Svanidze Nikolai Karlovich: biography, nationality

Information about Svanidze

Svanidze Nikolai Karlovich is a public person, familiar to Russians from the television programs “Details”, “Mirror”, “Contrasts”, “Replica”, “Historical Chronicles with Nikolai Svanidze”. The intelligentsia listens to the professor’s opinion, the journalist enjoys authority in the professional community, Nikolai Karlovich’s original stories about great personalities and events are captivating. Svanidze shows tolerance and tact, even when the heat of passion forces his opponents to say rash words.

Nikolai Karlovich is in demand as an expert in issues of Russian history, journalism, and social science. He also:

• heads the department of the Institute of the Russian State University for the Humanities;
• from 2005 to 2014 he worked as a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation;
• earned the academic title of professor;
• Member of the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society.

Nikolai Karlovich Svanidze stands out for his professionalism and integrity in the motley journalistic environment. The biography of this person is connected with his hometown, Moscow. Over the years of responsible work, Svanidze has not stained himself with corruption, being a man of high Russian culture, brought up in its traditions. He considers Sholokhov’s “Quiet Don” to be the best book in the world, and loves rereading “The Master and Margarita.” For him, Russian is the main language that determines the life of the Fatherland. Nikolai Karlovich knows the history of his homeland as few people do.

The journalist conducts news programs with dignity and competence, for which he was awarded the highest Russian journalistic award, the Tefi Prize.

Svanidze, Nikolai Karlovich

Born on April 2, 1955 in Moscow. His father, Karl Nikolaevich Svanidze (1921-2011), worked in the management of the Publishing House of Political Literature of the CPSU Central Committee (Politizdat). Mother - Ada Anatolyevna (1929-2016) - Doctor of Historical Sciences, specialist in the history of the Middle Ages.

In 1977, Nikolai Svanidze graduated from the Faculty of History of Moscow State University. M. V. Lomonosov.

After receiving higher education, he worked as a junior researcher at the Institute of the USA and Canada of the USSR Academy of Sciences (now the Institute of the USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences). In 1990-1991 taught at the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives (now Russian State University for the Humanities, RSUH). Since 1991, Nikolai Svanidze has worked on television. He was a commentator on the Vesti program, author and presenter of the Contrasts and Details programs (RTR television channel). In 1996-2007 - author and presenter of the information and analytical program “Zerkalo” (RTR, “Russia”). In 1996 - Deputy Chairman of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) Eduard Sagalayev, Head of the Directorate of Information and Political Programs. From February 1997 to May 1998, Nikolai Svanidze was the chairman of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. Subsequently, he was replaced in this post by the future Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoy. In 2003-2013 - author and presenter of the series of documentary programs “Historical Chronicles with Nikolai Svanidze” (“Russia”, “Russia-1”). Since 2007 - Head of the Department of Journalism, Faculty of Journalism, Institute of Mass Media, Russian State University for the Humanities. Since 2010 - head of the Institute of Mass Media of the Russian State University for the Humanities. Member of the Academic Council of the Russian State University for the Humanities. Since 2013, he has been collaborating with the “Silver Rain” radio station and is a regular participant in the “Results of the Week” program. Author of a number of documentaries. Among them: “BN” (about the first president of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin; 2006), “13 months of Yegor Gaidar” (2010), “XX Congress. Anniversary" (2016). Author of the collection of essays “Politics, Women, Football” (2006). In collaboration with his wife Marina, Svanidze published the book “Medvedev” (2008, a collection of conversations with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the Government in 2005-2008 and 2012-2020, President of the Russian Federation in 2008-2012), as well as a number of books in the series “ The death of an empire. Our history" (2019). In collaboration with Ilya Vasiliev, he published the collection “Sobibor. Return of the feat of Alexander Pechersky" (2018).

Member of the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights (Chairman of the Standing Commission on Civil Liberties and Civic Engagement). Member of the Academy of Russian Television, presidium of the Moscow Union of Journalists. Member of the public council of the Russian Jewish Congress. Nikolai Svanidze was a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation (2005-2014), the Commission for Countering Attempts to Falsify History to the Detriment of the Interests of Russia (2009-2012) Co-founder of the Perspective Foundation for Support of Non-Profit Organizations.

Awarded the Order of Personal Courage (1994) and the Order of Honor (2001).

Winner of the TEFI Award in the category “Best News Broadcast Presenter” (1995, “Details”).

Married. Wife - Marina Svanidze - journalist, editor.

Biography. Family, childhood

The future Journalist with a capital J was born and raised in Moscow.

Svanidze Nikolai Karlovich has Georgian roots on his mother’s side and Jewish on his father’s side. The nationality of Nikolai’s grandfather on his mother’s side is Georgian, he was shot in 1937. Incorrect information has been spread about his relationship with Stalin’s wife Ekaterina Semyonovna. The journalist’s ancestor was simply the namesake and namesake of her cousin.

Paternal grandmother Tsilya Isaakovna was a member of the Bolshevik party; she lost her husband in 1937 due to repression. She was a kind woman and attentive to those around her, and did not express her experiences outwardly.

Svanidze’s father went through the war, worked as deputy editor-in-chief of Politizdat, defended the Motherland at the front and at the same time was disloyal to Stalin’s regime. Nikolai’s mother taught history at Moscow State University as a teacher, specializing in Scandinavian countries.

From the biography of Nikolai Svanidze

The future historian and public figure was born on April 2, 1955 in the capital of the USSR.
His father was named Karl in honor of the leader of the world proletariat, Karl Marx. By education, my father was a historian. He went through the war, and began his career as a guide at the capital's Polytechnic Museum. Nikolai Karlovich’s mother was also a specialist in history. She was seriously engaged in studying issues of the European Middle Ages. Being a professor and doctor of science, Adelaida Anatolyevna was also creative - she wrote poetry.

Nikolai Svanidze’s grandfather was repressed and sentenced to death in 1937. My grandmother was Jewish by nationality. She was part of the circle of revolutionaries, was familiar with Trotsky and Kamenev, and was friends with Bukharin’s wife.

Nikolai Karlovich decided to follow the path that his parents paved. After graduating from school with in-depth study of English, the young man entered Moscow State University. In his third year, he joined the ranks of the Communist Party, which he left after the collapse of the great power.

For about ten years, Svanidze taught history at the Institute of North America at the USSR Academy of Sciences. He also gave lectures at the Moscow Humanitarian Institute. Svanidze has visited the United States more than once.

Family, hobbies

Svanidze Nikolai Karlovich is married. He met his future wife Marina Zhukova quite by accident, even before his television career. Marina also works as a journalist, and they often implement joint projects. The couple raised a son, Vitaly, who is married and has a daughter, Marianna.

Outside of work, Svanidze enjoys reading, swimming, loves playing football, and adores his dog. Among men's hobbies, he prefers collecting high-quality whiskey and cigars. Nikolai Karlovich’s family loves to relax in Palanga.

Family

• Grandfather - Svanidze, Nikolai Samsonovich, Soviet statesman and party leader.
• Father - Karl Nikolaevich Svanidze (born 1921), one of the leaders of Politizdat under the CPSU Central Committee.
• Mother - Adelaida Anatolyevna Svanidze (1929-2016)[28][29], medieval historian, specialist in Scandinavia, taught at Moscow State University and Russian State University for the Humanities.
• Wife - Marina Sergeevna Zhukova, journalist, editor-in-chief of the TV program “Mirror”[30][31]. Son - Vitaly. Granddaughter - Marianna.

Career as a journalist, TV presenter

Svanidze Nikolai Karlovich came to television at the invitation of his friend Evgeniy Kiselev. Before that, I had no hope of getting into this broadcasting authority because of the Soviet practice of discrimination against Jews. By that time, Nikolai had passed the candidate minimum and written two-thirds of the dissertation, but the TV worker’s salary turned out to be three times more than he received.

Nikolai Karlovich began his career by preparing analytics and information for television programs. Svanidze learned the basics of the state television machine VGTRK, so that in a couple of years he would become at the helm of the company. He was appointed the country's chief television man under Yeltsin. He held this post from October 1997 to May 1998.

Career of Nikolai Svanidze

Nikolai Svanidze began his career as a public figure and television journalist in 1990. From his friend Evgeny Kiselev, he received a flattering offer - to be a commentator on the Vesti program. For Svanidze, this was a chance not only to work on television, but also to improve his financial situation: the salary here was several times higher than the institute salary.

The opportunity to influence the mood of the audience excited the imagination of Nikolai Karlovich. Those who watched the VGTRK channel could see the journalist in the programs “Details”, “Contrasts”, “Court of Time”, “Mirror”, “Historical Process”.

Svanidze's successes in journalism were noticed. He became the head of a television company. In 1994, Nikolai Karlovich was awarded the Order “For Personal Courage” after his coverage of the events of October 1993.

In subsequent years, Svanidze successfully led the “Minority Report” project. Since 2005, he has become a member of the Public Chamber. Later, Svanidze participated in the organization of the Right Cause party. Nikolai Karlovich is a member of the Human Rights Council under the head of the Russian state. In a series of broadcasts on the Ekho Moskvy radio, Svanidze introduces listeners to his views on the history of Russia.

Nikolai Svanidze has been married for over thirty years. His chosen one was Marina Zhukova, a journalist. A son was born into the Svanidze family. He himself is already married and has a daughter.

In harmony with conscience

According to Nikolai Karlovich Svanidze, under Boris Nikolaevich, journalists could breathe easily due to minimal censorship. Svanidze felt inspired by leading a vibrant journalistic team. In addition to the hero of our article, future stars worked there: Evgeny Kiselev, Svetlana Sorokina, Sergey Dorenko, Vladislav Flyarkovsky. A team of like-minded people launched a successful information program “Vesti”.

The same team also implemented another wonderful project - “Details”. In his journalistic work, Svanidze emphasized professionalism, objectivity and creativity.

Once in Svanidze’s entire career, Nikolai Karlovich showed loyalty to a government official. This happened in 1996, when Yeltsin and Zyuganov competed for the presidency. The journalist understood that if the communists won, the totalitarian party would crush both journalism and freedom of speech.

Successful historical super-project implemented by Svanidze

Nikolai Karlovich is sensitive to the history of Russia, rich in events and personalities. The professor's talent and patriotism were fully demonstrated in the new project. People liked the series of TV shows “Historical Chronicles with Nikolai Svanidze.”

Russians liked Svanidze’s journalistic interpretation of great destinies and events. It is available online and in demand.

Unexpectedly for compatriots, the project was closed, despite its popularity. The series about 1994 was the last. An objective historical assessment of current politicians turned out to be undesirable.

Nikolai Svanidze - biography, personal life, photo

Journalist and historian Svanidze Nikolai Karlovich, his biography on Wikipedia, personal life and photos on Instagram, family, wife, children and nationality are of interest to many TV viewers.

Nikolai Svanidze - biography

Nikolai Karlovich was born in 1955 in Moscow. The boy was named after his grandfather, Nikolai Samsonovich Svanidze, who was sentenced to death in 1937. There is a version that Nikolai Samsonovich was a distant relative of Stalin’s first wife, Ekaterina Semyonovna Svanidze , but when the question arises in an interview whether Nikolai Svanidze and Stalin are relatives, Nikolai Karlovich himself denies this relationship.

Nikolai studied at a school with in-depth study of the English language, and when he graduated from it, he entered Moscow State University at the Faculty of History. Having received a diploma in history, Svanidze began teaching history at the Institute of the USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and worked in this position until 1990.

Perestroika dramatically changed the life of Nikolai Karlovich. His school friend Evgeny Kiselev makes him an unexpected offer - to become a commentator on the Vesti program, to which Nikolai agrees. Despite the fact that at the beginning he does not appear in the frame, but only writes comments and voices them, his work captivates him, excites his imagination and brings him satisfaction. And soon Svanidze himself appears on the screens as the host of some programs - “Contrasts”, “Mirror”, “Details”, “Historical Process” and “The Court of Time”.

Work in this field is very successful and in 1995 he was awarded the TEFI Prize as the best news presenter.

In 1996, the journalist already occupied the post of deputy television company VGTRK, and a year later he became its chairman.

With the advent of the 21st century, the scope of his professional activities expands even further. He hosts various analytical programs on the RTR channel, records several programs for Russian radio as part of the “Minority Report with Nikolai Svanidze” series, and also creates a number of documentaries that are shown on leading channels - “Hot August 91”, “B. N.”, “Football Wars”, “13 Months of Yegor Gaidar”, “Fried Chicken”, and others.

In 2005, Nikolai Karlovich was elected to the Public Chamber of Russia, in 2008 he created the Right Cause party, and is currently a member of the Human Rights Council under the President of Russia.

The journalist even tries himself as an actor. In 2006, he was offered to star in the television series “Stalin’s Wife,” where he plays Alyosha Svanidze, the brother of Ekaterina Svanidze.

Historical chronicles with Nikolai Svanidze

But, nevertheless, Svanidze’s main project, the development of which, starting in 2003, he spent ten years, is “Historical Chronicles”. This series of 96 episodes tells the story of the path that Russia took from 1901 to 1994. True, the project has caused mixed opinions. The author's liberal view of the historical processes taking place in Russia led to heated debates between supporters and opponents of this approach.

But the activities of the outstanding historian and journalist are not limited to this. He devotes a lot of time to teaching. At the Humanitarian University, he heads the department of journalism, and at the Moscow Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting he teaches journalism, educating students in the spirit of openness, independence and tolerance.

Nikolai Svanidze - personal life

The journalist's family life is stable and harmonious. For more than 30 years he has been living in a happy marriage with Marina Zhukova. Being a journalist by profession, she has been her husband’s assistant all her life in his work and endeavors, and currently works as editor-in-chief of the Mirror program.

The couple has an adult son, Vitaly, and a granddaughter, Marianna.

Online reviews

Now let's move on to viewing reviews. Nikolai Svanidze is an extraordinary person, and he is called by different names. Here are some headlines of articles about him found on the Internet:

• "Forger Karlush Svanidze."
• “Svanidze’s lies and Kurginyan’s impotence.”
• "Anti-Svanidze".
• “The enemy of Russia is Khazarian Svanidze.”
• “Postscripts from Svanidze.”
• “N.S. Russophobe?".
• "Friend of our enemies."

This begs questions. Why doesn’t Roskomnadzor stop this abomination written about a public citizen? After all, bloggers and providers are subject to control by this organization.

This dirt is poured against a person awarded the Russian Orders of Honor and “For Personal Courage.” Let us recall that Svanidze adequately outlined his personal position during the 1993 putsch. Boris Yeltsin trusted him in difficult times, as a person and a citizen, and the journalist never let the president down.

Millions of Russians understand that Nikolai Karlovich is suffering because of the government’s rejection of the ideas of democracy and liberalism. Viewers have been accustomed to seeing a journalist on screen for decades, but over the last three years this has happened noticeably less frequently. They have a natural question: “Where is Nikolai Karlovich Svanidze now?” Indeed, the fact seems strange: the professor, former journalist No. 1, is deprived by television channels of the opportunity to host his own program.

In such a situation, a phrase of biblical origin would be appropriate: “There is no prophet in his own country.”