Georgij Vasiliev Composer Date of Birth: 22.06.1957 Country: Ukraine

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in Public Service and Business
3. Telecommunications Pioneer
4. Music and Musicals
5. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

George Leonardovich Vasilyev was born on June 22, 1957, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. After two years of formal piano lessons, he developed a passion for music and taught himself guitar. In 1973, he began composing his own songs.

Vasilyev graduated from Moscow State University (MSU) in 1979 with degrees in economic geography of the USSR and urban economics. He received a doctorate in geography, focusing on land value, a novel concept in the USSR where private land ownership was not yet recognized.

Career in Public Service and Business

In 1990, Vasilyev became Chairman of the Oktyabrsky District Executive Committee in Moscow, where he established Russia's first state property management agency. Subsequently, he advised Moscow's mayor on economic issues, initiating the restructuring of the city's administrative divisions.

From 1991 to 1992, Vasilyev headed the Moscow Commodity Exchange, introducing Russia's first futures trading system. Under his leadership, the exchange became one of the five largest in Europe by trading volume.

Telecommunications Pioneer

Vasilyev's entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue investment opportunities. In 1994, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors and later First Vice President of VimpelCom, the company behind the popular cellular network "Beeline." He played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the brand, which remains one of Russia's largest mobile service providers today.

In 1997, Vasilyev transitioned from delivering telecommunications to developing them. As President of Telkom, he founded Russia's first company to produce DECT standard radio telephones, known as "Goodwin."

Music and Musicals

Despite his demanding career in business, Vasilyev maintained his passion for music. In 1997, he established the production company "Link," which paved the way for his foray into the world of stage musicals.

Collaborating with Alexei Ivashchenko, Vasilyev co-wrote the libretto and music for the musical "Nord-Ost" (2002). He became the project's General Director and oversaw its acclaimed production.

Personal Life

Vasilyev has five children: Adaya, Viktor, Alexandra, Arseny, and Yakov. His eldest daughter, Adaya (known as Glafira), is an MSU graduate. Vasilyev has been married twice, and his first wife and daughter live in Sweden.