimir-putin.jpg word_count: 937 --- # 14 Facts about Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin is undeniably one of the most interesting politicians in the world. Having served as president and prime minister of Russia for more than two decades, Putin is well known for growing his country’s economy while suppressing political freedom. He puts on a mean stance and has an undying love for animals. Putin has lived a life of extremes. He grew up in poverty, but he is today one of the wealthiest people in the world. Here are some facts you may not have known about the Russian president. ## 1. Putin Brought a Dog to a Meeting with Merkel to Intimidate Her ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/putin-intimidation.jpg) In 2007, President Putin brought his pet dog to a meeting with the then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel. When the dog approached her, she froze, and it was pretty clear she was frightened, especially considering she feared dogs after she was bitten by one in 1995. This is information that Putin was obviously aware of, and it was seen as an act of intimidation. In an interview with a German newspaper, [Putin declined using his dog to scare the Chancellor](https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/12/europe/putin-merkel-scared-dog/index.html). Angela Merkel had a different opinion. ## 2. Putin is Extremely Good at Judo Vladimir Putin is exceptionally gifted at Judo. There are numerous videos online of Putin practicing with the Russian Judo team. He even has a black belt in the sport and has co-authored a book about this form of martial arts. Unfortunately, in 2022, [the International Judo Federation stripped him of his black bet and titles](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/international-judo-federation-strips-titles-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-invasion/). ## 3. Putin’s Grandfather Cooked for Joseph Stalin Putin’s grandfather, Spiridon Ivanovich Putin, [was the personal chef of both Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin.](https://www.reuters.com/article/world/putin-says-grandfather-cooked-for-stalin-and-lenin-idUSKCN1GN0P6/) This is something Putin himself has admitted in public. ## 4. Putin Stole a Super Bowl Ring from Robert Kraft According to Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, [Putin stole his Super Bowl ring in 2005](https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-putin-stole-super-bowl-ring-robert-kraft-1691395). Kraft and a group of investors had flown to Russia to discuss commercial relations with the US. During the meeting, he removed the ring and gave it to Putin to look at it. Putin then placed the ring in his pocket and walked away. Kraft claims that the White House called him and asked him to say that it was a gift so as not to trigger tension between the US and Russia. ## 5. There is a Mountain in Kyrgyzstan Named after Putin The government of Kyrgyzstan honored President Vladimir Putin by [naming a mountain after him.](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12113463) It has a peak of 4,446m and is located in the Chuy province. Kyrgyzstan also has another mountain named after the founder of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin. ## 6. Putin Grew Up in Abject Poverty There are stories about Putin’s wealth and luxurious lifestyle in the media. Irrespective of how he obtained his wealth, Putin came from nothing. He was born after World War II had thrown the economy in shambles. A grenade had injured his father during the war. His two brothers died during the siege of Leningrad. Putin’s father worked in a factory, and his mother washed test tubes and swept the streets. They lived in a communal home with other families. ## 7. Putin wasn’t a Good Student A Russian-based tabloid got access to Putin’s gradebook when he was studying at the Leningrad School. The document showed that Putin was far from being a good student. He occasionally fought with older students, never did homework, sang, and talked in class. Later on, he became interested in joining the KGB, and that’s how he became an officer of the intelligence security agency for 15 years. On his website, Putin refers to himself as a troublemaker when he was a child. ## 8. Putin is a Huge Fan of the Beatles When a British photographer was sent to [Russia](https://www.kickassfacts.com/russia-facts/) to take a portrait of the president for Times Magazine, he narrates how Putin claimed to be a big Beatles fan. He even went on to mention that Yesterday was his favorite song. The same magazine chose him as Person of the Year in 2007. ## 9. Putin Has Been Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize Twice ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/putin-peace-768x474.jpg) After convincing Assad to surrender Syria’s weapons peacefully, he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. He was nominated for the second time in 2021. ## 10. Putin Has a Firm Stand Against Animal Cruelty Social media is packed with pictures of Putin with a wide range of animals, such as dogs, horses, and tigers. In Russia, [Putin signed a bill that banned all forms of animal cruelty](https://tass.com/society/1038276). ## 11. Putin Once Put Out a Wildfire In 2010, Putin boarded a firefighting plane and co-piloted an aircraft into a wildfire, dropping up to 24 tons of water. There are no known records of Putin having any pilot training. ## 12. Putin is Fluent in German As president of Russia, Putin is familiar with several languages, [including German](https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-s-putin-says-his-young-family-members-speak-fluent-mandarin-chinese/7768814.html). He has also taken lessons in English but refrains from using this language in media interviews. Putin has been quoted encouraging his young family members to learn other languages, such as Mandarin. ## 13. Putin Once Played Hockey and Scored 8 Goals In 2019, Putin joined famous hockey players like Pavel Bure and Slava Fetisov in a post-game victory lap at Sochi’s Bolshoy Ice Dome. [He scored a whopping eight goals](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/10/vladimir-putin-hockey-fall-hockey-exhibition), and his team won 15 to 10. ## 14. Putin Hosts a Call-In on TV Every Year Even though it has been a subject of controversy, the Direct Line with Vladimir Putin is a televised show where people call and ask the president questions on various matters. The Western media has criticized this show claiming that [it is often choreographed](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67718655).