Svetlana Medvedev

Svetlana Medvedev is the wife of Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin's hand-picked successor as President of Russia. She was reportedly a driving force behind Dmitry's rise to political power, and is expected to continue influencing her husband during his presidency.

Though she was educated in finance and economics,Sydney Morning Herald: How the steely Svetlana turned an academic into a president (March 3, 2008) Svetlana is popular in Russian celebrity circles. She is particularly well-known for her involvement in art and fashion shows, and her dedication to the Russian Orthodox Church.The Standard: Woman behind Putin's man (March 3, 2008)

She was reportedly a driving force that pushed the otherwise easygoing Dmitry to rise in the political ranks.The Standard: Woman behind Putin's man (March 3, 2008)

• Google News: Svetlana Medvedev
• The Age: A New Head of State or Merely a Figurehead? (March 4, 2008)
• The Sydney Morning Herald: How the Steely Svetlana Turned an Academic into a President (March 3, 2008)
• Monsters & Critics: Stilleto-Heeled Svetlana to be Russia's New First Lady (March 3, 2008)
  • "Born sometime in 1965, Svetlana's exact age is guarded like a state secret."
• The Standard: Woman Behind Putin's Man (March 3, 2008)
• Times Online: The Childhood Sweetheart Who Became First Lady of Glamour (March 2, 2008) WARNING: Pop-ups
  • "Mrs Medvedeva is being touted as the graceful new face of Russia, a modern woman equally at ease hanging out at parties with pop divas or devoting herself to charitable work with the Orthodox Church."
• The Moscow News: Potential First Lady of Russia Dazzles Critics (February 28, 2008)
• RIA Novosti: Svetlana Medvedev, Russia's Likely 1st Lady... (December 11, 2007)