Tatyana Karimova

Tatyana Karimova

Karimova in February 2010
First Lady of Uzbekistan
In office
1 September 1991 – 2 September 2016
President Islam Karimov
Preceded by Position created
Succeeded by TBD
Personal details
Spouse(s) Islam Karimov (1967-2016; his death)
Children

Tatyana Akbarovna Karimova (Russian: Татьяна Акбаровна Каримова) is an Uzbek economist who held the position of First Lady of Uzbekistan from 1991 until 2016. The widow of former President Islam Karimov, she was a highly influential figure throughout her husband's rule. Karimova, together with Rustam Inoyatov, the head of the National Security Service, is expected to play a key role in choosing Karimov's successor.[1] However, observers believe it is unlikely that Karimova will seek to become the country's next president.[1]

Early life and family

Karimova, who is of Russian and Tajik origin, is from the Fergana Region.[2] Her family has been described as influential.[3] She has a sister, Tamara Sobirova. She worked as a researcher at the Institute of Economics of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.

Biography

Islam Karimov was previously married to his first wife, Natalya Petrovna Kuchmi, from 1964 until their divorce during the mid-1960s.[3] In 1967, he married Tatyana Akbarovna.[3] Tatyana Karimova was working as a researcher at the Institute of Economics at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan at the time of her wedding to Karimov.[3] They had two daughters, Gulnara Karimova (born 1972) and Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva (born 1978).

Tatyana Karimova accompanied with her daughter Lola and PM Mirziyoyev met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand on 6 September 2016

In 2013, a feud between Tatyana Karimova and her eldest daughter, Gulnara Karimova, spilled onto Twitter.[4] Gulnara Karimova accused her mother of trying to "destroy" for attempting to prevent the arrest of her cousin, Akbarali Abdullayev.[4] She also accused her younger sister, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, of sorcery.[4] Gulnara Karimova's Twitter account was suspended shortly after the accusations and she is believed to have been placed under house arrest in 2014.[4][5]

Karimova served as the first, and only, First Lady of Uzbekistan from the country's independence until Islam Karimov's death in 2016.[1] [6] She was known to engage in charity work and official state functions.[7] However, she was a highly influential advisor on many of her husband's policies.

Tatyana Karimova is expected to be a key figure in choosing her husband's successor, but probably won't seek the presidency herself.[1] She is seen as an ally of Rustam Inoyatov, the head of the National Security Service, who will also likely help choose Uzbekistan's next president.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 MacFarquhar, Neil (2016-08-29). "With Uzbekistan's Ruler Gravely Ill, Questions Arise on Succession". New York Times. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  2. ↑ "Первая леди Узбекистана Татьяна Каримова". Svobodnaya Pressa. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pannier, Bruce (2015-03-24). "Orphaned Dictator: The Making Of Uzbekistan's Islam Karimov". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Lillis, Joanna (2013-11-21). "Uzbekistan's ruling family feud spills into open with Twitter row". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  5. ↑ Walker, Shaun (2014-07-16). "Uzbekistan's feuding first family and the mystery of the president's missing daughter". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  6. ↑ "Obituary: Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov". BBC News. 2016-09-02. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  7. ↑ "Putins' divorce throws spotlight on 'first lady' role". BBC News. 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
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