# Bidzina Ivanishvili > Georgian billionaire and politician (born 1956) **Wikidata**: [Q57794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57794) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidzina_Ivanishvili) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bidzina-ivanishvili ## Summary Bidzina Ivanishvili is a Georgian billionaire and politician, born in 1956, who played a pivotal role in Georgian politics as the founder and leader of the Georgian Dream party. He is best known for his influence in business, particularly through investments in Russia, and for leading Georgia's political shift following the Rose Revolution. ## Biography - **Born**: February 18, 1956 - **Nationality**: Georgian - **Education**: Tbilisi State University; Russian University of Transport (formerly known as Moscow State University of Railway Engineering) - **Known for**: Founding the Georgian Dream party and leading Georgia's political transition post-Soviet era - **Employer(s)**: Himself (entrepreneur and investor); Georgian Dream (political leadership) - **Field(s)**: Politics, Business, Entrepreneurship ## Contributions Bidzina Ivanishvili has made significant contributions across multiple domains: - **Business Leadership**: Built and led major enterprises in sectors including metals, banking, and real estate, primarily during the 1990s and early 2000s in Russia. - **Political Influence**: Founded the Georgian Dream party in 2012, which became the ruling party in Georgia and shifted the country’s political direction. - **Education and Philanthropy**: Supported educational initiatives and infrastructure development in Georgia, including funding the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. - **International Relations**: Strengthened Georgia's geopolitical stance through strategic alliances and economic reforms. ## FAQs ### What is Bidzina Ivanishvili known for? Bidzina Ivanishvili is known for founding the Georgian Dream party, leading Georgia's political transformation, and amassing a fortune through strategic investments in Russia during the 1990s. ### Where did Bidzina Ivanishvili study? He studied at Tbilisi State University in Georgia and later at the Russian University of Transport in Moscow, which specializes in railway engineering. ### What role did Bidzina Ivanishvili play in Georgian politics? He founded the Georgian Dream party in 2012, which won parliamentary elections and marked a significant shift in Georgia's political landscape following the post-Soviet period. ### What businesses has Bidzina Ivanishvili been involved in? Ivanishvili built a business empire in Russia during the 1990s, focusing on sectors such as metals, banking, and real estate. His ventures were instrumental in shaping Georgia's economic policies after returning from exile. ### Has Bidzina Ivanishvili received any awards or recognition? Yes, he has been honored with the Knight of the Legion of Honour from France and the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude. ## Why They Matter Bidzina Ivanishvili's influence extends beyond personal wealth—he reshaped Georgian politics by founding the Georgian Dream party, which ended the dominance of the United National Movement and introduced new governance models. His return to Georgia from Russia in the 2010s marked a turning point in the country’s democratic evolution. As a financier and strategist, he also helped modernize Georgia’s economy and infrastructure, including funding cultural and religious landmarks like the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. His legacy lies in balancing nationalist sentiment with pragmatic international engagement. ## Notable For - Founding the Georgian Dream party, which led to a change in government in 2012 - Amassing a fortune through strategic investments in Russia during the 1990s - Being awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour by France - Receiving the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude - Funding the construction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi - Studying at two historically significant institutions: Tbilisi State University and the Russian University of Transport ## Body ### Early Life and Education Bidzina Ivanishvili was born on February 18, 1956. He pursued higher education in Georgia and Russia. He first attended Tbilisi State University, a prominent academic institution in Georgia established in 1918. Later, he continued his studies at the Russian University of Transport (formerly Moscow State University of Railway Engineering), an institution founded in 1896 by Nicholas II of Russia. The university, located in Moscow, is one of the largest specialized educational institutions in railway transport, with approximately 90,000 students. ### Business Career During the 1990s, Ivanishvili built a business empire in Russia, focusing on sectors such as metals, banking, and real estate. His ventures were particularly notable for their scale and strategic positioning during Russia's economic liberalization. He became one of the wealthiest individuals in the region, leveraging opportunities in post-Soviet markets. ### Political Involvement In 2012, Ivanishvili founded the Georgian Dream party, a populist political movement that won the parliamentary elections later that year. This marked a significant shift in Georgian politics, ending the dominance of the United National Movement that had governed since the Rose Revolution. As the leader of Georgian Dream, he played a central role in shaping Georgia’s domestic and foreign policy, emphasizing pragmatic reforms and closer ties with both the West and Russia. ### Contributions to Society and Culture Ivanishvili contributed significantly to Georgian society through philanthropy and infrastructure development. Notably, he funded the construction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, a major religious and cultural landmark in the capital. The cathedral, completed in the early 2000s, symbolizes national pride and spiritual revival in post-Soviet Georgia. ### Recognition and Awards Bidzina Ivanishvili has received several honors for his contributions: - **Knight of the Legion of Honour** – Awarded by France, recognizing his influence in international business and politics. - **Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude** – Acknowledging his contributions to Russian industry and education. ### International Ties and Influence His education and early career connected him to both Georgian and Russian institutions. His time at the Russian University of Transport placed him within a historically significant academic network, while his business dealings in Russia positioned him at the intersection of post-Soviet economic transformation. These connections enabled him to influence both nations' evolving political landscapes. ### Legacy and Impact Bidzina Ivanishvili’s legacy is defined by his dual role as a billionaire entrepreneur and political reformer. His leadership of Georgian Dream reshaped the country’s political trajectory, while his earlier business success in Russia demonstrated the potential for Georgian influence beyond national borders. Through strategic investments, cultural patronage, and political leadership, he remains a defining figure in modern Georgian history. ## References 1. [Source](https://1tv.ge/lang/en/news/bidzina-ivanishvili-ekaterine-khvedelidze-express-profound-sorrow-over-batumi-tragedy/) 2. Biographical Dictionary of Georgia 3. [Source](https://transparency.ge/en/post/oligarch-bidzina-ivanishvili-real-ruler-georgia-and-architect-georgias-pro-russian-shift) 4. [Source](https://www.occrp.org/en/scoop/slapped-with-sanctions-georgian-oligarch-ivanishvili-brings-assets-home) 5. [Source](https://www.legiondhonneur.fr/sites/default/files/lh20210101.pdf) 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. Munzinger Personen 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. Davos 2013 Participant List 10. BBC Things 11. Bloomberg Billionaires Index 12. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Bidzina_Ivanishvili-PZGPPW)