Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin Biography

Born in Butka, Sverdlovsk Oblast, into a family with roots in the Ural region.

Moves with his family to Berezniki in the Perm region after his father's release from imprisonment.

Begins studying industrial and civil construction at the Ural Polytechnic Institute.

Begins professional work with the Uraltyazhtrubstroy construction trust after graduating as an engineer.

Chooses to work through several manual construction trades before taking a supervisory engineering post.

Graduates from the Ural Polytechnic Institute with a degree in industrial and civil construction.

Marries Naina Iosifovna Girina, whom he met while studying at the Ural Polytechnic Institute.

Begins a sequence of supervisory construction posts with the Yuzhgorstroy trust.

Advances through senior foreman and engineering roles in the Sverdlovsk construction sector.

Joins the Communist Party of the Soviet Union while working in the Sverdlovsk construction sector.

Becomes chief engineer of a major house-building combine in the Sverdlovsk region.

Becomes director of the house-building combine after serving as its chief engineer.

Becomes head of the construction department of the Sverdlovsk regional Communist Party committee.

Expands his role in regional construction policy after moving from industry into full-time Communist Party administration.

Is elected a secretary of the Sverdlovsk regional Communist Party committee.

Oversees major housing, road and industrial construction projects while leading the Sverdlovsk regional party organization.

Becomes First Secretary of the Sverdlovsk regional Communist Party committee.

Carries out the central authorities' order to demolish the Ipatiev House, where the Romanov family was killed in 1918.

Promotes large housing projects intended to replace poor-quality barracks and communal accommodation in the region.

Is elected to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union while leading the Sverdlovsk region.

Supports major road-building projects linking Sverdlovsk with northern industrial districts.

Is elected to the Communist Party Central Committee at the Twenty-Sixth Party Congress.

Addresses the Twenty-Sixth Communist Party Congress before joining the party's Central Committee.

Continues service in the USSR Supreme Soviet while remaining Sverdlovsk regional party leader.

Becomes First Secretary of the Moscow City Communist Party Committee in December.

Moves from Sverdlovsk to Moscow to head the Communist Party Central Committee construction department.

Becomes a Central Committee secretary responsible for construction policy.

Takes control of the Moscow City Communist Party Committee and begins a highly visible campaign against bureaucratic privilege.

Makes unannounced visits to shops, transport facilities and public services as part of his campaign against poor administration.

Uses the Twenty-Seventh Party Congress to criticize administrative inertia and call for faster reform.

Becomes a candidate, non-voting member of the CPSU Politburo.

Writes to Mikhail Gorbachev asking to be released from candidate membership of the Politburo and criticizing conservative resistance to reform.

Criticizes party conservatism and the emerging personality cult around Mikhail Gorbachev at a Central Committee plenum.

After his removal as Moscow party chief, becomes First Deputy Chairman of the USSR State Construction Committee.

Is removed as First Secretary of the Moscow City Communist Party Committee after criticizing the pace of reform.

Is removed from candidate membership of the CPSU Politburo.

Appeals publicly for political rehabilitation at the Nineteenth Party Conference but receives little support from the party leadership.

Wins more than ninety percent of the vote in his Moscow district during elections to the Congress of People's Deputies.

Wins election as a USSR People's Deputy in Moscow with overwhelming support.

Enters the USSR Supreme Soviet and uses the legislature as a platform for opposition politics.

Takes a seat in the USSR Supreme Soviet after a deputy yields a place to him.

Becomes a co-chair of the Interregional Deputies Group, the first organized parliamentary opposition in the late Soviet period.

Becomes a leading figure in the opposition Interregional Deputies Group in the Congress of People's Deputies.

Publishes an autobiographical account of his break with the Soviet party establishment and rise as a reform politician.

Serves on the constitutional commission created by the Russian Congress of People's Deputies.

Wins election to the Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian SFSR.

Is elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR on the third ballot.

Assumes leadership of the Russian Supreme Soviet after a closely contested parliamentary ballot.

Leads the Russian Congress as it adopts the Declaration of State Sovereignty, asserting the supremacy of Russian law.

Places the Declaration of State Sovereignty before the Russian Congress, which adopts it by an overwhelming majority.

Walks out of the Twenty-Eighth CPSU Congress after announcing his resignation from the Communist Party.

Announces his resignation from the Communist Party at the Twenty-Eighth Party Congress.

Campaigns for the newly created Russian presidency in the first direct election for the office.

Tens of thousands demonstrate in Moscow in support of Yeltsin despite restrictions on public rallies.

Wins Russia's first direct presidential election with about fifty-seven percent of the vote.

Meets President George H. W. Bush at the White House after his election as Russian president.

Begins exercising the new executive powers of the Russian presidency after taking the oath of office.

Takes the presidential oath as the first elected president of the Russian Federation.

Signs a decree prohibiting political party organizations from operating inside Russian state institutions and enterprises.

Declares the emergency committee unconstitutional and calls for a general strike and civil resistance.

Emerges as the principal public leader of resistance to the State Committee for the State of Emergency.

Uses the Russian White House as the political headquarters for organized resistance to the emergency committee.

Addresses crowds from an armoured vehicle outside the Russian White House during resistance to the August coup.

The hard-line coup collapses as military support shifts and resistance centered on the Russian White House succeeds.

Moves to bring key Soviet-era institutions and property inside Russia under Russian state control after the coup fails.

Appoints Yegor Gaidar first deputy prime minister with responsibility for designing rapid market reforms.

Signs a decree ending CPSU and Russian Communist Party organizational activity in Russia.

Assumes leadership of the Russian government while launching the first post-Soviet market reform programme.

Signs a package of presidential decrees and government orders intended to move Russia toward a market economy.

Russia agrees to provide emergency financial support to the Soviet central government during its final budget crisis.

Approves the decree that will free most retail prices from state control in January 1992.

Signs the Belovezha Agreement with the leaders of Ukraine and Belarus, declaring the Soviet Union ended and creating the CIS.

The Russian legislature ratifies the Belovezha agreement establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev discuss the transfer of powers as the Soviet Union approaches dissolution.

Joins leaders of former Soviet republics at Alma-Ata as the Commonwealth of Independent States expands.

Speaks by telephone with George H. W. Bush as the United States prepares formal recognition of Russia.

Russia assumes the Soviet Union's United Nations membership and Security Council seat.

Assumes Russia's central responsibility for the former Soviet strategic nuclear arsenal after Gorbachev leaves office.

Signs measures allowing expanded private ownership and transfer of land as part of market reforms.

Price controls are largely lifted as Yeltsin's government begins rapid market liberalization.

Signs a decree expanding freedom of domestic trade as part of the transition to a market economy.

The Russian legislature confirms Russia's participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Joins George H. W. Bush in declaring that Russia and the United States no longer regard each other as potential adversaries.

Meets President George H. W. Bush at Camp David to discuss the post-Cold War relationship and strategic arms.

Agrees with George H. W. Bush on major strategic nuclear reductions and a new post-Cold War relationship.

Signs a bilateral cooperation treaty with French President François Mitterrand.

Transfers day-to-day leadership of the Russian government to acting prime minister Yegor Gaidar.

Reaches agreement with George H. W. Bush on reductions beyond START I, laying the groundwork for START II.

Addresses a joint meeting of the United States Congress and presents Russia's democratic and market transition.

Agrees with George H. W. Bush to explore cooperation on missile warning and defenses against limited ballistic attacks.

Signs the Washington Charter on American-Russian Partnership and Friendship during a state visit.

Addresses the Canadian Parliament and presents Russia's transition from Soviet rule toward democratic government.

Meets G7 leaders in Munich to seek economic support for Russia's market transition.

Approves the framework for mass voucher privatization of state enterprises.

Postpones a planned visit to Japan amid disagreement over the disputed southern Kurile Islands.

Appeals for debt rescheduling and greater Western investment during a visit to Britain.

Tells visiting US senators that archival evidence exists concerning Americans held in the Soviet Union after earlier wars.

Reorganizes the government around Viktor Chernomyrdin after parliament blocks Yegor Gaidar's confirmation.

Accuses the Congress of People's Deputies of obstructing reform as the struggle between president and parliament deepens.

Appoints Viktor Chernomyrdin prime minister after parliament refuses to confirm Yegor Gaidar.

Argues that the heavily amended Soviet-era Russian constitution is unsuitable for the new political system.

Promotes parliamentary approval of START II as a central element of post-Cold War nuclear arms reductions.

Signs the START II Treaty with George H. W. Bush, requiring deep reductions in strategic nuclear weapons.

Calls a nationwide referendum on confidence in the president and the government's reform course.

Survives an impeachment vote in the Congress of People's Deputies after opponents fail to reach the required majority.

Meets Bill Clinton at Vancouver for their first presidential summit and discusses economic reform, aid and strategic security.

Welcomes a United States assistance package supporting privatization, humanitarian aid and nuclear dismantlement after the Vancouver summit.

Wins a nationwide referendum vote of confidence in his presidency and reform programme.

Treats the referendum result as political backing for continued reform despite persistent conflict with parliament.

Convenes a constitutional assembly to draft a new basic law for the Russian Federation.

Joins political discussions with G7 leaders in Tokyo as Russia's participation in major international economic summits expands.

The last Russian troops withdraw from Lithuania during Yeltsin's presidency.

Issues Decree 1400 dissolving the Supreme Soviet and Congress of People's Deputies, triggering a constitutional confrontation.

Calls elections for a new bicameral Federal Assembly while dissolving the existing Soviet-era legislature.

Temporarily restricts organizations implicated in the armed confrontation surrounding the Russian parliament.

Moves ahead with plans for a December constitutional referendum after the parliamentary confrontation ends.

Declares emergency measures in Moscow as armed clashes escalate between the presidency and parliamentary opponents.

Orders security forces to defend key government and broadcasting facilities during armed attacks in Moscow.

Government forces regain control after armed clashes with parliamentary opponents in Moscow.

Oversees elections to the new State Duma held alongside the constitutional referendum.

Voters approve a new constitution establishing a strong presidency and a bicameral Federal Assembly.

Hosts Bill Clinton for a Moscow summit focused on security cooperation, economic reform and the post-Cold War partnership.

Signs a trilateral statement with Bill Clinton and Leonid Kravchuk advancing the removal of strategic nuclear warheads from Ukraine.

Delivers his first annual presidential address and urges a stronger social dimension to economic reform.

Supports a Civic Accord intended to reduce political confrontation and stabilize relations among major institutions and political groups.

Continues large-scale privatization of state enterprises as the government restructures the post-Soviet economy.

Russia joins NATO's Partnership for Peace programme during Yeltsin's presidency.

Signs the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a new framework for relations between Russia and the European Communities.

Addresses the United Nations General Assembly during his state visit to the United States.

Begins a state visit to the United States for talks with President Bill Clinton.

Approves measures leading to the deployment of federal troops against the separatist government in Chechnya.

Joins the United States and United Kingdom in giving security assurances to Ukraine after its commitment to relinquish nuclear weapons.

Orders federal forces into Chechnya, beginning the First Chechen War.

Federal forces capture most of Grozny after heavy fighting during the First Chechen War.

Signs the legal framework governing the 1996 Russian presidential election.

Meets Bill Clinton in Moscow during commemorations of the fiftieth anniversary of victory in Europe.

Faces a major political crisis after Chechen militants seize hostages in Budennovsk.

Joins leaders at the Halifax economic summit as Russia's participation in major-power meetings expands.

Removes senior security officials after criticism of the government's handling of the Budennovsk hostage crisis.

Discusses Bosnia peace implementation and possible Russian participation alongside NATO forces with Bill Clinton.

Meets Bill Clinton at Hyde Park for talks on Bosnia, NATO, arms control and Chechnya.

Faces a strengthened Communist opposition after the party makes major gains in the State Duma election.

Reorganizes the government after winning re-election and begins preparing a new programme of economic and administrative reforms.

Announces his campaign for a second presidential term while his approval ratings remain low.

Announces a programme seeking a ceasefire, phased troop withdrawals and negotiations over the Chechen conflict.

Signs an integration agreement with Belarus creating a Community of Russia and Belarus.

Is formally registered as an independent candidate for re-election as Russian president.

Hosts G7 leaders for a summit focused on nuclear safety and holds bilateral talks with Bill Clinton.

Appoints Alexander Lebed Secretary of the Security Council after the first round of the presidential election.

Finishes first in the opening round of the presidential election but falls short of an outright majority.

Brings third-place candidate Alexander Lebed into his administration between the two rounds of the presidential election.

Defeats Communist challenger Gennady Zyuganov in the second round and wins a second presidential term.

Takes the oath for a second presidential term after defeating Gennady Zyuganov.

Authorizes negotiations that produce the Khasavyurt agreements ending large-scale fighting in the First Chechen War.

Dismisses Security Council Secretary Alexander Lebed after growing rivalry inside the presidential administration.

Undergoes successful coronary artery bypass surgery in Moscow and later resumes presidential duties.

Temporarily transfers presidential powers to Viktor Chernomyrdin while undergoing heart surgery.

Resumes presidential authority after the successful heart bypass operation.

Promotes younger reformers, including Anatoly Chubais and Boris Nemtsov, to senior government posts.

Launches a reform agenda known as the Seven Main Tasks, emphasizing wage arrears, social support, monopolies and corruption.

Meets Bill Clinton in Helsinki for talks dominated by NATO enlargement and strategic arms control.

Agrees with Bill Clinton to deepen NATO-Russia consultation while continuing to oppose NATO enlargement.

Meets Jiang Zemin as Russia and China deepen their strategic partnership and coordinate on international issues.

Signs a union treaty with Belarus that deepens political and economic integration.

Signs a peace treaty with Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov pledging to reject force in future relations.

Signs the NATO-Russia Founding Act, establishing a formal framework for consultation and security cooperation.

Participates in the Denver summit as Russia becomes more fully integrated into meetings of leading industrial powers.

Reaches agreement with Jiang Zemin on demarcation of most of the long eastern Russia-China border.

Removes senior officials linked to a publishing-fee scandal while retaining Anatoly Chubais in government.

Uses his annual address to criticize the pace of government reform and demand stronger economic management.

Dismisses Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and his cabinet and nominates Sergei Kiriyenko.

Nominates Sergei Kiriyenko as prime minister after dismissing Viktor Chernomyrdin's cabinet.

Secures State Duma confirmation of Sergei Kiriyenko after repeated parliamentary resistance.

Participates in the Birmingham summit as Russia takes part in the political work of the Group of Eight.

Faces a severe financial crisis marked by default, banking failures and a sharp devaluation of the ruble.

Confronts a financial emergency after the government restructures domestic debt and allows the ruble to fall.

Attempts to restore Viktor Chernomyrdin as prime minister after dismissing Sergei Kiriyenko.

Dismisses Sergei Kiriyenko's government during the financial crisis and initially seeks Chernomyrdin's return.

Hosts Bill Clinton for a summit focused on nuclear security, arms control and the Russian financial crisis.

Discusses strategic arms reductions and nuclear security with Bill Clinton during the Moscow summit.

Faces parliamentary rejection of Viktor Chernomyrdin's return as prime minister during the aftermath of the financial crisis.

Accepts Yevgeny Primakov as prime minister after the Duma rejects Yeltsin's preferred return of Viktor Chernomyrdin.

Strongly condemns NATO's bombing campaign against Yugoslavia and warns that it damages relations with Russia.

Dismisses Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and nominates Sergei Stepashin.

Survives a State Duma attempt to impeach him on five separate charges.

Secures State Duma approval of Sergei Stepashin as prime minister.

Appoints Sergei Stepashin prime minister after dismissing Yevgeny Primakov.

Attends the Cologne summit for talks on global economic issues, Kosovo and Russia's relations with Western governments.

Agrees with Bill Clinton to prepare further strategic arms talks after Russian ratification of START II.

Dismisses Sergei Stepashin, appoints Vladimir Putin acting prime minister and identifies him as his preferred successor.

Publicly identifies Vladimir Putin as the politician he wants to succeed him as president.

Sees the State Duma confirm Vladimir Putin as prime minister one week after his appointment.

Backs the federal military campaign that expands from Dagestan into Chechnya during the final months of his presidency.

Promotes parliamentary ratification of the new Union State treaty with Belarus.

Signs the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Meets Jiang Zemin for talks on bilateral relations, Chechnya and Taiwan.

The Kremlin-backed Unity movement performs strongly in the State Duma election shortly before Yeltsin's resignation.

Records a final televised address explaining his early resignation and asking Russians for forgiveness for unmet expectations.

Announces his resignation in a televised address and transfers presidential powers to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Leaves the Kremlin after transferring acting presidential authority to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Publishes a memoir of his second presidential term, political struggles and decision to resign.

Lives largely outside day-to-day politics after leaving the presidency while occasionally commenting on public affairs.

Marks his seventieth birthday with public recognition of his role as Russia's first elected president.

Continues to defend constitutional government and the importance of democratic institutions in post-Soviet Russia.

Dies in Moscow at age seventy-six after a long period of declining health.

Receives a state funeral in Moscow attended by Russian leaders and foreign dignitaries.