Sergey Lavrov is 76 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 21 March 1950.
Long-serving Russian Foreign Minister and veteran diplomat
Did you know?Outside of his diplomatic career, he is a keen sportsman who enjoys white-water rafting and writing poetry.
Quick facts
Date of birth21 March 1950
Age76
NationalityRussian
BirthplaceMoscow, Russia
Occupationdiplomat, politician, minister
Editor's Take:
Sergey Lavrov has been the public face of Russian diplomacy for two decades. He is sharp, sardonic and fluent in English. He has defended Moscow's positions from Georgia and Crimea to Syria and Ukraine. Western officials once saw him as a tough but professional counterpart. Since 2022 he has been under Western sanctions. Critics accuse him of defending aggression and spreading falsehoods. He remains one of Vladimir Putin's most durable officials.
Key Milestones
1972: Joins the Soviet foreign service
1994: Becomes ambassador to the United Nations
2004: Becomes Foreign Minister
2022: Defends the invasion of Ukraine
Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov (Russian: Сергей Викторович Лавров, IPA:; born 21 March 1950) is a Russian diplomat who has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2004. He is the country's longest-serving foreign minister since the Tsarist era.
