✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova

Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova Biography: Age, Career, Family and Más

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth31 August 1986

Age35 Years

BirthplaceDresden, East Germany (now Germany)

ProfessionTech executive, scientist, former acrobatic dancer

NationalityRussian

Marital statusDivorced

SpouseKirill Shamalov (married 2013, separated 2018)

FamilyFather - Vladimir Putin; Mother - Lyudmila Putina; Sister - Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova

Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova Biography

Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova is a Russian scientist and tech executive known for her work in neurotechnology and academic leadership. She has held roles

Early life and background

Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova was born on 31 August 1986 in Dresden, then part of East Germany. She grew up in a family that moved between Germany and Russia during her childhood; her early schooling included time at Peterschule in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and later attendance at the German School in Moscow.

Her birth name is reported as Yekaterina Vladimirovna Putina. At a young age she began using the surname Tikhonova. She studied Asian history at St. Petersburg University, where she originally intended to focus on Chinese history but ultimately majored in Japanese history. After completing her undergraduate studies in 2009, she pursued graduate study at Moscow State University, earning a master’s degree in physics and mathematics and defending a dissertation on mathematical aspects of vestibular mechanoreceptor correction.

Career

Tikhonova has combined academic research, technology leadership, and organizational work. She has published multiple research volumes following her dissertation and was publicly quoted in Russian media about technological approaches to modulating brain impulses.

She founded a non-profit called Innopraktika, established in close collaboration with Moscow State University. Innopraktika encompasses two foundations, the National Intellectual Development Foundation and the National Intellectual Reserve Centre, and has been involved in initiatives connecting the university with broader technology and talent development efforts. In 2020 she was named director of an artificial intelligence department at Moscow State University operating under Innopraktika.

Her professional profile is described as spanning science and tech executive roles, with a specialization in neurotechnology. She has been credited with contributing to projects tied to Russia’s defence industry and has been characterized as a tech executive whose work supports government and defence-related efforts.

Tikhonova has also been active in acrobatic rock ’n’ roll. Competing with partner Ivan Klimov, she placed fifth at the 2013 World Acrobatic Rock ’n’ Roll championship in Switzerland and second at the 2014 national championship in Russia. Her involvement in the sport led to an appointment as Vice President for Expansion & Marketing of the Acrobatic Rock n’ Roll World Federation in 2016.

Public profile

Tikhonova is widely reported as the younger daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin; her mother is identified as Lyudmila Putina. She has an older sister, Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova. Public accounts note that her family background and use of a different surname were intended for privacy and security during her formative years.

Her work and organizational roles have attracted international attention. U.S. authorities have publicly linked her to activities that they say support Russia’s defence sector, and in 2022 she was among individuals targeted by U.S. sanctions related to concerns about wealth and asset concealment linked to high-level Russian officials. Media and investigative sources have also reported that Innopraktika and affiliated projects have received substantial government grants.

Personal life

Tikhonova has been described in public records and reporting as having been married to Kirill Shamalov in February 2013; that marriage ended in separation in 2018. Her listed personal details include a height of approximately 171 cm (5 ft 7 in), gray eyes, and blonde hair.

Latest updates

Recent reporting cited her role at Moscow State University and Innopraktika, the allocation of large state grants to projects affiliated with those organizations, and actions by U.S. authorities that included sanctions and public statements about the possible concealment of assets involving close family members of senior Russian officials.

She continues to be identified publicly as a tech executive and scientist with a profile that spans academic research, organizational leadership, and applied neurotechnology work.
◈

Recent Work

Director of artificial intelligence department at Moscow State University

Named director in 2020 for an AI department established under Innopraktika at Moscow State University.

2020
Founder of Innopraktika

Established a non-profit in collaboration with Moscow State University, encompassing the National Intellectual Development Foundation and the National Intellectual Reserve Centre.

✦

Career Highlights

  1. Master’s degree in physics and mathematics; dissertation on mathematical problems related to vestibular mechanoreceptor correction
  2. Founder of Innopraktika, a non-profit linked to Moscow State University
  3. Appointed director of an AI department at Moscow State University in 2020
  4. Competitive acrobatic rock ’n’ roll athlete and Vice President for Expansion & Marketing of the Acrobatic Rock n’ Roll World Federation
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova born?

31 August 1986

What is Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova known for?

Tech executive, scientist, former acrobatic dancer

What is Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova’s marital status?

Divorced

Who is Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova married to?

Kirill Shamalov (married 2013, separated 2018)