Sergey Shoygu

Sergey Shoygu Сергей Кужугетович Шойгу
Minister of Emergency Situations Ministry of Emergency Situations
Incumbent
Assumed office 1994
Personal details
Born	Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoygu 21 May 1955 (1955-05-21) Chadan, Tuva, Russian SFSR
Nationality	Tuvan
Spouse(s)	Irina Shoigu
Children	Yulia Ksenia
Alma mater	Krasnoyarsk Polytechnical Institute
Profession	Civil engineer Civil servant
Signature
Military service
Awards

Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoygu (Russian: Серге́й Кужуге́тович Шойгу́) (born May 21, 1955) is a Russian political figure who has been Minister of Emergency Situations since 1994. He is a ethnic Tuvan and holds the military rank of General of the Army. He is also the President of the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers.

Early life and education

Shoigu was born Chadan, Tuva to a Tuvan father and a Russian mother. In 1977, Shoigu graduated from the Krasnoyarsk Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering. Following graduation in 1977, he worked in the construction industry for the next decade, advancing from low levels to become an executive. In 1988 he became a minor functionary in the Abakan branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and then in Komsomol for a couple of years. In 1990 he moved to Moscow from Siberia and was appointed Deputy Chief of State Architecture and Construction Committee of the Russian Federation.

Ministry of Emergency situations

In 1991, he was appointed the head of Rescuer Corps, which was later given more responsibilities and renamed first to the State Committee on Emergencies, and eventually to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, making Shoigu a government minister. He became popular because of his hands-on management style and high visibility during emergency situations, such as floods, earthquakes and acts of terrorism. In 1999 he became one of the leaders of the Russian pro-government party Unity. He was awarded the Russia's most prestigious state award - Hero of the Russian Federation - in 1999.

Personal life

Shoygu's father is an ethnic Tuvan and his mother is Russian. He is married to Irina Shoygu, and has two daughters (Yuliya, born 1977 and Kseniya, born 1991).

In his spare time, Shoigu enjoys sports such as football and horseback riding, and enjoys music of Vanessa Mae.

Controversial Russian scientist Viktor Petrik attempted to use Shoygu's name to market his water filters. Shoygu has requested that Petrik cease using his name to market products.

On May 16, 2011, Shoigu fired his personal driver surrounding a threat to shoot a motorist.